We describe a next generation service creation environment (SCE), which is designed to support efficient service application development for IP networks. Considering the IP-network environment we extract the features required for the next generation SCE and propose an architecture for the next generation SCE based on design concepts to provide these features. In our approach, we do not create large components, such as service features, or construct chains of them. Instead, we define application-programming interface (API) control flows through which we utilize existing APIs, such as open APIs. Since service providers, such as ASPs and third parties, must have some knowledge of the APIs, this capability will enable the development of services that correspond to various service provisioning patterns as well as to differentiation of services from those offered by other providers, without the addition of service components. The feasibility and productivity of the next generation SCE are evaluated by developing sample services, including a general Voice over IP (VoIP) service using a Parlay API and a presence service using a presence and availability management (PAM) API. Evaluation shows that the environment not only assists in the development of service applications but also raises the productivity of the next generation SCE itself, thus confirming its effectiveness the rapid, economical development of high-quality IP network services.

This paper describes a computer-aided service creation environment (CSCE) for the intelligent network which supports easier graphical specification description for service designers of various skill levels, and service logic program (SLP) generation. The CSCE design concept consists of stepwise service specification description and SLP generation, message sequence chart description language (LSDL: Layered Service Specification Description Language), computer-aided sophisticated interface (IEDs: Intelligent Editors), automatic specification verification and rapid service prototyping. Service specification is described by three steps and in LSDL or SDL, and SLPs are generated through three converters referring to two knowledge databases. Three tests are conducted on the specifications described. The effectiveness of the CSCE is demonstrated by the results that the amount of SLP descriptions for five new practical services using the CSCE is reduced to less than about 20% in LSDL description, compared to C language description.

An advanced intelligent network (IN) provides service management along with telecommunication services, and has a two-layer architecture, i.e., a transmission layer and an intelligent layer. An advanced IN's programmability is achieved by a service-independent platform of nodes in the intelligent layer, and service-dependent software called logic programs. In contrast to telecommunication services, models for service management have not yet been established. This paper presents both execution and specification models for service management. The execution model is composed of three hierarchies that apply to various kinds of management operation. The specification model has the capability to define the details of data items. The specification language for service management is also proposed. Simulation on dynamic SQL based DBMS solved that; (1) Logic programs for service management can be made small size on the model, and (2) To provide efficient database operation, programmability must be enhanced if service management includes table with variable number of field operation.

The Advanced Intelligent Network (Advanced IN) is now commercialized and the Internet is becoming popular all over the world. If these two networks were connected, the potential would exist for new services. This paper surveys and analyzes the possibility of improving both the Internet and Advanced IN with an Advanced IN-the Internet connection. Service customization, which allows customers to define their own service specifications, is one of the most important service applications for the Advanced IN. However, some issues must be resolved before that service can be offered. This paper proposes a solution in which Internet technologies are applied to the IN. We review the system architecture of Service Logic Program (SLP) definition and execution in NTT's IN for service customization. Version management and cost for delivery are the major issue for service customization with the SLP(C) creation tool. We suggest an Internet version of the SLP(C) creation tool to solve these problems. Results of the prototype shows that connecting the IN and the Internet for service customization will benefit both customers and telecommunication operators.

This paper describes a verification scheme for service specifications and presents verification results for prototype system. Verified specifications are described by information sequence charts, which describe the communicating states between users and the messages between a user and a network. The verification scheme consists of two steps: macro sequence verification, which treats rough transitions of states, and transition procedure verification, which treats procedure of all messages. A prototype verification system demonstrates that this scheme can detect about 90% of errors in a specification within 4.4 seconds.