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  • 1.  TMF 637 modelling - what is the product field in the product resource modelled for?

    TM Forum Member
    Posted Jan 06, 2022 15:09
    Hi, I am working on the implementation of 637 API. There's a "product" field in the "product" resource which I don't fully understand. In the API specs, it says "A list of product ref or values (ProductRefOrValue [*]). A product to be created defined by value or existing defined by reference. The polymorphic attributes @type, @schemaLocation & @referredType are related to the product entity and not the RelatedProductRefOrValue class itself."

    What are the use case(s) when there're embedded product(s) within a product? Not sure if it's designed for the bundle since there's a productRelationship field already.

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    Justin Yue
    Salesforce
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  • 2.  RE: TMF 637 modelling - what is the product field in the product resource modelled for?

    TM Forum Member
    Posted Jan 07, 2022 08:41
    Hi Justin,
    This Is a very good question!
    In most scenarios one would expect that the Order capture system has access to all the information required so that only references are required.
    But as we all know the world is never perfect and you also need to be able to handle corner cases.
    I will try to give an example.
    We have following productOfferings:
    ConnectivityPlus(NetworkProduct) -reliesOn-> ExpensiveRouter(GoodsProduct)
    The normal workflow supports new customer that by both products
    It also supports selling connectivityPlus to customers that already have an ExpensiveRouter.
    One would expect the Order capture system is capable to dig up the existing ExpensiveRouter from the ProductInventory.
    But what if that system is not fully up to date (because that never happens).
    By giving any other information about the other product (installed in this address, brandname, …) the back office might be able to resolve this.
    The model is not intended to embed a full product in another one, but merely to be able to provide any information that can help to resolve the issue.
    I hope this answer helps you.
    Regards


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    Koen Peeters
    OryxGateway
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  • 3.  RE: TMF 637 modelling - what is the product field in the product resource modelled for?

    TM Forum Member
    Posted Jan 09, 2022 04:33
    Adding some refinement to Koen's response. Within Product (inventory), we have two attributes that refer to other products:
    • product (the one you mentioned in your post) - this refers to a product that is strictly contained within the parent product. It all depends of course, on how you model in your product catalog, but an example might be an email box as a sub-product of broadband
    • productRelationship - this refers to a product that is not contained within the parent product but is related in some other way, e.g. dependent on, or enabling - hence the relationshipType attribute in ProductRelationship. Koen's use case with the router might be modeled in this way, especially if (as implied by its name) the customer can choose to buy the expensive router separately.
    Hope it helps

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    Jonathan Goldberg
    Amdocs Management Limited
    Any opinions and statements made by me on this forum are purely personal, and do not necessarily reflect the position of the TM Forum or my employer.
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