Axione

Axione is a French company specialized in telecommunications infrastructure and digital services. As a key player in connectivity, Axione supports territories in France and internationally in their Public Initiative Network projects through the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of telecommunications networks, particularly fiber optic networks. The company is part of the Bouygues Group, through its subsidiary Bouygues Energies & Services, and employs several thousand people. It is a major player in the deployment and management of telecom infrastructures in France.

Missions

Axione commissioned Fasfox to implement an automated system for managing fiber optic product orders. The initial objective was to leverage the introduction of new passive FTTE (Fiber To The Enterprise) products at Axione to build a proof of concept aimed at automating order processing. Once this proof of concept was validated with Axione, we developed a comprehensive order management tool covering all fiber products, which is the subject of this case study.

Challenges

Managing a fiber order, from order intake to the actual activation of the fiber optic line, is a long and complex process. In this context, a business process or workflow is a set of tasks or steps that an order must follow from its creation to its full completion. It can be compared to an assembly line in a factory where each step must be completed in a specific order for the final product to be ready.

Here are the typical steps involved in delivering a fiber optic line:

• Order intake: This is the first step, where a customer orders fiber optic service for their home or business.
• Order validation: The team verifies that all information is correct and that the order can be processed.
• Planning: The installation is scheduled, including setting up an appointment with the customer.
• Technical preparation: Technicians prepare everything necessary for installation, such as equipment and documentation.
• Installation: Technicians install the fiber optic connection at the customer’s premises.
• Testing and activation: They ensure that everything works properly and activate the connection.
• Service delivery: The fiber optic line is now ready for use by the customer.

This workflow falls within the framework of fiber order interoperability in the telecommunications sector, governed by the Interop’Fibre protocol, a complex protocol designed to standardize business processes and tools across the national territory, open fiber deployment activities to competition, and ensure full traceability of operations.

The first step of the project therefore consisted in implementing a workflow engine to automate order management. This system would simplify order tracking for telecom teams, with the long-term objective of unifying order processes across different industrialized product ranges.

Solutions

Workflow Engine

To automate Axione’s order management, we used the BPMN (Business Process Model and Notation) standard. This modeling method structures and represents an organization’s activities, typically using graphical representations to visually illustrate the sequence of actions.

By injecting this static modeling into a workflow engine such as Camunda, we decoupled business modeling from the technical implementation of the different system components. Modeling processes in BPMN makes it possible to separate business logic from technical constraints, ensuring that the limitations of one do not impact the other. This abstraction also makes the technical implementation interchangeable.

More concretely, BPMN modeling enabled the creation of models that track the various tasks and activities related to fiber order management at Axione. Camunda reads the model and ensures that each step is executed automatically without human intervention, except when necessary.

Finally, the decoupling between business modeling and technical implementation means that, in this project, Fasfox started from Axione’s business specifications. We integrated them into the workflow so that the entire process could run in a fully automated manner.

Technical Specifications

To achieve the initial objectives, several technologies and standards were implemented, ensuring a robust and flexible solution.

API to Expose Services to the Frontend

For this project, we used Django REST Framework (DRF) to build APIs that expose services to the frontend. DRF is a powerful library for developing web APIs with Django. It enables secure and efficient data serialization and HTTP request handling.

Compatibility with the TMForum API Standard

Integration and compatibility with the TMForum API standard were essential for this project. TMForum provides a framework for application programming interfaces (APIs) that allow telecommunications systems to communicate in a standardized way. By adopting this standard, our solution ensures seamless interoperability with other systems and operators in the telecom industry.

External API Calls

To integrate third-party services such as Salesforce, our solution relies on libraries such as Zeep and Requests. Zeep is a Python library used for consuming SOAP services, while Requests facilitates HTTP calls, enabling smooth interaction with various external APIs.

Webhooks for Field Visit Management

Webhooks play a crucial role in managing field visits. They enable instant communication between the order management system and field teams. This approach ensures real-time updates of statuses and appointments.

Order Production Orchestration

The orchestration of order production business processes is handled via Camunda, a BPMN-based business process management platform known for its flexibility and efficiency. Camunda enables modeling, automating, and monitoring business processes, ensuring consistent execution of orders.

CSV File Management

The Interop’Fibre standard requires the exchange of CSV files between operators. Our solution separates CSV file handling using a dedicated daemon developed in Python with the standard CSV library. This separation ensures efficient file processing in parallel with other workflows.

Database

PostgreSQL is used as the relational database management system, providing robustness and optimal performance for storing and managing customer order data and other critical information.

Internal Communication

For communication between different system components, Kafka and Msgpack are used. Kafka is a distributed streaming platform that manages real-time data flows, while Msgpack is a fast and compact serialization format that optimizes data exchanges between services.

In summary, Fasfox used the BPMN specification to improve fiber order intake and order production management for Axione’s Commercial Operators (COs). Based on Axione’s business specifications, we created BPMN models for fiber order management. These BPMN models were then integrated into Camunda for process orchestration, making order management more efficient and less prone to errors.

Results and Benefits of the Project

Thanks to Fasfox’s intervention, the automation of fiber order intake at Axione generated significant results and numerous benefits for the organization and its partners. This would not have been possible without the implementation of the Interop’Fibre protocol, the use of the BPMN specification, the adoption of the Camunda workflow engine, and the backend and frontend systems we developed.

Results

• Improved operational efficiency

Order management was significantly accelerated thanks to process automation. Orders are now processed faster and more consistently. We also standardized the order intake method across different product ranges. As a result, service activation times for end customers have been reduced.

• Error reduction

Automation significantly reduced the number of human errors in order processing. Information transmitted between Commercial Operators (COs) and the Infrastructure Operator (IO) is now more accurate and complete, thanks to systematic validation of all incoming data.

• Enhanced monitoring and transparency

The business processes implemented and integrated into Camunda allow Axione to track, in real time, the status of orders received from COs. This has led to improved visibility and proactive management of potential delays or issues, ensuring higher customer satisfaction.

• International interoperability

The use of the TMForum standard ensures that Axione’s order management system is compatible with international operators.

Benefits

• Increased customer satisfaction

With a faster and more reliable order process, end customers benefit from smoother and quicker service delivery. The ability to transparently track order progress also strengthens trust in Axione and its partners.

• Resource optimization

The reduction of manual tasks and minimization of errors allow Axione and COs to reallocate human and technical resources to higher value-added activities, improving overall productivity.

• Compliance and standardization

Adjustments made to comply with the TMForum 622 protocol standardized data presentation, ensuring compliance with industry standards and facilitating audits and quality controls.

• Adaptability and scalability

The automated system implemented is flexible and can be adjusted to integrate new COs or respond to future regulatory or technological changes. This adaptability ensures long-term sustainability and scalability.

The improvement of order intake, management, and tracking processes across Axione’s product ranges demonstrates the effectiveness of digital transformation solutions in the telecommunications sector. By combining BPMN modeling, automated workflows with Camunda, standardized protocols, and robust backend and frontend development, Fasfox optimized Axione’s internal operations and strengthened its relationships with commercial partners. Today, Axione is able to deliver a high-quality customer experience.

Conclusion

The transformation carried out by Fasfox at Axione perfectly illustrates the importance and benefits of automation and digitalization in the telecommunications sector. By integrating advanced technological solutions and adopting standardized protocols, Axione not only improved its operational efficiency but also enhanced the experience of its clients and partners.

This successful project highlights Fasfox’s ability to deliver innovative and effective solutions to its clients. We are proud to have designed a tailor-made solution for Axione in a constantly evolving industry.

Ultimately, innovation and automation are essential drivers of competitiveness and growth for telecommunications companies. Through its partnership with Fasfox, Axione successfully seized this opportunity to transform and prepare for tomorrow’s challenges.