HP Uncovers the Sandbox With SDP

Looking to help service providers unleash the energy of thousands of application developers, HP introduced new capabilities for its Service Delivery Platform that attracts Web 2.0 talent.

The HP SDP 3.0 now includes a virtual “sandbox” in which developers can create new Web-based applications (apps), widgets and mash-ups on the service provider’s wireless network. The platform gives non-telecom independent software developers the tools to build applications and personalized services that can enrich wireless offerings.

“The focus here is enabling service providers to tap into and monetize the Web 2.0 community and support them in animating develop communities within that space,” said Alberto Dosi, head of worldwide solution management of service delivery architecture and applications in the Communications & Media Solutions group at HP.

Dosi said HP has been evolving its SDP since 2001 when it was primarily a consulting and system integration approach. The consolidation of its intellectual capital from those engagements with its software led to a solutions program that resulted in the HP SDP 2.0 in November of 2007. SDP 2.0 featured the introduction of Service Oriented Architecture governance.

Norway’s Telenor worked with HP to create a central environment which its 12 operating companies around the world will use to meet with ISVs to evaluate new mobile services for its 168 million subscribers.

“Telenor is accelerating development of new revenue-generating services by providing ISVs with ready access to network service enablers through standard Web service-based interfaces,” said Håvard Alstad, Group Business Development/Research, Telenor ASA, in a statement..

HP’s new SDP includes specific resources to handle micro transactions and manage revenue sharing between the operators and their ISV partners.

Peter Mottishaw, senior analyst at Analysys Mason, said operators need communities of developers innovating around their service enablers to strengthen loyalty and monetize assets. “This is a complex undertaking, but HP solutions will move operators and developers forward,” he said.

One application developer, Paulo Glorias, director of business development at WIT Software, said the new HP technology allows non-telecom ISVs, such as his company, to build some very cool apps that tap into the unique capabilities of the wireless network.