Provisioning is a term most often used in the telecommunication field. In this capacity, it refers to the configuration of both hardware and software in order to activate telecommunication service for a customer. Provisioning is not equipment. Rather, it consists of commands and controls for specific telecommunication devices.
The configuration process of provisioning allows the user to access data and technology remotely. The user also has the ability to look up secured data and to grant authorization to a wide range of network applications and databases by utilizing a unique identity process. Provisioning is generally managed and incorporated into departments such as information technology (IT) and human resources. It gives network administrators the ability to assign technology privileges to employees and contractors of companies, as well to business partners. The software can also be used by a company’s IT department in order to enforce maximum security of system resources.
Provisioning also assists in monitoring the protection process of access privileges. This security feature is widely used along with hardware resources in products such as computers, pagers, and mobile phones in order to increase security and privacy. With its unique boot image control, provisioning reduces the number of configurations utilized during the transfer of information and, as a result, decreases the amount of abuse to the system.
There are currently five notable steps of provisioning. They include server, service, user, mobile subscriber, and mobile content. Server and service provisioning both deal with configuration and customizing processes. User, on the other hand, deals specifically with user objects, beginning from the creation process and continuing with maintenance, until the deactivation process.
Mobile subscriber and mobile content provisioning both refer to services for cell phones. Mobile subscriber is used to set up a new service for mobile phone users through programs such as instant messaging, chatting, and emailing. These settings are transmitted via Short Message Service (SMS) text messaging and Wireless Application Protocol (WAP). Mobile content provisioning brings all of the capabilities of the Internet to the mobile phone. Everything from Java and browser to audio capabilities and language settings are delivered to the cell phone through the help of provisioning.