014 - The challenges and pitfalls awaiting OSS implementation teams with Michael De Boer

There are three distinct categories of organisations that interact with OSS/BSS - those who create them, those who use them and those who implement them. But no matter how good the first two are (ie the products / creators and the users), if the implementation isn't done well, then the OSS/BSS is almost pre-destined to fail. There are many, many challenges and pitfalls that await implementation teams. There's a reason why the Passionate About OSS logo is an octopus (the OctopOSS). Just when you think you have all the implementation tentacles under control, another comes and whacks you.

Our guest on this episode, Michael De Boer, has spent many years wrangling the OctopOSS. He's had implementation roles on the buyer / user side with companies like NextGen, but also on the implementer / integrator side with Pitney Bowes. He's also had ultimate accountability for OSS/BSS delivery as Managing Director of Dynamic Design Australia, where he had to quote and sell but also get hands-on with implementations. Now as Director of GQI (https://gqi.com.au), Michael leads integrations and consultancies that extend beyond OSS/BSS and into other areas of ICT.

Michael describes some of his important learnings on how to ensure your OSS/BSS implementation runs smoothly. He pays particular attention to the people management and data management aspects of any implementation, noting that these are vital components of any build.

For any further questions you may have, Michael can be found at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-de-boer-abb60b2 and via https://gqi.com.au.

Disclaimer. All the views and opinions shared in this podcast, and others in the series, are solely those of our guest and do not reflect the opinions or beliefs of the organisations discussed.