System, method and computer program product for achieving local number portability costing and network management support

• US 6,473,502 B1
• Filed: 08/31/1999
• Issued: 10/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: WorldCom, Inc. (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Karau, John, Turner, Anne, Bauer, Deborah, Usiskin, Greg
• Primary Examiner(s): Hong, Harry S.
• Application Number:
  US09/386,594
• Time in Patent Office: 1,155 Days
• Field of Search: 345/700, 345/762, 345/764, 379/221.13, 379/221.14, 379/201.01, 379/207.02
• US Class Current: 379/221.13
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/42 Graphical user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42144 by service provider
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42229 Personal communication services, i.e. services related to one subscriber independent of his terminal and/or location diverting calls from one subscriber to another subscriber, i.e. two different subscriptions H04M3/54; selecting arrangements in intelligent networks H04Q3/005
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42297 with number portability

Abstract

A system, method and computer program product for achieving local number portability (LNP) costing and network management support is disclosed. The disclosure includes a LNP graphical user interface (GUI) implemented as, for example, a WEB or Internet based tool to audit related charges, and to enable users to determine ported number status on a real-time basis.

Claims

1. An interface to a local number portability (LNP) network, comprising:

a communications link;

an engine interface;

a graphical user interface (GUI) coupled to said engine interface via said communications link;

said engine interface for transmitting data from said LNP network to said GUI via said communications link and transmitting data received from said GUI to said LNP network;

said GUI comprising means for providing screen displays to a user for performing LNP network maintenance functions including at least one of maintaining a service provider (SP), maintaining a numbering plan area-telephone number exchange (NPA-NXX), and maintaining local routing number (LRN);

said GUI comprising means for providing screen displays to a user for performing LNP subscription version (SV) maintenance functions including at least one of creating as a gaining SV, creating as a losing SV, activating a SV, modifying a SV, cancelling a SV, disconnecting a SV, acknowledging cancellation of a SV, resolving a conflict with a SV, and querying a SV;

said GUI comprising means for providing screen displays to a user for performing reconciling with a number portability administration center (NPAC) functions including at least one of initiating a NPAC audit, and querying a NPAC audit; and

said GUI comprising means for providing screen displays to a user for performing viewing of LNP notifications functions including at least one of viewing operational information notifications, viewing cancellation acknowledge notifications, viewing customer disconnect notifications, viewing create request notifications, viewing concurrence request notifications, viewing SV status change notifications, viewing final concurrence notifications, and viewing a first use of numbering plan area-telephone number exchange (NPA-NXX) notifications.

2. The interface to a LNP network of claim 1, wherein said engine interface comprises a service order administration (SOA) engine interface that routes one of LNP transactions and LNP messages received from said GUI to destinations including regional SOA subsystems.

3. The interface to a LNP network of claim 1, wherein said GUI screen display for maintaining a service provider comprises:

a maintain SP screen display for modifying or querying SP information, including,

fields for inputting query or modification information including a SP identification region and contact information,

means for submitting said query or modification information to said engine interface,

means for displaying query results received from said engine interface in response to said query or modification information, and

means for clearing input query or modification information; and

a list SP screen display, including,

a date and time of query or modification indicator,

means for listing SP information, and

means for printing listed SP information.

4. The interface to a LNP network of claim 1, wherein said GUI screen display for maintaining a NPA-NXX comprises:

a maintain NPA-NXX screen display for creating, deleting or querying a NPA-NXX, including,

fields for inputting query criteria including a query source, a query region, a SP identification, and a NPA-NXX range including a NPA-NXX start and a NPA-NXX end,

means for submitting said query criteria to said engine interface,

means for displaying query results received from said engine interface in response to said query criteria and including a date and time of query indicator,

means for printing said query results,

means for clearing input query criteria,

means for indicating a row count of said query results,

means for deleting a selected NPA-NXX from displayed query results, and

means for creating a NPA-NXX and which generates a create NPA-NXX screen display upon a user selecting said means for creating a NPA-NXX,

wherein said create NPA-NXX screen display, includes,

fields for inputting NPA-NXX information including a NPA-NXX, an effective date of creation, and a NPA-NXX region,

means for submitting said NPA-NXX information to said engine interface,

means for clearing input NPA-NXX information, and

means for cancelling said creating of said NPA-NXX.

5. The interface to a LNP network of claim 1, wherein said GUI screen display for maintaining a LRN comprises:

a maintain LRN screen display for creating, deleting, modifying or querying a LRN, including,

fields for inputting query criteria including a query source, a query region, a SP identification, and a LRN range including a LRN start and a LRN end,

means for submitting said query criteria to said engine interface,

means for displaying query results received from said engine interface in response to said query criteria and including a date and time of query indicator,

means for printing said query results,

means for clearing input query criteria,

means for indicating a row count of said query results,

means for deleting a selected LRN from displayed query results,

means for modifying a selected LRN from displayed query results,

means for creating a LRN and which generates a create LRN screen display upon a user selecting said means for creating a LRN,

wherein said create LRN screen display, includes,

fields for inputting LRN information including a LRN, and custom local area signaling services (CLASS) information, line information database (LIDB) information, caller identification with name (CNAM) information, and inter-switch voice mail (ISVM) information for a destination point code (DPC) and a subsystem number (SSN),

means for submitting said LRN information to said engine interface,

means for clearing input LRN information, and

means for cancelling said creating of said LRN.

6. The interface to a LNP network of claim 1, wherein said GUI screen display for creating as a gaining SV comprises:

a create as gaining screen display for creating a gaining SV, including,

fields for inputting create as gaining information including a SV region, a telephone number (TN) range including a TN start and a TN end,

a create as gaining form including fields for inputting old SP information, a port to original indication, a customer name, a due date, a billing identification, a reserved TN indication, a work order number, a service order number, remarks, an incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) NPA-NXX, a network switch common language location identifier (CLLI) indication, and a LRN,

an additional information form including fields for inputting custom local area signaling services (CLASS) information, line information database (LIDB) information, caller identification with name (CNAM) information, and inter-switch voice mail (ISVM) information for a destination point code (DPC) and a subsystem number (SSN), an end user location and type, and a means for pre-populating said DPC and SSN fields based on the LRN if manually entered,

means for submitting said create as gaining information and information input in said create as gaining and additional forms to said engine interface, and

means for clearing input create as gaining information and information input in said create as gaining and additional information forms.

7. The interface to a LNP network of claim 1, wherein said GUI screen display for creating as a losing SV comprises:

a create as losing screen display for creating a losing SV, including,

fields for inputting create as losing information including a SV region, a telephone number (TN) range including a TN start and a TN end, new SP information, a customer name, a due date, a LNP type, an old SP authorization indication, a status change cause, a work order number, a service order number, and remarks,

means for submitting said create as losing information to said engine interface, and

means for clearing input create as losing information.

8. The interface to a LNP network of claim 1, wherein said GUI screen display for activating a SV comprises:

an activate SV screen display for activating a SV including fields for inputting activate information including a SV region and identification, and a telephone number (TN) range including a TN start and a TN end,

means for submitting said activate information to said engine interface, and

means for clearing input activate information.

9. The interface to a LNP network of claim 1, wherein said GUI screen display for modifying a SV comprises:

a modify SV screen display for modifying a SV, including,

fields for inputting modify information including a SV region and identification, a telephone number (TN) range including a TN start and a TN end, a subscription version status indication, and means for selecting a modify as new SP and a modify as old SP,

wherein if modify as new SP is selected, said modify SV screen display, includes,

a modify as new form including modify as new SP information including fields for inputting a customer name, a due date, a billing identification, a reserved TN indication, a work order number, a service order number, remarks, an incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) NPA-NXX, a network switch common language location identifier (CLLI) indication, and a LRN, and

an additional information form including fields for inputting custom local area signaling services (CLASS) information, line information database (LIDB) information, caller identification with name (CNAM) information, and inter-switch voice mail (ISVM) information for a destination point code (DPC) and a subsystem number (SSN), an end user location and type, and a means for pre-populating said DPC and SSN fields based on the LRN if manually entered, and

wherein if modify as old SP is selected, said modify SV screen display includes modify as old SP information including fields for inputting a customer name, an old SP due date, an old SP authorization indication, a work order number, a service order number, remarks, and a status change cause indication;

means for submitting said modify information, said modify as new SP information, said modify as old SP information, and information input in said additional form to said engine interface; and

means for clearing input modify information, modify as new SP information, modify as old SP information, and information input in said additional form.

10. The interface to a LNP network of claim 1, wherein said GUI screen display for cancelling a SV comprises:

a cancel SV screen display for cancelling a SV including fields for inputting cancel information including a SV region and identification, and a telephone number (TN) range including a TN start and a TN end,

means for submitting said cancel information to said engine interface, and

means for clearing input cancel information.

11. The interface to a LNP network of claim 1, wherein said GUI screen display for disconnecting a SV comprises:

a disconnect SV screen display for disconnecting a SV including fields for inputting disconnect information including a SV region and identification, a telephone number (TN) range including a TN start and a TN end, a disconnect date, and an effective release date,

means for submitting said disconnect information to said engine interface, and

means for clearing input disconnect information.

12. The interface to a LNP network of claim 1, wherein said GUI screen display for acknowledging cancellation of a SV comprises:

a cancel acknowledgment screen display for acknowledging cancellation of a SV including fields for inputting acknowledgment information including a SV region and identification, and a telephone number (TN) range including a TN start and a TN end,

means for submitting said acknowledgment information to said engine interface, and

means for clearing input acknowledgment information.

13. The interface to a LNP network of claim 1, wherein said GUI screen display for resolving a conflict with a SV comprises:

a resolve conflict screen display for resolving a conflict with a SV including fields for inputting resolve conflict information including a SV region and identification, and a telephone number (TN) range including a TN start and a TN end,

means for submitting said resolve conflict information to said engine interface, and

means for clearing input resolve conflict information.

14. The interface to a LNP network of claim 1, wherein said GUI screen display for querying a SV comprises:

a query SV screen display for querying a SV, including,

a criteria form including fields for inputting query criteria including a query source selection, a telephone number (TN) range including a TN start and a TN end, a LRN, a SV identification and region, a LNP type indication, a SV status indication, a old SP authorization indication, a new SP due date range including a new SP due date start and a new SP due date end, a old SP due date range including an old SP due date start and an old SP due date end, an activation date range including an activation date start and an activation date end, a customer name, a work order number, a service order number, a ready to activate indication, a sent to data access point (DAP) indication, a user identification, a means for submitting said query criteria to said engine interface and a means for clearing input query criteria,

a results form for displaying query results received from said engine interface based on said query criteria and including a date and time of query, query results window, a query results row count indicator a means for refreshing said query results a means for printing said query results, and a means for providing query results details,

wherein said means for providing query results details provides details of a query result selected from said query results window and includes a general information form, a SV history information form, an additional information form, and a partial failure list form.

15. The interface to a LNP network of claim 1, wherein said GUI screen display for initiating a NPAC audit comprises:

an initiate NPAC audit screen display for initiating a NPAC audit, including,

fields for inputting audit information including a service provide (SP) to be audited, an audit name, a custom local area signaling services (CLASS) indication, a caller identification with name (CNAM) indication, a line information database (LIDB) indication, an inter-switch voice mail (ISVM) indication, local routing number (LRN) indication, and a all CLASS, CNAM, LIDB, ISVM, and LRN indication, a telephone number (TN) range including a TN start and a TN end, an activation date range including an activation date start and an activation date end, and a region,

means for submitting said audit information to said engine interface, and

means for clearing input audit information.

16. The interface to a LNP network of claim 1, wherein said GUI screen display for querying a NPAC audit comprises:

query audit screen display for querying a NPAC audit, including,

fields for inputting query criteria including a user identification, a audit identification, an audit name, a region, and an audit start date range including an audit date start and an audit date end,

a means for submitting said query criteria to said engine interface, and a means for clearing input query criteria,

an audit status summary window for displaying query results received from said engine interface based on said query criteria and including a date and time of query, query results window, a query results row count indicator, a means for cancelling query results, a means for printing said query results, and a means for providing query results details,

wherein said means for cancelling query results cancels a query result selected from said query results window,

said means for providing query results details provides details of a query result selected from said query results window including an audit identification, an audit name, a user identification, a SP identification, and

said means for providing query results details further includes a general information form for providing audit status information, a discrepancy report form for providing audit discrepancy information, and a scope of audit form for providing scope of audit information.

17. The interface to a LNP network of claim 1, wherein said GUI screen display for viewing operational information notifications, said means for viewing cancellation acknowledge notifications, said means for viewing customer disconnect notifications, said means for viewing create request notifications, said means for viewing concurrence request notifications, said means for viewing SV status change notifications, said means for viewing final concurrence notifications, and said means for viewing said first use of NPA-NXX notifications, each comprise:

a screen display for displaying information, based on query criteria including fields for inputting a date and time range including a date and time start and a date and time end, and a region,

a means for submitting said query criteria to said engine interface, and

a query results window for displaying query results received from said engine interface based on said query criteria,

means for printing said query results, and

means for clearing input query criteria,

wherein said means for viewing SV status change notifications further includes a notification results form for displaying SV status change notification results and a failed service provider (SP) form for displaying failed SP information.

18. A method for interfacing to a local number portability (LNP) network, comprising:

coupling a graphical user interface (GUI) to an engine interface via a communications link;

transmitting data, via said engine interface, from said LNP network to said GUI via said communications link and transmitting data received from said GUI to said LNP network;

providing screen displays to a user, via said GUI, for performing LNP network maintenance functions including at least one of maintaining a service provider (SP), maintaining a numbering plan area-telephone number exchange (NPA-NXX), and maintaining local routing number (LRN);

providing screen displays to a user, via said GUI, for performing LNP subscription version (SV) maintenance functions including at least one of creating as a gaining SV, creating as a losing SV, activating a SV, modifying a SV, cancelling a SV, disconnecting a SV, acknowledging cancellation of a SV, resolving a conflict with a SV, and querying a SV;

providing screen displays to a user, via said GUI, for performing reconciling with a number portability administration center (NPAC) functions including at least one of initiating a NPAC audit, and querying a NPAC audit; and

providing screen displays to a user, via said GUI, for performing viewing of LNP notifications functions including at least one of viewing operational information notifications, viewing cancellation acknowledge notifications, viewing customer disconnect notifications, viewing create request notifications, viewing concurrence request notifications, viewing SV status change notifications, viewing final concurrence notifications, and viewing a first use of numbering plan area-telephone number exchange (NPA-NXX) notifications.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said engine interface comprises a service order administration (SOA) engine interface that routes one of LNP transactions and LNP messages received from said GUI to destinations including regional SOA subsystems.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein said step of providing a screen display for maintaining a service provider comprises:

providing a maintain SP screen display for modifying or querying SP information, including,

providing fields for inputting query or modification information including a SP identification, region and contact information,

providing means for submitting said query or modification information to said engine interface,

providing means for displaying query results received from said engine interface in response to said query or modification information, and

providing means for clearing input query or modification information; and

providing a list SP screen display, including,

providing means for indicating a date and time of query or modification,

providing means for listing SP information, and

providing means for printing listed SP information.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein said step of providing a screen display for maintaining a NPA-NXX comprises:

providing a maintain NPA-NXX screen display for creating, deleting or querying a NPA-NXX, including,

providing fields for inputting query criteria including a query source, a query region, a SP identification, and a NPA-NXX range including a NPA-NXX start and a NPA-NXX end,

providing means for submitting said query criteria to said engine interface,

providing means for displaying query results received from said engine interface in response to said query criteria and including a date and time of query indicator,

providing means for means for printing said query results,

providing means for means for clearing input query criteria,

providing means for means for indicating a row count of said query results,

providing means for means for deleting a selected NPA-NXX from displayed query results, and

providing means for means for creating a NPA-NXX and generating a create NPA-NXX screen display upon a user selecting said means for creating a NPA-NXX,

said step of generating a create NPA-NXX screen display, includes,

providing fields for inputting NPA-NXX information including a NPA-NXX, an effective date of creation, and a NPA-NXX region,

providing means for submitting said NPA-NXX information to said engine interface,

providing means for clearing input NPA-NXX information, and

providing means for cancelling said creating of said NPA-NXX.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein said step of providing a screen display for maintaining a LRN comprises:

providing a maintain LRN screen display for creating, deleting, modifying or querying a LRN, including,

providing fields for inputting query criteria including a query source, a query region, a SP identification, and a LRN range including a LRN start and a LRN end,

providing means for submitting said query criteria to said engine interface,

providing means for displaying query results received from said engine interface in response to said query criteria and including a date and time of query indicator,

providing means for printing said query results,

providing means for clearing input query criteria,

providing means for indicating a row count of said query results,

providing means for deleting a selected LRN from displayed query results,

providing means for modifying a selected LRN from displayed query results,

providing means for creating a LRN and generating a create LRN screen display upon a user selecting said means for creating a LRN,

wherein said step of generating a create LRN screen display, includes,

providing fields for inputting LRN information including a LRN, and custom local area signaling services (CLASS) information, line information database (LIDB) information, caller identification with name (CNAM) information, and inter-switch voice mail (ISVM) information for a destination point code (DPC) and a subsystem number (SSN),

providing means for submitting said LRN information to said engine interface,

providing means for clearing input LRN information, and

providing means for cancelling said creating of said LRN.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein said step of providing a screen display for creating as a gaining SV comprises:

providing a create as gaining screen display for creating a gaining SV, including,

providing fields for inputting create as gaining information including a SV region, a telephone number (TN) range including a TN start and a TN end,

providing a create as gaining form including providing fields for inputting old SP information, a port to original indication, a customer name, a due date, a billing identification, a reserved TN indication, a work order number, a service order number, remarks, an incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) NPA-NXX, a network switch common language location identifier (CLLI) indication, and a LRN,

providing an additional information form including providing fields for inputting custom local area signaling services (CLASS) information, line information database (LIDB) information, caller identification with name (CNAM) information, and inter-switch voice mail (ISVM) information for a destination point code (DPC) and a subsystem number (SSN), an end user location and type, and a means for pre-populating said DPC and SSN fields based on the LRN if manually entered,

providing means for submitting said create as gaining information and information input in said create as gaining and additional forms to said engine interface, and

providing means for clearing input create as gaining information and information input in said create as gaining and additional information forms.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein said step of providing a screen display for creating as a losing SV comprises:

providing a create as losing screen display for creating a losing SV, including,

providing fields for inputting create as losing information including a SV region, a telephone number (TN) range including a TN start and a TN end, new SP information, a customer name, a due date, a LNP type, an old SP authorization indication, a status change cause, a work order number, a service order number, and remarks,

providing means for submitting said create as losing information to said engine interface, and

providing means for clearing input create as losing information.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein said step of providing a screen display for activating a SV comprises:

providing an activate SV screen display for activating a SV including providing fields for inputting activate information including a SV region and identification, and a telephone number (TN) range including a TN start and a TN end,

providing means for submitting said activate information to said engine interface, and

providing means for clearing input activate information.

26. The method of claim 18, wherein said step of providing a screen display for modifying a SV comprises:

providing a modify SV screen display for modifying a SV, including,

providing fields for inputting modify information including a SV region and identification, a telephone number (TN) range including a TN start and a TN end, a subscription version status indication, and means for selecting a modify as new SP and a modify as old SP,

wherein if modify as new SP is selected, said step of providing a modify SV screen display, includes,

providing a modify as new form including modify as new SP information including providing fields for inputting a customer name, a due date, a billing identification, a reserved TN indication, a work order number, a service order number, remarks, an incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) NPA-NXX, a network switch common language location identifier (CLLI) indication, and a LRN, and

providing an additional information form including providing fields for inputting custom local area signaling services (CLASS) information, line information database (LIDB) information, caller identification with name (CNAM) information, and inter-switch voice mail (ISVM) information for a destination point code (DPC) and a subsystem number (SSN), an end user location and type, and a means for pre-populating said DPC and SSN fields based on the LRN if manually entered, and

wherein if modify as old SP is selected, said step of providing a modify SV screen display includes modify as old SP information including providing fields for inputting a customer name, an old SP due date, an old SP authorization indication, a work order number, a service order number, remarks, and a status change cause indication;

providing means for submitting said modify information, said modify as new SP information, said modify as old SP information, and information input in said additional form to said engine interface; and

providing means for clearing input modify information, modify as new SP information, modify as old SP information, and information input in said additional form.

27. The method of claim 18, wherein said step of providing a screen display for cancelling a SV comprises:

providing a cancel SV screen display for cancelling a SV including providing fields for inputting cancel information including a SV region and identification, and a telephone number (TN) range including a TN start and a TN end,

providing means for submitting said cancel information to said engine interface, and

providing means for clearing input cancel information.

28. The method of claim 18, wherein said step of providing a screen display for disconnecting a SV comprises:

providing a disconnect SV screen display for disconnecting a SV including providing fields for inputting disconnect information including a SV region and identification, a telephone number (TN) range including a TN start and a TN end, a disconnect date, and an effective release date,

providing means for submitting said disconnect information to said engine interface, and

providing means for clearing input disconnect information.

29. The method of claim 18, wherein said step of providing a screen display for acknowledging cancellation of a SV comprises:

providing a cancel acknowledgment screen display for acknowledging cancellation of a SV including providing fields for inputting acknowledgment information including a SV region and identification, and a telephone number (TN) range including a TN start and a TN end,

providing means for submitting said acknowledgment information to said engine interface, and

providing means for clearing input acknowledgment information.

30. The method of claim 18, wherein said step of providing a screen display for resolving a conflict with a SV comprises:

providing a resolve conflict screen display for resolving a conflict with a SV including providing fields for inputting resolve conflict information including a SV region and identification, and a telephone number (TN) range including a TN start and a TN end,

providing means for submitting said resolve conflict information to said engine interface, and

providing means for clearing input resolve conflict information.

31. The method of claim 18, wherein said step of providing a screen display for querying a SV comprises:

providing a query SV screen display for querying a SV, including,

providing a criteria form including providing fields for inputting query criteria including a query source selection, a telephone number (TN) range including a TN start and a TN end, a LRN a SV identification and region, a LNP type indication, a SV status indication, a old SP authorization indication, a new SP due date range including a new SP due date start and a new SP due date end, a old SP due date range including an old SP due date start and an old SP due date end, an activation date range including an activation date start and an activation date end, a customer name, a work order number, a service order number, a ready to activate indication, a sent to data access point (DAP) indication, a user identification, a means for submitting said query criteria to said engine interface, and a means for clearing input query criteria,

providing a results form for displaying query results received from said engine interface based on said query criteria and including providing a date and time of query, query results window, a query results row count indicator, a means for refreshing said query results, a means for printing said query results, and a means for providing query results details,

wherein said step of providing means for providing query results details provides details of a query result selected from said query results window and includes providing a general information form, a SV history information form, an additional information form, and a partial failure list form.

32. The method of claim 18, wherein said step of providing a screen display for initiating a NPAC audit comprises:

providing an initiate NPAC audit screen display for initiating a NPAC audit, including,

providing fields for inputting audit information including a service provide (SP) to be audited, an audit name, a custom local area signaling services (CLASS) indication, a caller identification with name (CNAM) indication, a line information database (LIDB) indication, an inter-switch voice mail (ISVM) indication, local routing number (LRN) indication, and a all CLASS, CNAM, LIDB, ISVM, and LRN indication, a telephone number (TN) range including a TN start and a TN end, an activation date range including an activation date start and an activation date end, and a region,

providing means for submitting said audit information to said engine interface, and

providing means for clearing input audit information.

33. The method of claim 18, wherein said step of providing screen display for querying a NPAC audit comprises:

providing query audit screen display for querying a NPAC audit, including,

providing fields for inputting query criteria including a user identification, a audit identification, an audit name, a region, and an audit start date range including an audit date start and an audit date end, a means for submitting said query criteria to said engine interface, and a means for clearing input query criteria,

providing an audit status summary window for displaying query results received from said engine interface based on said query criteria and including a date and time of query, query results window, a query results row count indicator, a means for cancelling query results, a means for printing said query results, and a means for providing query results details,

wherein said means for cancelling query results cancels a query result selected from said query results window,

said means for providing query results details provides details of a query result selected from said query results window including an audit identification, an audit name, a user identification, a SP identification, and

said step of providing means for providing query results details further includes providing a general information form for providing audit status information, a discrepancy report form for providing audit discrepancy information, and a scope of audit form for providing scope of audit information.

34. The method of claim 18, wherein said steps of providing a screen display for viewing operational information notifications, for viewing cancellation acknowledge notifications, said means for viewing customer disconnect notifications, for viewing create request notifications, said means for viewing concurrence request notifications, for viewing SV status change notifications, for viewing final concurrence notifications, and for viewing said first use of NPA-NXX notifications, each comprise:

providing a screen display for displaying information, based on query criteria including providing fields for inputting a date and time range including a date and time start and a date and time end, and a region,

providing a means for submitting said query criteria to said engine interface, and

providing a query results window for displaying query results received from said engine interface based on said query criteria,

providing means for printing said query results, and

providing means for clearing input query criteria,

wherein said step of providing means for viewing SV status change notifications further includes providing a notification results form for displaying SV status change notification results and a failed service provider (SP) form for displaying failed SP information.

35. A computer readable medium storing computer instructions for interfacing to a local number portability (LNP) network, the computer readable medium comprising instructions for:

coupling a graphical user interface (GUI) to an engine interface via a communications link;

transmitting data, via said engine interface, from said LNP network to said GUI via said communications link and transmitting data received from said GUI to said LNP network;

providing screen displays to a user, via said GUI, for performing LNP network maintenance functions including at least one of maintaining a service provider (SP), maintaining a numbering plan area-telephone number exchange (NPA-NXX), and maintaining local routing number (LRN);

providing screen displays to a user, via said GUI, for performing LNP subscription version (SV) maintenance functions including at least one of creating as a gaining SV, creating as a losing SV, activating a SV, modifying a SV, cancelling a SV, disconnecting a SV, acknowledging cancellation of a SV, resolving a conflict with a SV, and querying a SV;

providing screen displays to a user, via said GUI, for performing reconciling with a number portability administration center (NPAC) functions including at least one of initiating a NPAC audit, and querying a NPAC audit; and

providing screen displays to a user, via said GUI, for performing viewing of LNP notifications functions including at least one of viewing operational information notifications, viewing cancellation acknowledge notifications, viewing customer disconnect notifications, viewing create request notifications, viewing concurrence request notifications, viewing SV status change notifications, viewing final concurrence notifications, and viewing a first use of numbering plan area-telephone number exchange (NPA-NXX) notifications.

36. The computer readable medium of claim 35, wherein said engine interface comprises a service order administration (SOA) engine interface that routes one of LNP transactions and LNP messages received from said GUI to destinations including regional SOA subsystems.

37. The computer readable medium of claim 35, further storing computer instructions, for performing the step of providing a screen display for maintaining a service provider, comprising:

providing a maintain SP screen display for modifying or querying SP information, including,

providing fields for inputting query or modification information including a SP identification, region and contact information,

providing means for submitting said query or modification information to said engine interface,

providing means for displaying query results received from said engine interface in response to said query or modification information, and

providing means for clearing input query or modification information; and

providing a list SP screen display, including,

providing means for indicating a date and time of query or modification,

providing means for listing SP information, and

providing means for printing listed SP information.

38. The computer readable medium of claim 35, further storing computer instructions, for performing the step of providing a screen display for maintaining a NPA-NXX, comprising:

providing a maintain NPA-NXX screen display for creating, deleting or querying a NPA-NXX, including,

providing fields for inputting query criteria including a query source, a query region, a SP identification, and a NPA-NXX range including a NPA-NXX start and a NPA-NXX end,

providing means for submitting said query criteria to said engine interface,

providing means for displaying query results received from said engine interface in response to said query criteria and including a date and time of query indicator,

providing means for means for printing said query results,

providing means for means for clearing input query criteria,

providing means for means for indicating a row count of said query results,

providing means for means for deleting a selected NPA-NXX from displayed query results, and

providing means for means for creating a NPA-NXX and generating a create NPA-NXX screen display upon a user selecting said means for creating a NPA-NXX,

said step of generating a create NPA-NXX screen display, includes,

providing fields for inputting NPA-NXX information including a NPA-NXX, an effective date of creation, and a NPA-NXX region,

providing means for submitting said NPA-NXX information to said engine interface,

providing means for clearing input NPA-NXX information, and

providing means for cancelling said creating of said NPA-NXX.

39. The computer readable medium of claim 35, further storing computer instructions, for performing the step of providing a screen display for maintaining a LRN, comprising:

providing a maintain LRN screen display for creating, deleting, modifying or querying a LRN, including,

providing fields for inputting query criteria including a query source, a query region, a SP identification, and a LRN range including a LRN start and a LRN end,

providing means for submitting said query criteria to said engine interface,

providing means for displaying query results received from said engine interface in response to said query criteria and including a date and time of query indicator,

providing means for printing said query results,

providing means for clearing input query criteria,

providing means for indicating a row count of said query results,

providing means for deleting a selected LRN from displayed query results,

providing means for modifying a selected LRN from displayed query results,

providing means for creating a LRN and generating a create LRN screen display upon a user selecting said means for creating a LRN,

wherein said step of generating a create LRN screen display, includes,

providing fields for inputting LRN information including a LRN, and custom local area signaling services (CLASS) information, line information database (LIDB) information, caller identification with name (CNAM) information, and inter-switch voice mail (ISVM) information for a destination point code (DPC) and a subsystem number (SSN),

providing means for submitting said LRN information to said engine interface,

providing means for clearing input LRN information, and

providing means for cancelling said creating of said LRN.

40. The computer readable medium of claim 35, further storing computer instructions, for performing the step of providing a screen display for creating as a gaining SV, comprising:

providing a create as gaining screen display for creating a gaining SV, including,

providing fields for inputting create as gaining information including a SV region, a telephone number (TN) range including a TN start and a TN end,

providing a create as gaining form including providing fields for inputting old SP information, a port to original indication, a customer name, a due date, a billing identification, a reserved TN indication, a work order number, a service order number, remarks, an incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) NPA-NXX, a network switch common language location identifier (CLLI) indication, and a LRN,

providing an additional information form including providing fields for inputting custom local area signaling services (CLASS) information, line information database (LIDB) information, caller identification with name (CNAM) information, and inter-switch voice mail (ISVM) information for a destination point code (DPC) and a subsystem number (SSN), an end user location and type, and a means for pre-populating said DPC and SSN fields based on the LRN if manually entered,

providing means for submitting said create as gaining information and information input in said create as gaining and additional forms to said engine interface, and

providing means for clearing input create as gaining information and information input in said create as gaining and additional information forms.

41. The computer readable medium of claim 35, further storing computer instructions, for performing the step of providing a screen display for creating as a losing SV, comprising:

providing a create as losing screen display for creating a losing SV, including,

providing fields for inputting create as losing information including a SV region, a telephone number (TN) range including a TN start and a TN end, new SP information, a customer name, a due date, a LNP type, an old SP authorization indication, a status change cause, a work order number, a service order number, and remarks,

providing means for submitting said create as losing information to said engine interface, and

providing means for clearing input create as losing information.

42. The computer readable medium of claim 35, further storing computer instructions, for performing the step of providing a screen display for activating a SV, comprising:

providing an activate SV screen display for activating a SV including providing fields for inputting activate information including a SV region and identification, and a telephone number (TN) range including a TN start and a TN end,

providing means for submitting said activate information to said engine interface, and

providing means for clearing input activate information.

43. The computer readable medium of claim 35, further storing computer instructions, for performing the step of providing a screen display for modifying a SV, comprising:

providing a modify SV screen display for modifying a SV, including,

providing fields for inputting modify information including a SV region and identification, a telephone number (TN) range including a TN start and a TN end, a subscription version status indication, and means for selecting a modify as new SP and a modify as old SP,

wherein if modify as new SP is selected, said step of providing a modify SV screen display, includes,

providing a modify as new form including modify as new SP information including providing fields for inputting a customer name, a due date, a billing identification, a reserved TN indication, a work order number, a service order number, remarks, an incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) NPA-NXX, a network switch common language location identifier (CLLI) indication, and a LRN, and

providing an additional information form including providing fields for inputting custom local area signaling services (CLASS) information, line information database (LIDB) information, caller identification with name (CNAM) information, and inter-switch voice mail (ISVM) information for a destination point code (DPC) and a subsystem number (SSN), an end user location and type, and a means for pre-populating said DPC and SSN fields based on the LRN if manually entered, and

wherein if modify as old SP is selected, said step of providing a modify SV screen display includes modify as old SP information including providing fields for inputting a customer name, an old SP due date, an old SP authorization indication, a work order number, a service order number, remarks, and a status change cause indication;

providing means for submitting said modify information, said modify as new SP information, said modify as old SP information, and information input in said additional form to said engine interface; and

providing means for clearing input modify information, modify as new SP information, modify as old SP information, and information input in said additional form.

44. The computer readable medium of claim 35, further storing computer instructions, for performing the step of providing a screen display for cancelling a SV comprising:

providing a cancel SV screen display for cancelling a SV including providing fields for inputting cancel information including a SV region and identification, and a telephone number (TN) range including a TN start and a TN end,

providing means for submitting said cancel information to said engine interface, and

providing means for clearing input cancel information.

45. The computer readable medium of claim 35, further storing computer instructions, for performing the step of providing a screen display for disconnecting a SV, comprising:

providing a disconnect SV screen display for disconnecting a SV including providing fields for inputting disconnect information including a SV region and identification, a telephone number (TN) range including a TN start and a TN end, a disconnect date, and an effective release date,

providing means for submitting said disconnect information to said engine interface, and

providing means for clearing input disconnect information.

46. The computer readable medium of claim 35, further storing computer instructions, for performing the step of providing a screen display for acknowledging cancellation of a SV, comprising:

providing a cancel acknowledgment screen display for acknowledging cancellation of a SV including providing fields for inputting acknowledgment information including a SV region and identification, and a telephone number (TN) range including a TN start and a TN end,

providing means for submitting said acknowledgment information to said engine interface, and

providing means for clearing input acknowledgment information.

47. The computer readable medium of claim 35, further storing computer instructions, for performing the step of providing a screen display for resolving a conflict with a SV, comprising:

providing a resolve conflict screen display for resolving a conflict with a SV including providing fields for inputting resolve conflict information including a SV region and identification, and a telephone number (TN) range including a TN start and a TN end,

providing means for submitting said resolve conflict information to said engine interface, and

providing means for clearing input resolve conflict information.

48. The computer readable medium of claim 35, further storing computer instructions, for performing the step of providing a screen display for querying a SV, comprising:

providing a query SV screen display for querying a SV, including,

providing a criteria form including providing fields for inputting query criteria including a query source selection, a telephone number (TN) range including a TN start and a TN end, a LRN, a SV identification and region, a LNP type indication, a SV status indication, a old SP authorization indication, a new SP due date range including a new SP due date start and a new SP due date end, a old SP due date range including an old SP due date start and an old SP due date end, an activation date range including an activation date start and an activation date end, a customer name, a work order number, a service order number, a ready to activate indication, a sent to data access point (DAP) indication, a user identification, a means for submitting said query criteria to said engine interface, and a means for clearing input query criteria,

providing a results form for displaying query results received from said engine interface based on said query criteria and including providing a date and time of query, query results window, a query results row count indicator, a means for refreshing said query results, a means for printing said query results, and a means for providing query results details,

wherein said step of providing means for providing query results details provides details of a query result selected from said query results window and includes providing a general information form, a SV history information form, an additional information form, and a partial failure list form.

49. The computer readable medium of claim 35, further storing computer instructions, for performing the step of providing a screen display for initiating a NPAC audit, comprising:

providing an initiate NPAC audit screen display for initiating a NPAC audit, including,

providing fields for inputting audit information including a service provide (SP) to be audited, an audit name, a custom local area signaling services (CLASS) indication, a caller identification with name (CNAM) indication, a line information database (LIDB) indication, an inter-switch voice mail (ISVM) indication, local routing number (LRN) indication, and a all CLASS, CNAM, LIDB, ISVM, and LRN indication, a telephone number (TN) range including a TN start and a TN end, an activation date range including an activation date start and an activation date end, and a region,

providing means for submitting said audit information to said engine interface, and

providing means for clearing input audit information.

50. The computer readable medium of claim 35, further storing computer instructions, for performing the step of providing screen display for querying a NPAC audit, comprising:

providing query audit screen display for querying a NPAC audit, including,

providing fields for inputting query criteria including a user identification, a audit identification, an audit name, a region, and an audit start date range including an audit date start and an audit date end, a means for submitting said query criteria to said engine interface, and a means for clearing input query criteria,

providing an audit status summary window for displaying query results received from said engine interface based on said query criteria and including a date and time of query, query results window, a query results row count indicator, a means for cancelling query results, a means for printing said query results, and a means for providing query results details,

wherein said means for cancelling query results cancels a query result selected from said query results window,

said means for providing query results details provides details of a query result selected from said query results window including an audit identification, an audit name, a user identification, a SP identification, and

said step of providing means for providing query results details further includes providing a general information form for providing audit status information, a discrepancy report form for providing audit discrepancy information, and a scope of audit form for providing scope of audit information.

51. The computer readable medium of claim 35, further storing computer instructions, for performing the steps of providing a screen display for viewing operational information notifications, for viewing cancellation acknowledge notifications, said means for viewing customer disconnect notifications, for viewing create request notifications, said means for viewing concurrence request notifications, for viewing SV status change notifications, for viewing final concurrence notifications, and for viewing said first use of NPA-NXX notifications, each comprising:

providing a screen display for displaying information, based on query criteria including providing fields for inputting a date and time range including a date and time start and a date and time end, and a region,

providing a means for submitting said query criteria to said engine interface, and

providing a query results window for displaying query results received from said engine interface based on said query criteria,

providing means for printing said query results, and

providing means for clearing input query criteria,

wherein said step of providing means for viewing SV status change notifications further includes providing a notification results form for displaying SV status change notification results and a failed service provider (SP) form for displaying failed SP information.

52. A graphical user interface (GUI) coupled to an engine interface of a local number portability (LNP) network via a communications link, the engine interface being configured to transmit data from the LNP network to the GUI via the communications link and transmit data received from the GUI to the LNP network, the GUI comprising:

screen displays configured to permit a user to perform LNP network maintenance functions including at least one of maintaining a service provider (SP), maintaining a numbering plan area-telephone number exchange (NPA-NXX), and maintaining local routing number (LRN);

screen displays configured to permit a user to perform LNP subscription version (SV) maintenance functions including at least one of creating as a gaining SV, creating as a losing SV, activating a SV, modifying a SV, cancelling a SV, disconnecting a SV acknowledging cancellation of a SV, resolving a conflict with a SV, and querying a SV;

screen displays configured to permit a user to perform reconciling with a number portability administration center (NPAC) functions including at least one of initiating a NPAC audit and querying a NPAC audit; and

screen displays configured to permit a user to perform viewing of LNP notifications functions including at least one of viewing operational information notifications, viewing cancellation acknowledge notifications, viewing customer disconnect notifications, viewing create request notifications, viewing concurrence request notifications, viewing SV status change notifications, viewing final concurrence notifications, and viewing a first use of numbering plan