Cyber Journals: Multidisciplinary Journals in Science and Technology, Journal of Selected Areas in Telecommunications (JSAT), January Edition, 2011

Optimal Staffing Level of Network Operations

and Management Centers
a
Seung-Hak Seok, bByungdeok Chung, cByungjoo Park, dByeong-Yun Chang*1
a
Network Service Center and bNetwork R&D Lab., KT
c
Dept. of Multimedia Engineering, Hannam University
d
School of Business Administration, Ajou University
{ suksh, bbdchung}@kt.com,[email protected],[email protected]
a

architecture to implement the result.

Abstract— In this paper, we try to monitor and optimize the To obtain the optimal staffing level this paper proposes linear
productivity of network operations and management centers in a programming (LP) technique and to verify the result we propose
big telecommunication company. To achieve this goal, we apply simulation. Here, ‘verify’ means that we use LP result into
linear programming and simulation techniques and propose a
system architecture. Linear programming and simulation are most
simulation model as one part of inputs. These two methods are
frequently used techniques in management science field. We apply most frequently used in management science discipline and
these techniques to obtain the best staffing level of network have been applied in various areas such as telecommunication
operations and management centers and verify the result. We also design, supply chain design, call center design, etc. In this paper,
propose a system architecture that implements the linear with LP, we minimize daily labor cost of the operations and
programming model in the real situation and monitor the management staff under the constraints of daily activity limits
productivity of network operations and management centers. This
research will help to increase the competitiveness of a for each worker type, number of each worker type, and the
telecommunication company as well as other organizations by number of each daily task. With simulation, we verify the result
reducing the operating expenditure in today’s fierce competitive that is obtained by using LP. Finally, to implement the result, we
environment. propose a system architecture which is based on
service-oriented architecture.
Index Terms— Optimal Staffing Level, Network Operations For literature review of this paper, we first review
and Management, Linear Programming, Simulation, Management
telecommunication and network operations and management
Science, Operating Expenditure
trends [2, 3]. Then we introduce the concept of management
science [4, 5], LP [6], simulation [7, 8] and a literature related to
I. INTRODUCTION staff optimization in various application fields [9]. However,
there are few literature considering the staff optimization in
I N current telecommunication industries the companies try
to survive in recent market saturation and fierce competition
by reducing operating expenditure and creating new customer
network operations and management centers in a
telecommunication company even though there are plenty of
literature in call center and operator optimization [9—22].
values [2, 3]. In this paper, we consider how to reduce operating
In this paper we apply LP to optimize the staffing level in
expenditures that is one of key survival factors for a
operations and management centers and give a simple example
telecommunication company. Among various efforts to reduce
to explain the model developed. Because the model is a general
the operating expenditures in a large telecommunication
formulation, it can be applied to other operations and
company optimizing staffing level in operations and
management centers for a telecommunication company. We
management centers is a very important problem for the next
also apply a stochastic simulation model to verify the result.
generation operations and management paradigm [3]. Therefore,
Unlike the deterministic optimization model a simulation model
in this paper, we are going to introduce how to optimize
is dynamic over time. Therefore we can model the more realistic
operations staffing level in operations and management centers
situations of network operations and management centers over
and how to verity the result. Moreover, we propose a system
time. Finally to implement the result in operations and
management centers we propose a system architecture to
Manuscript received January 9, 2011.
S.-H. Seok is with Cheongju Network Service Center of KT. monitor and optimize the productivity of operations and
B.-D. Chung is with Network R&D lab. of KT. management centers.
B.-J. Park is with Department of Multimedia Engineering, Hannam In the next section, we provide the review of trends of current
University
* B.-Y. Chang is with School of Business Administration, Ajou University telecommunication industries and network operations and
and he is the corresponding author of this paper. management paradigm, and introduce the concept of
1
This paper is an updated and extended version of S.-S. Hak et al. [1]. management science including LP and simulation, and finally

42
give a brief review of previous research about the optimization B. Management science and staffing level optimization
of the staffing level. We subsequently present a linear
programming model for optimizing the staffing level of Management science is generally a scientific approach to
operations and management centers and give a simple example design and operate a system under some constraints such as
for illustration. Then we develop a simulation model to verify insufficient resource [4, 5]. Broadly it can be divided by two
the result. In the remaining sections of the paper, we present a categories, deterministic models and probabilistic models.
system architecture to implement the model in a Deterministic models include Linear Programming, Dynamic
telecommunication company and conclude the research and Programming, Integer Programming, etc. Probabilistic models
suggest future research issues. include Markov Chain, Queueing Theory, Simulation, etc. In
this paper, we apply LP to optimize operations and management
centers’ staffing level and simulation to verify the result. LP is a
II. LITERATURE REVIEW mathematical tool to optimize a linear objective function under
In this section, we present the trends of current linear constraints. Simulation is to use a computer to imitate the
telecommunication industries and network operations and operation of an entire process or system. Here the system is
management paradigm. We also introduce the concept of usually a stochastic system. For more detail explanations of
management science including LP and simulation, and some these techniques and management science models, refer to
previous research literature for a staffing level optimization. [4--8].
In the literature related to management science field there are
various application problems pertaining to staffing level
A. Trends of telecommunication industries and network
optimization. The main application areas are Transportation
operations management
Systems, Call Centers, Health Care Systems, Protection and
In this subsection, we provide a review of trends of current Emergency Services, Civic Services and Utilities, Venue
telecommunication industries and network operations and Management, Financial Services, Hospitality and Tourism,
management paradigm based on the papers [2, 3] that were Manufacturing, etc [9]. Among these areas the staffing
published in IEEE Communication Magazine in 2007 and 2008, optimization problems pertaining to telecommunication
respectively. industries are mainly the optimization of operator, especially,
First, the paper, “Telco 2.0: A new role and business model”, call center operators [10--22]. There is few literature in the
provided new directions for telecommunication companies’ staffing level optimization of network operations and
customer creation. These directions are explained in terms of management centers.
four frameworks, customer innovation, business value
migration, technology open innovation and collaborative and TABLE I: INPUT PARAMETERS
creative management infrastructure after analyzing future
lifestyle of customers, ICT Trend, business and market trend. Input Parameters Explanation or Examples
The paper also implemented four frameworks in Korea Types of Tasks Ex) AS, BS, Fulfillment,
Telecom. These four frameworks were defined as Telco 2.0 that Surveillance/Mgmt,
is the new direction that every telecommunication company if it Operations/Maintenance Mgmt
wants to survive in the new IP world should be a total solution
provider to create new customer value. Types of Workers Ex) Manager, Officer, Master, Pre Master,
A, B, C, D grade workers
Second, to operate and manage new services creating new
customer values the telecommunication companies need new Task Categories for - Upper and low limits of daily activity
paradigm of network operations and management field. That is each type of worker amount for each worker type
“NOM 2.0: Innovative network operations and management for
business agility [3].” Its new directions were explained in terms - Ex) A manager can work for AS more
than 60% and less than 70% among
of automation and intelligence, remote control and network
daily tasks.
surveillance, virtual office for unmanned operations with robot,
multi dimensional quality management and self customizable Labor cost for each Daily labor cost for each worker type
worker type
user interface. Also, from the environmental change, network
operations and management needs the operators satisfying Max # of workers in Information about maximum number of
various needs from the companies while having multiple skills each NOMC workers for each network operations
to cope with future technologies such IP Multimedia Subsystem management center
and Service Delivery Platform and decrease of the operators in
Min # of task in each Information about minimum number of
future. Therefore, to increase the competitiveness of the
NOMC activity for each task type
telecommunication companies it is mandatory to assign optimal
number of operators in network operations and management
centers.

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 III. STAFFING LEVEL OPTIMIZATION AND SIMULATION function is linear and constraints are linear. In the model (1), if
we add the assumption that Xij’s are integer, then the model is
In this section we apply LP to optimize the number of IP (integer programming). If the problem size is not too big, we
operations personnel in network operations and management can apply IP to optimize the staffing level in the operations and
centers in a telecommunication company. In addition, we management centers. However, since in real problems we have
develop a simulation model to verify the optimization result. to estimate parameters in the model (1) and consider other
factors that may not be included in the model (1), we proposed
In an LP model, we consider the following input parameters. LP model.
To use the above mathematical model (1), we need to figure
To formulate the LP model that optimizes the staffing level in out or estimate the information in Table 1. Then putting the
the operations and management centers, we first visited some information into the mathematical model, we can figure out the
selected centers and examined the types of tasks and task details optimal staffing plan for network operations and management
of the centers. Then we decided input parameters as in Table 1. centers.
With the input information of Table 1, we can have the For illustration, let us consider 2 worker types and 2 task
following mathematical model to optimize the staff level of types. Table 2 indicates upper and low limits of the amount of
network operations and management centers. daily activities for each worker type.
A Mathematical Model
TABLE 2: THE RATIO OF ACTIVITY FOR EACH WORKER TYPE
n m
Task 1 Task 2
Min Z = ∑∑ cij X ij
i =1 j =1 Worker Type 1 (60,70) (30,50)
Worker Type 2 (30,50) (60,70)
s.t. (subject to) Unit: %
X ij
n
≥ Lij for each i and j (Max # of Each Task) In Table 2, for example, the worker type 1 processes activity
∑X
i =1
ij 1 more than 60% and less than 70%. For other entries in Table 2,
we can interpret in a similar way. For the information of the
X ij
n
≤ U ij for each i and j (Min # of Each Task) (1) daily labor cost, we estimate ₩190,000 and ₩150,000 for
∑ X ij worker type 1 and 2, respectively. Also, because of the
i =1 limitation of expenditure cost, we cannot hire more than 1 and 2
n
workers for type 1 and 2 worker, respectively.
∑X
i =1
ij ≤ b j for each j (Max # of Each Type of Worker)
Finally we need to figure out the minimum number of each
m task to be processed as in Table 3. In Table 3, for example, the
∑a
j =1
ij X ij ≥ TLi for each i worker type 1 processes 30 numbers of task 1 if he/she works for
only task 1. And, the worker type 1 processes 20 numbers of
(Min # of Each Task for Each Worker Type)
task 2 if he/she works for only task 2. For worker type 2, we can
All X ij ' s ≥ 0. interpret in a similar way. Thirty and twenty numbers of tasks 1
and 2, respectively, should be processed on average daily.

For the above mathematical model (1), TABLE 3: THE NUMBER OF TASKS TO BE PROCESSED
Decision Variables Task 1 Task 2
Worker Type 1 30 20
• Xij: ratio of worker type j who processing Worker Type 2 20 40
task type i Min # of Tasks to be 30 20
Objective Functions done

• Z: Total cost of daily labor

With these input information incorporated into the
Constraints mathematical model (1) and after a little algebra, we have the
• Upper and low limits of daily activity amount following mathematical formulation in the next page.
for each worker type Then using a software package such as Lindo or Excel, we
can easily get the optimal solution for the decision variables. In
• Upper limit of the number of each worker
type this paper, we explain how to formulate the above example
using Excel since if we can formulate the mathematical model
• Low limit of the number of each daily task into Excel, then in real companies they can easily apply LP
• Sign Restriction models into their operations and management support systems.

The mathematical model (1) is an LP since the objective

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 the result from the optimization model. In this paper, we
developed our simulation model using Arena [8]. The
simulation model can be developed with similar inputs from the
above optimization model. However, the characteristics of the
simulation models are different from the deterministic
optimization models because they are dynamic over time in
nature. As an example, in the simulation model in this paper we
created two tasks arrivals, task A and B. Task A’s interarrival
time is an exponential distribution with mean 0.8 (hour) and task
B’s interarrival time is an exponential distribution with mean
1.2 (hour). In addition, the processing time for task A is a
triangle distribution with minimum 0.5, Mode 0.8, Max 1 (hour)
and the processing time for task B is a triangle distribution with
minimum 0.8, Mode 1.2, Max 1.5 (hour). Before processing
tasks A and B, they will stay in servers A and B, respectively.
The waiting time for servers A and B is an exponential
distribution with mean 20 (minutes). The simulation model and
the results are in Figure 2, Table 4 and 5.
In the simulation model, worker type 1 and 2 consists of two
The following figure 1 shows the optimal solution of our workers for each type and the number of replication is 30. In the
previous example. results 95% confidence interval for waiting time for server A is
(0.2535, 0.5135) hours and 95% confidence interval for waiting
time for server B is (0.2453, 0.5453) hours. We can see that the
average and half width of waiting time for server B is a little
greater than those of waiting time for server A. In Table 5, we
can see the similar results for numbers of waiting in queues to
Table 4. The average number of waiting for worker type 1is a
little less than the average number of waiting for worker type 2,
but the half width is a little greater.

IV. SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE

This section provides a system architecture that includes the
optimization solver described in the previous section. The
system has an enhanced network assurance and remote
connection technology support functions. Through the system
Figure 1: The optimal staffing level for a network operations management the company can reduce operators’ dispatch time and have the
center
optimal number of operation personnel. Also, it can reduce
operating expenditures through reduction of dispatching ratio.
Figure 3 and 4 describes the system’s operating environment
By the result, for worker type 1, we need 0.7+03=1 people. and the system architecture, respectively.
That worker will spend 70% of his time for task 1 and 30% for In figure 3, the system is interoperated with fault management
task 2. For worker type 2, we need 0.45+0.675=1.125 people. system, authentication management system, remote simple
However, generally as we mentioned just before, the number of message service system, and human resource system. The
worker should be integer. So, you can use integer programming operators, technicians, security managers can access the system
instead of linear programming. We use here linear programming and they can find the most proper field workers and dispatch
because it is easy to get solution and implement a system when them when there are some problems in telecommunications
the problem size is big. Also, we give more room to manipulate networks.
optimal decision about the staffing level based on LP solution In figure 4, the optimization function in the previous section
depending on the situation of network operations management is included in achievement analysis module. We are currently
centers that is not considered here in the mathematical model. developing this module and if the system has input information
In the real situation, number of variables is about 7 and such as in Table 1 it can use the linear programming model in
constraints could be 35. Therefore, it is reasonable using LP and Equation (1) to provide the best optimal staffing level.
simplex algorithm. In case that we have many constraints, we
may consider using dual problem.
For the next step, we can develop a simulation mode to verity

45
 Network Operations and Management Center Simulation

0
Tr ue
T a s k A Arri v e As s i g n T a s k A Se rv e r A De c i d e 1
Pro c e e s s i n g T i m e W o rk e r T y p e 1 Di s p o s e 1
0
0 0
0 Fals e 0

As s i g n T a s k B W o rk e r T y p e 2 Di s p o s e 2
T a s k B Arri v e
Pro c e e s s i n g T i m e Se rv e r B
0
0 0
0 0 Tr ue
De c i d e 2

0 Fals e

Figure 2: Network Operations and Management Center Simulation Model

Figure 3: Remote Operations and Maintenance Environment (ROME)

TABLE 4: Waiting Time Results for Server A and B Queues

Waiting Time Average Half Width Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum
Average Average Value Value
Server A. Queue 0.3835 0.13 0.00 1.3861 0.00 3.3671
Server B. Queue 0.3953 0.15 0.0484 1.8943 0.00 3.1055

TABLE 5: Number of Waiting Results for Servers and Work Types Queues
Number of Average Half Width Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum
Waiting Average Average Value Value
Server A. Queue 0.5351 0.21 0.00 2.1166 0.00 5
Server B. Queue 0.3336 0.14 0.0303 1.5542 0.00 5
Worker Type 1. 3.9321 0.57 1.5551 7.5701 0.00 15
Queue
Worker Type 1. 4.0629 0.46 1.2150 7.6618 0.00 14
Queue

46
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of the linear programming model in a system. All of this process
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telecommunication company as well as a general organization
such as hospital, government, and manufacturing company.
In the linear programming model, we assumed that the
objective function and constraints are linear. We can relax this
assumption for further research and develop more complex
models and compare the results with those of this paper. Also,
we can develop more complex simulation models.

REFERENCES
[1] S.-H. Seok, M.-K. Kwon, B. Chung, B. Park and B.-Y. Chang, “A study Seung-Hak Seok received the B.S. degree in
on finding optimal network operators level”, International Conference on electronics engineering from Kyungbook
System Science and Engineering (ICSSE) 2010, pp. 457-461, July 2010. University, Daegu, Rep. of Korea in 1984, and
[2] J.-R. Yoon, “Telco 2.0: A new role and business model,” IEEE Commun. the M.S. degree in electronics engineering from
Mag., vol. 45, pp. 10–12, January 2007. Kyungbook University, Daegu, Rep. of Korea in
[3] Y.-H. Bang, “NOM 2.0: Innovative network operations and management 1986. He is now the managing director of
for business agility,” IEEE Commun. Mag., vol. 46, pp. 10–16, March Cheongju Network Service Center in KT. He has
2008. been involved in leading projects on development
[4] F. S. Hillier and G. J. Lieberman, Introduction to Operations Research, of large-scale Operations Support System(OSS)
9th ed., New York: McGRAW-Hill , 2010. and solving many network and service operations
[5] W. L. Winston and M. Venkataramanan, Introduction to Mathematical issues with realization of optimal processes and support systems. His research
Programming, 4th ed., CA: Thomson, 2003. interests include Business Process Management (BPM) and network/services
[6] M. S. Bazaraa, J. J. Jarvis, H. D. Sherali, Linear Programming and operations & management.
Network Flows, 2nd ed., John Wiley & Sons, 1990.

47
 Dr. Byung-Deok Chung is the managing
director of Integrated Operations & Management
Research Department in KT Network Technology
Laboratory. He has been in charge of researching
and developing the operations and management
systems for Access Networks, IP Networks,
transmission networks, Broadband Convergence
Networks (BCN), Wibro networks, customer
networks and home networks. Since he joined KT
in 1987, He has been involved in leading projects
on development of large-scale Operations Support System(OSS) and solving
many network and service operations issues with realization of optimal
processes and support systems. Especially From 2003 to 2006, as the director of
Development Project Management Division, he participated in the
development project of NeOSS(New Operations Support System) to elevate
customer satisfaction getting improvement of telecommunications operations
process for business agility toward u-Society. With NeOSS, KT was selected
for the TM Forum Excellence Award titled “Best Practices Award Service
Provider” in 2007. His research interests include Smart Grid, Business Process
Management (BPM), Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), Information
Technology Service Library and Information Technology Service Management
(ITIL/ITSM), and network/services operations & management.

Dr. Byungjoo Park received the B.S. degree in

electronics engineering from Yonsei University,
Seoul, Rep. of Korea in 2002, and the M.S. and
Ph.D. degrees (first-class honors) in electrical and
computer engineering from University of Florida,
Gainesville, USA, in 2004 and 2007, respectively.
From June 1, 2007 to February 28, 2009, he was a
senior researcher with the IP Network Research
Department, KT Network Technology Laboratory,
Rep. of Korea. Since March 2, 2009, he has been
a Professor in the Department of Multimedia Engineering at Hannam
University, Daejeon, Korea. He is a member of the IEEE, IEICE, IEEK, KICS,
and KIISE. His primary research interests include theory and application of
mobile computing, including protocol design and performance analysis in next
generation wireless/mobile networks. He is an honor society member of Tau
Beta Pi and Eta Kappa Nu. His email address is [email protected],
[email protected].

Dr. Byeong-Yun Chang received the B.S.

degree in Industrial Engineering from Sung Kyun
Kwan University, Suwon, Rep. of Korea in 1996,
and the M.S. degrees and Ph.D. degree in
Operations Research, Applied Statistics, and
Industrial and Systems Engineering from Georgia
Tech, Atlanta, USA, in 2000, 2002 and 2004,
respectively. He is now an Assistant Professor in
the School of Business Administration at the
Ajou University. Before joining the Ajou
University, he analyzed network operations and management processes at KT,
and designed and implemented a real time enterprise model for them. His
research interests include information and telecommunication management,
business process management, operations research, simulation and applied
statistics. He is the editor in chief of the Korea Society for Simulation. His
email address is [email protected]. He is the corresponding author of this
paper(:*).

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