However, as a result of the significant developments made in recent years by leading system providers of Java infrastructure (BEA, IBM, Oracle and Sun) and of telecommunications solution providers (Ericsson), it is no longer a question today that Java language is perfectly suitable for not only implementing "traditional" IT business solutions, but next generation telecommunications networks as well. - says Gábor Darmai    , BEA Distribution Director of Alerant. The role of Java language in this area is further reinforced by the ever increasingly important IP-based communication technology (IMS - IP Multimedia Subsystem), and the convergence of IP-and telecommunications networks, given that Java is a traditionally powerful tool in the development of IP-based web applications.


Telecommunications needs
The most important demand in creating telecommunications services is to provide fast response times and low latency. Special Java virtual machines such as BEA Systems’ WebLogic RealTime tool provides fastness and low latency in Java environments. This is a development and run environment that is capable of running Java applications by ensuring guaranteed response times.
In case of telecommunications applications, an additional important aspect is to provide simple and standardized access to network tools. Parlay programming interface (API) is the applicable standard, which is supported by leading providers like Ericsson. Parlay extremely simplifies access to different network tools (HLR, MSC) and protocols (SS7, SMTP, SÍP), facilitating fast and effective implementation of service logics (such as call routing, conference call, click-to-dial, find-me-follow-me), as well as the combination of application that require different resources. In order to avoid vendor lock-in, it is advisable to stick to solutions approved by many on the market and also supported by international standards. Vendor-specific solutions generally represent a more expensive solution both in terms of hardware and software and involve higher operation and development costs.

J2EE, JAIN SLEE
Service logic is defined according to some programming model, for which currently there are two approved, Java-based standards available in the telecommunications area: JEE (Java Enterprise Edition) and JAIN SLEE (Service Logic Execution Environment. Both of these standards support the event-driven programming model, which is basically important in creating telecommunications services, however, using JEE technology is more advantageous given that it is widely spread and supported.

Ericsson and BEA
Ericsson's standardized, Parlay-based service development platform, Ericsson Network Resource Gateway developed for next generation networks, deploys BEA WebLogic JEE application server – the most widely spread in the telecommunications sector - to run service logic.