The Data Selection Tool (DST) allows you to selectively migrate data from a source Oracle Communications MetaSolv Solution database to a target MetaSolv Solution database of the same version. There are three modules: Product Catalog module, Equipment Spec module, and Provisioning Plan module.
The main benefit from using the Data Selection Tool is that you reduce the need to manually re-key data from one database to another. Manually re-keying data introduces opportunities for keyboarding errors, inefficiently uses valuable resources, and slows time-to-market cycles.
There are three common scenarios in which the Data Selection Tool is used. However, you can use it for any purpose of migrating products, equipment specs, and provisioning plans from one database to another.
Introducing new products, equipment, and provisioning plans: When developing new products, introducing new equipment, and modifying provisioning processes, you can build and test the records in a pre-production environment. This process allows you to do what-if scenarios and try out different solutions without impacting your production environment. When they are complete and validated, you can move them to the production environment.
Upgrading MetaSolv Solution: When you upgrade to a new release, you take a snapshot of the production database so you can both test the release and try out new functionality. As a part of implementing new functionality, you can modify equipment specs, product catalog, and provisioning plans. The Data Selection Tool allows you to make improvements to the functionality and include it into your production environment. This process allows you to incorporate new functionality without impacting the production environment.
Merging/acquiring other companies: If your company has acquired another company that also uses MetaSolv Solution, you can quickly merge equipment specs, product specs, and provisioning plans from the two companies. This process allows you to actively work on scenarios and select best practices.