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The STEM newsletter is a quarterly bulletin designed to keep you informed of the latest developments in STEM: interesting applications, the latest features and a series of how-does-it-work articles, together with news of forthcoming events.

Free subscription when we review your business model

How well do you understand your business? It may be profitable now, but how prepared are you for this to change? We have a track record of analysing individual services or entire businesses in an interactive workshop style that engages and informs. Our visual software enables multi-disciplinary dialogue about the business you thought you knew and the more uncertain future ahead.

31 October 2017

A freshly baked model of a start-up

We examine Michaela’s Best Bread Direct service, from her first unconstrained vision, through a more realistic measured phase and finally to a more ambitious, customer-driven approach. We demonstrate how STEM can be applied to almost any business topic and always delivers a systematic and reliable treatment of time and money.

31 October 2017

Business-case design and training at your service

Ever wondered what we do at Implied Logic? We have recently posted a comprehensive update to our services portfolio online which is effectively a self-service proposal for everything from online training on-demand through to on-site business-modelling consulting and hosting services for business models on the web.

28 July 2017

Our latest help and training materials

Documentation is never regarded as a very exciting activity, but our comprehensive help and training materials are a vital element of the self-serve experience with STEM. In the last quarter we have posted two significant updates to our online help site which enhance both of these aspects.

28 July 2017

STEM User Group Meeting 2017

Our annual customer forum on 27–28 September 2017 will see us build a generic business case from scratch, comparing the approach of a fixed resource base with a more agile, driver-based approach. We will generate all the essential technical and financial outputs while exploring the impact of varying levels of service activity.

04 May 2017

Win a student group subscription in our quarterly competition

We are now offering an affordable package for educational groups to access the fully-fledged C-STEM platform which will enable teaching staff to connect their students with the issues of scale and complexity that they will face in real life, as well as a quarterly competition to win an annual subscription for the most interesting modelling proposal.

04 May 2017

Tracing drivers with smart results in the Editor

Suppose it were easier to connect results with what you can see in the Editor, or that STEM could anticipate which results would be of most immediate interest. Soon you will be able to display results from the context menu for a selection of elements in the Editor. A new Trace command will draw the most pertinent graphs to explain the calculation flow for a series of elements.

31 January 2017

STEM User Group Meeting 2016 proceedings

Our 21st customer event was held on 05–06 October at King’s College, Cambridge, UK. New and regular users alike engaged in animated debate on two dominant themes of network virtualisation, as well as further game-changing developments in the STEM platform. The full proceedings of the 2016 event are now available for download. Next year’s event will run 27–28 September 2017.

31 October 2016

A menu of operational tasks around SDN and NFV

It is always easier to model the costs of physical infrastructure than to estimate the effort involved in tasks relating to service provisioning and operation. Our generic methodology for the calculation structure, from tasks and hours per period to headcount and payroll, allows you to focus on the data requirements and analysis which is where the real learning and insights lie.

31 October 2016

An imagined conversation on planning for a web-scale enterprise

A fictional conversation between three of the most influential cloud business leaders at Liverpool Street station in London, UK: Jeff, Mark and Larry compare improvised techniques for forecasting and costing data-centre roll-outs … then realise that the fast train to Cambridge departs from platform 6.

19 May 2016

STEM version 7.5 release

STEM version 7.5 includes a bumper crop of new features and represents a step-change in flexibility and functionality for the results program in particular. A first beta version was released in early May and we are now working towards a final release date in early June. Existing clients are welcome to evaluate the latest beta system. The official release will be notified to all current clients in due course via our release bulletins list.

19 May 2016

Results browsing reimagined in STEM 7.5

The process for drawing graphs in STEM has changed, now starting from elements and then working through results to scenarios, in a tabbed interface which intentionally blurs the distinction between element types to enable a more streamlined experience. We provide a quick video preview of the general approach and new capabilities.

31 January 2016

A business case for SDN on the edge of a metro network

We model several different timing scenarios for the deployment of bare-metal switches and calculate the capex, opex and payback potential of each relative to a Do Nothing scenario. Even the most nebulous technical opportunity can be de-mystified on a suitably flexible platform if you take time to invest in the story first.

29 October 2015

Evaluating use cases for white box deployment

Several potential modelling scenarios are being developed for the workshop sessions on white-box deployment at the forthcoming STEM User Group Meeting in October 2015. All of these involve software-defined networking (SDN) on bare-metal switches (white-boxes) in a variety of contexts, and one also envisages network function virtualisation (NFV) for a metro edge router.

31 July 2015

Fifty more interactive help models

Six months ago we announced the release of an initial ten interactive example models in our online help system. Since then we have developed (more precisely) a further 52 models designed to bring to life the various static examples and figures in the original text. The complete set is now ready for you to explore to learn more about how STEM works or simply evaluate its potential.

31 July 2015

STEM User Group Meeting 2015

Our twentieth meeting of great minds will explore the practical challenges associated with projected ‘white-box’ deployments. This milestone business-modelling event on 07–08 October in Cambridge, UK, will herald the latest STEM 7.5 release, as well as the end of an era for one familiar pillar of the STEM desktop environment.

21 May 2015

Interactive models in online help

We have started enriching our new help resource with a series of interactive models, running on the eSTEM platform for publishing business models on the web, which will bring to life modelling examples and figures in the Model features section.

16 February 2015

STEM User Group Meeting 2014 proceedings

Our annual event in October at King’s College in Cambridge, UK, was focused around the forthcoming STEM 7.4 software release and facilitated a rich discussion between Implied Logic and the operator, vendor and consultant modellers present on a broad range of industry status and technical how-to topics.

07 November 2014

Help! Where is STEM 7.4?

STEM 7.4 missed its intended late summer launch due to unexpected complications in the fine detail of two specific features. Current users will be notified directly when the final release is made in December 2014. In contrast, the new HTML documentation is already live on the web, ready to support the online experience when you press <F1>.

07 November 2014

Calculating economic depreciation for regulatory accounts

Establishing a regulatory accounting model has been the traditional preserve of consultants with spreadsheets. However, as the techniques become increasingly standardised, regulatory staff will naturally seek to own the modelling process themselves. We now offer a more systematic and maintainable approach.

30 April 2014

STEM 7.4 Beta 1 release

Every STEM user will be familiar with the right-click problem, specifically the seemingly contrary behaviour of time-series buttons in data dialogs. Experienced current licensees are invited to evaluate new features such as comprehensive Find, help in HTML, and tornado charts on the web, as well as our replacement ‘wandering’ button concept.

30 April 2014

Case study on Network Operations Transformation

Investaura Management Consultants has released a white paper re-visiting the financial benefits of managed services and infrastructure sharing for telcos. A top-down financial simulation has been developed to analyse and quantify the benefits of available options. Implied Logic is pleased to host a simplified online view of the model.

31 October 2013

STEM version 7.3d release

The last three months have spanned the holiday season in the UK, preparation for our annual STEM User Group Meeting, and the interview process for our new Graduate Developer, Tomas CHRIEN. Nevertheless we have been able to make a total of 20 minor fixes and incremental enhancements for a STEM 7.3d maintenance release which is now available as a recommended update for all current STEM users.

31 October 2013

STEM on a Windows 8 tablet

A personal viewpoint by Robin Bailey who is now happily using a Surface Pro device as a full-time replacement for his previous and most reliable and powerful laptop to date. Our existing STEM 7.3b system ran without any modification whatsoever – that’s what you expect on the Windows platform.

31 July 2013

STEM version 7.3c release

Proactive development is a core principle at Implied Logic and a STEM 7.3c maintenance release is now available as a recommended update for all current STEM users. Our clients often expect us to think of solutions before they even tell us there is a problem. As ever, a good proportion of the 15+ minor improvements and corrections have been made in response to internal comments.

31 July 2013

STEM User Group Meeting 2013

This unique opportunity for prospective clients to meet and compare notes with existing users will combine showcase solutions with detailed STEM tutorials and tips, as well as a preview of the latest software updates. An interactive modelling workshop will explore a simplified business case for Platform as a Service (PaaS).

03 May 2013

STEM version 7.3b release

We have responded to and fixed a number of minor irritations in the software in the last six months, as well as enhancing several existing features. For reasons of consistency and efficiency, this STEM 7.3b maintenance release is now available as a recommended update for all current users.

03 May 2013

Managing a leaky reservoir

As a ‘wake-up exercise’ on day two of the recent STEM User Group Meeting, we explored a classic ‘leaky bucket’ problem of water supply, concerning a huge filling reservoir (HFR). The atypical modelling topic was used to focus on technique without the distraction of more familiar and precious assumptions.

26 October 2012

STEM version 7.3a release

A software ‘final release’ is often anything but that, and the ubiquitous ‘service pack’ is now a fact of modern software evolution. So it will come as no surprise to know that a STEM 7.3a maintenance release is already available as a ‘recommended update’ for all current STEM users.

26 October 2012

STEM 7.3 final release

STEM version 7.3 is signed-off and ready to download. User-interface improvements alone provide a compelling reason to upgrade, but the boundaries of what can be achieved have also been pushed out by the new aggregate-handling capability and immediate delivery of complex models to multiple device platforms in a web context.

31 July 2012

Business models on the web with HTML 5

Client activity has driven eSTEM development forward and we are now generating HTML 5 in preference to Flash to achieve wider device compatibility across PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, Android and Windows Phone platforms. Usage tracking has been added, together with options for users to save their own input sets and download template reports.

31 July 2012

STEM User Group Meeting 2012

The 17th annual STEM User Group Meeting will run from 03–04 October in Cambridge, UK, and will showcase opex models on topics including power, spares, air-conditioning and human resources as a training demonstration of the new aggregate demand and consumable resource features.

15 May 2012

Maximum utilisation before deployment

A technical question buried in the Techniques from the road on ring dimensioning article in our July 2011 newsletter has gone largely unnoticed, and a subsequent plan to air the same issue at the STEM User Group Meeting in October 2011 was foiled by the corresponding presentation being side-lined to make way for a number of guest presentations. The issue is: which of these technical considerations should ‘come first’?

02 February 2012

STEM 7.3 Beta 1 release

A new version of the STEM modelling platform is ‘just around the corner’. A first beta release is now available which implements a great many refinements to the software interfaces, all designed to make STEM more welcoming and easier to learn. The new version 7.3 also puts the automatic generation of Internet-enabled Web GUIs in the hands of regular STEM users, together with incremental modelling for shorter time periods and a new time-shift function for modelling ‘time to build’.

02 February 2012

A holistic approach to planning network upgrades

How would you design an efficient, macro-economic simulation of an irregular series of capacity upgrade steps deployed separately at each base-station site in a mobile network where the local growth in demand (and timing of required upgrades) varies by site?

30 November 2011

New staff and consulting-partner pages

We have added some profiles to our website to make it easier for you to meet our core team and international network of consulting partners.

29 July 2011

A closer look at STEM models on the web

The idea of a STEM model running on the web is now a reality and the first commercial licence for eSTEM (Enterprise STEM) was signed in July. You can see a generic example of the technology working in an interactive model presentation embedded in the concurrent newsletter article, ‘Techniques from the road on ring dimensioning.’

29 July 2011

Evolving techniques from live customer engagements

Best practice – by definition – constantly evolves, and so do training methods. A number of ‘blank sheet’ exercises, designed to foster an early intuition for the STEM paradigm and improvised in recent training assignments, are now being drafted into our regular training guide.

06 May 2011

STEM version 7.2d release

Our latest maintenance update, 06 May 2011, reveals a previously undocumented option for bypassing quasi-circular model structures and fixes a frustrating issue where changes to a template could indirectly mess-up charts in the results, as well as addressing a number of minor software irritations identified in recent training courses.

06 May 2011

New Implied Logic website

A major update to the Implied Logic website has been completed such that it now provides a detailed introduction and reference for all aspects of our software and related expertise, including a rich transcription of the STEM newsletter archive dating back to April 2002.

31 January 2011

STEM User Group Meeting 2010 proceedings

Our recent ‘capex and opex work-out’ saw work-in-progress to add new incremental transformation basis and transient resource concepts better suited to modelling in-period activity costs. The 2011 business-modelling event will be anounced in April.

31 October 2010

Continuing a tradition of first-class STEM support

On Friday 18 June 2010, Implied Logic acquired the STEM business-modelling software for networks from Analysys Mason Ltd., which had developed and marketed the accelerated financial modelling tool since it was conceived by original Analysys founder, Dr David Cleevely, and colleagues in the late 80s.

21 June 2010

STEM User Group Meeting 2010 (original invitation)

The STEM User Group Meeting on 5–6 October 2010 at King’s College in Cambridge, UK, will feature a series of capex and opex modelling workshops where our consultants will ‘work out’ solutions to tricky implementation-cost problems with live input and questions from the audience.

30 April 2010

What’s new in STEM 7.2a

For a large scale infrastructure project in the Asia-Pacific, STEM 7.2a introduces a separation between initial capex (and its associated depreciation), and replacement costs arising before the project is complete, making it easier to identify the total cumulative capex for the initial roll-out.

28 January 2010

STEM User Group Meeting 2009 Proceedings

The 14th Annual STEM User Group Meeting was held in September at King’s College, Cambridge. 18 delegates enjoyed an interesting mix of consulting presentations, STEM applications, the launch of the new STEM version 7.2, and our vision for a hosted online system. The consulting track covered LTE evolution, mobile broadband, and duct sharing, while the application track covered HSPA upgrade modelling, activity-based costing, and bandwidth aggregation for fixed networks. All of the presentations are available for download now.

23 October 2009

Mobile network activity-based cost model

One of our clients is currently putting the finishing touches to a massively detailed activity-based cost-allocation model of one of its international mobile network operations. The STEM model enables immediate service costing and profitability analysis to be integrated with future planning in a setup where cost allocation keys are based on a true understanding of underlying demand and revenue drivers.

23 July 2009

STEM User Group Meeting 2009

Our international STEM expert consulting group brings operators and vendors together for a two-day annual review on the techno-economic modelling of fixed, mobile and converged networks. The 2009 event runs from 29–30 September and will be held at King’s College, in the heart of the university city of Cambridge in its 800th anniversary year.

30 April 2009

Integrated service planning and network economics

A planner’s dilemma exists: the benefits of a coordinated strategy are rarely achieved because it has always been easier to build isolated, bespoke models in small teams, than to risk the initiative being de-railed by unmatched effort or commitment from other departments. STEM offers a framework which can be understood and accepted by everyone involved in the planning process.

31 July 2008

Applying STEM to the energy sector

Long-term planning of base-load power stations in a national grid should minimise the number of oil and gas (O&G) turbines required for peak consumption. A STEM model forecasts energy demand and the requirements for O&G turbines and calculates end-to-end costs allocated to each type of service and energy user on a per-kWh basis.

31 July 2008

STEM User Group Meeting 2008

The Thirteenth STEM User Group Meeting will be held on 17–18 September in Cambridge, UK, and will focus around an extended, competitive modelling exercise, such as a dimensioning and planning model for enterprise ICT.

30 April 2008

Modelling the costs of ICT infrastructures for tendering purposes

Clients demand a single price-per-port for convergent solutions which integrate network platforms, LANs, telecommunications systems and voice traffic volumes. This article, first published in the German-language telecoms journal NET, describes how the costing of telecommunications projects can be made with STEM.

30 January 2008

Analysing the impact of the incumbent’s wholesale prices

Lator, a Croatian telecoms consultancy, has used STEM to build a bottom-up business model of an alternative operator using carrier pre-selection (CPS), identifying the key drivers through sensitivity analysis.

01 January 2008

Evaluating online conferencing

We consider the market and technical design for a desktop sharing service, the necessary network infrastructure and associated revenues and costs, and quickly generate business results directly comparable to the published results of established player WebEx.

30 October 2007

STEM 7.2 development shortlist

A quick poll of users requests free text in views in the Editor, a new wizard for exporting results to Excel, and automatic selection of column/bar format for charts of aggregate measures (such as revenue, traffic volume and cost), plus refined toolbar and drag-and-drop interfaces.

30 July 2007

Universal modelling experience

STEM’s graphical interface can provide a dynamic and intuitive picture of any telecoms business, from satellite broadband to fixed-mobile convergence, as we will showcase in a series of interactive modelling sessions at the STEM User Group Meeting in September.

30 July 2007

STEM User Group Meeting 2007

The Twelfth STEM User Group Meeting will be held on 19–20 September in Cambridge, UK, focused around an extended, competitive business-modelling exercise. Register now for this lively annual showcase event.

30 April 2007

What’s new in STEM 7.1

Headline features include ‘snapshot’ charts, sensitivity analysis and tornado charts, advanced depreciation options, a new Break Even result, and a fully-functional Excel link generator.

30 January 2007

Strategic analysis of technology and market opportunities

Motorola’s Business Innovation and Consulting group has been successfully using STEM to support the strategic analysis of Motorola’s technology, market and business opportunities.

30 January 2007

Why model an airline using software designed for telecoms?

An introductory training session took the unconventional example of a low-cost airline business so as to focus on the key business-modelling features of STEM without the distraction of the details of a telecoms operation.

30 October 2006

ITU-BDT planning workshop for the Arab region

STEM featured in a two-week training event from 16–27 July 2006 at the National Telecommunications Institute in Cairo. The ambitious Regional Network Planning Workshop with Tool Case Studies for the Arab Region provided a broad introduction to the principles and preferred methodologies for telecoms business and network planning, combined with hands-on experience of leading commercial tools.

30 July 2006

Evaluating DVB-H value chains in Italy

Researchers at CEFRIEL have developed a STEM model for the introduction of DVB-H which considers the selection of geographical areas and customer segments to be served, the services to be provided, and the technology used to provide the services, for several value-chain scenarios.

30 July 2006

STEM User Group Meeting 2006

Our annual showcase of business models for fixed and mobile technologies will be held on 20–21 September in Cambridge, UK, and represents a unique opportunity to learn about the activities of other STEM users from around the world.

30 April 2006

The business case for STEM

We present a STEM model of the business-case modelling process which quantifies how STEM focuses effort on value-generating activity. We demonstrate a one-year payback in business insight generated after the initial learning curve.

30 April 2006

The important economic decision-making criterion for IPTV networks

Carriers who are seeking to build new IPTV networks face a number of architectural questions and issues. Juniper Networks has developed modular bottom-up models with STEM to help carriers evaluate different technical solutions for their networks.

30 January 2006

Tenth Anniversary User Group Meeting

40 operator and vendor clients from four continents attended the Tenth Anniversary STEM User Group Meeting, 21–22 September, in Cambridge, UK. A range of presentations covered topics including service-profitability analysis and planning models for NGN and HSDPA.

30 October 2005

Bandwidth aggregation model

STEM’s template replication feature facilitates the generation of very large, repetitive model structures. This technical article illustrates the principles of a two-tier bandwidth aggregation model.

30 October 2005

Nationwide implementation of a WiMAX mobile access network

Researchers at CEFRIEL have used STEM to model a national WiMAX access network implemented in Italy using the 802.16e standard. Scenarios are used to examine two roll-out strategies and two options for the channel bandwidth.

30 July 2005

Migrating separate voice and data services to an NGN platform

Our latest reference model explores the cost implications of the transition to a common next-generation network platform and offers a scaleable methodology for modelling these diverse network architectures.

30 April 2005

Keeping a grip on complexity

STEM has a multi-dimensional scenario space, plus the facility to automatically generate geographical variants. In this simplified cellular model, we explore how STEM can safely mix sensitivities, scenarios and templates.

30 April 2005

Motorola selects STEM business-modelling tool

Motorola’s Business Innovation and Consulting group, part of Motorola’s Networks business, has recently selected the STEM software as its standard business-modelling framework application.

30 January 2005

STEM version 7.0 release

We provide an updated summary of the final STEM 7.0 feature set, which includes intrinsic support for data services, new financial calculations, Service results broken down by individual Resources, and new formatting options in both the Editor and Result programs.

30 October 2004

Voice and data services compared

STEM 7.0 allows data services to be described directly in terms of their nominal bandwidth requirements. This how-to article presents a worked example for voice and GPRS data services.

30 October 2004

fSTEM is coming

To be launched at the 2004 STEM User Group Meeting, fSTEM will be a free, but non-confidential, Web-based service aimed at the academic or prospective user. This service will provide run-time copies of a user’s models which can then be run through any range of numerical inputs.

30 July 2004

Modelling fixed and variable overhead costs

Network infrastructure costs must be considered alongside marketing, legal and other overheads which may have a significant impact on the P&L. This technical article explains two simple techniques for integrating fixed and variable overhead costs into a network cost model.

30 July 2004

Learning to write with STEM

The art of modelling is hard to prescribe and typically learned first-hand from an expert. We offer an informal blueprint for how to model typical network contexts and how to think about the overall scope of a model.

30 April 2004

Learning to read with STEM

This one-hour introduction is being developed as a companion guide aimed at the infrequent or peripheral user.

30 January 2004

STEM User Group Meeting 2003 proceedings

The 2003 STEM User Group Meeting was held in September. Browse or download the full set of presentations on topics including VoIP, opex modelling and new features of STEM 7.0.

30 October 2003

How do scenarios work?

This latest technical article provides a quick overview and tutorial on STEM’s integrated scenario engine.

30 October 2003

Drill-down on cost breakdown

The forthcoming STEM version 7.0 will generate allocated Service cost results, broken down by individual originating Resources. We provide the drill-down on the latest development prototype.

30 July 2003

How does auditing work?

This latest technical article explains the meticulous preparation which enables STEM to lead both modeller and client to the most critical calculations in a model.

30 July 2003

STEM User Group Meeting 2003

You are cordially invited to the Eighth Annual STEM User Group Meeting, including an extended interactive modelling workshop over three sessions, separate presentations on technical and opex modelling, and an introduction to the forthcoming STEM version 7.0.

30 April 2003

Modelling 3G equipment upgrades

STEM Support has been helping Swisscom Mobile to model the roll-out of its future UMTS network. For financial planning purposes, there is no requirement to model each base station individually, and a simpler model reflects initial deployment and incremental roll-out strategies.

30 April 2003

STEM users have their say

An online survey was posted for STEM users to assess the relative merits of a wide range of proposed developments. We present an initial assessment of the responses so far, with thanks to those who have contributed.

30 January 2003

How do Transformations work?

Transformations and expressions provide the key to adapting STEM to a wide range of applications. Can you explain the difference between calculations made in the Editor and those performed at run-time?

30 January 2003

Fantasy Service Provider Game

We are providing the network modelling software and telecom scenarios for an interactive online game, produced by Light Reading, which will let you play the role of an ILEC looking to upgrade its existing network infrastructure. You’ll set tariffs, select various next-generation network technologies, and then compare RoI with other competitors.

30 October 2002

How does linking to Excel work?

A familiar interface is a must-have for peripheral STEM users, from colleague to customer, and here we provide an essential guide to the ins and outs of linking STEM model inputs to data in Excel.

30 October 2002

Service costing for a resilient network business

In order to determine a pricing strategy for long-term survival, carriers can use STEM to automatically calculate the unit costs of all services provided on a telecoms network, broken down at the modeller’s discretion into access costs per line, backbone network costs per Mbyte or simply total costs per minute.

30 July 2002

Managing complexity with STEM 6.2

The long-awaited 6.2 update to the STEM modelling platform is nearing completion, with time-series views in the Editor, persistent formatting of graphs and tables in the Results Program and a powerful new template-replication feature with the potential to massively streamline the service and cost structures of large models.

30 April 2002

STEM User Group Meeting 2002

The Seventh Annual STEM User Group Meeting will be held on 18–20 September 2002 in the traditional surroundings of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, UK, and is of interest and value to current and prospective users alike. This popular event delivers insight into best modelling practice and deeper understanding of the latest developments in STEM, and also provides a great opportunity to meet and learn from other STEM users.

30 April 2002

STEM User Group Meeting 2017 proceedings

Our most recent customer event was held on 27–28 September 2017 at King’s College, Cambridge. The modelling track explored three growth models for a start-up business, from unconstrained to measured to driven. The remainder of the event covered the forthcoming STEM version 8.0, the revised business model for Implied Logic, and two guest presentations.

31 October 2017

When customers shape your business

As a further teaser for the STEM User Group Meeting in September 2017, we sketch out the shape of a small business, and consider three growth modes for that business. We will work through these concepts as an interactive exercise to illustrate how you can use our STEM software to measure and then forecast scale for your business activities.

28 July 2017

Connecting elements to graphs and publishing online

In what is likely to be the final preview article for the forthcoming STEM version 8.0, we explore visual connections between individual icons and a related graph, as well as intuitive, interactive options for adding an element to an existing graph. We also explore new layout options for pushing a presentation of results in STEM to the web.

28 July 2017

A radical re-think on STEM pricing

We announce a new freemium strategy for accessing the STEM software, including a free and fully-functional demo system for small projects and study as a taster for an innovative minimal-support subscription to the Conventional STEM (C-STEM) desktop solution at just GBP 330 p.a..

04 May 2017

Vision for the forthcoming STEM 8.0

As part of our vision for a more intuitive way of working that bridges previous mental leaps wherever possible, we preview another two features of the forthcoming STEM version 8.0 – direct-draw connect mode and more flexible user data – that form part of a joined-up approach to fulfilling this dream.

04 May 2017

Using a partition to ease discovery of a model

A collection is a neat way to group elements and provide systematic aggregation across all results available for those elements, and can be nested to form an element hierarchy. We are working on a new partition concept which checks a hierarchy for completeness and uniqueness, and enables a top-down results navigation where you can expand and drill-down into individual branches.

31 January 2017

Exploring cost-breakdown results in conjunction with template replication

The interface for drawing graphs has been streamlined in STEM 7.5 with dimensional selection as the norm, and more specific Linear Selection of individual combinations when required. We consider the complexities of notation, selection and spareseness, and show that STEM is the go-to application for handling cost allocation and controlling organisational spending at scale.

31 January 2017

The IT value-chain in a data centre

We have created a framework for modelling the IT value-chain in a web-scale enterprise which extrapolates conventional revenue and cost modelling from the hardware/site to value-added IaaS, PaaS and SaaS layers. This structure can then be used to compare buy/build scenarios for delivering services on either third-party or in-house platform / infrastructure / physical data centres.

31 October 2016

STEM version 7.5a release

STEM 7.5 is finally ready! Or, more precisely, STEM 7.5 has been available to a small group of early adopters since July 2016, and now a STEM 7.5a point release is available as a recommended update for all users. So what does that mean for you? These release notes explain the evolution (including a list of 27 specific refinements), and offer installation instructions and guidance on compatibility.

31 October 2016

STEM User Group Meeting 2016

A reference framework for modelling the IT value-chain in a web-scale enterprise, as well as a menu of operational tasks around SDN/NFV written on a matrix of skillsets and pay grades. See how our end-to-end calculations respond to the rough and tumble of iteration – from customers, traffic density and revenue through to server load, location, capex and opex, plus the impact of potential failure scenarios.

19 May 2016

Video commentaries and tutorial demos

Implied Logic is producing videos on the STEM business-modelling software to share with clients. Starting with some internal design reviews, and now this January 2016 video newsletter, the next phase will incorporate short, targeted videos into our existing documentation online. A video is worth a 1000 static images!

31 January 2016

STEM 7.5 into extra time

The main features are working, and much of the documentation is written, but some ‘corner functionalities’ of the new results experience are not yet complete, and a few UI ambiguities remain. The specification should be realised by the end of February 2016, but STEM 7.5 won’t be released until its quality, reliability and finality are certain.

31 January 2016

STEM User Group Meeting 2015 proceedings

The 20th annual STEM User Group Meeting in Cambridge, UK, was attended by an international audience representing telecom service providers, regulators, equipment manufacturers and consultants. The event was dominated by two themes: an SDN showcase model, and a feature-packed prototype of the forthcoming STEM version 7.5. The full proceedings of the event are available to download now.

29 October 2015

Three fundamental shifts with results

The results engine featured prominently in our recent article on STEM 7.5 development themes. We stated that graphs would be easier to draw, elements easier to select, and that result selections would be modifiable in situ. Now we explain in more detail how three specific enhancements will transform your results-selection experience in both the desktop and online environments.

31 July 2015

The energy-efficient light-bulb moment

Most individuals or households have considered whether to leave old-fashioned light bulbs in operation or replace them with energy-saving LED lights. In an unusual twist for a STEM model, the operational lifetime of a light-bulb tends to be estimated in hours, compared to years or even decades for always-on networking assets.

21 May 2015

STEM 7.5 development themes

We are working towards a more responsive results platform better suited to the slicing and dicing required by our clients, as well as the intelligent filtering essential for working with large models. The Editor will gain auto-save and zoom functions, and provide better management of critical requirement and transformation-input bases.

21 May 2015

Highlighting some gems in STEM 7.4

STEM version 7.4 was released in December 2014. Now we play a small fanfare for the comprehensive new Find function, and also examine some subtle but very satisfying changes to the way that charts are presented in the Results program and on the web.

16 February 2015

Shopping in the cloud

We explore the economics of an online retailer, from a fully-featured web store through to the internal supply management and required back-office functions. A specimen business with a market value of EUR100m p.a. could be run on just 29 shopping servers and 13 checkout servers.

07 November 2014

Fixed and variable overhead capacity per site

STEM 7.4 includes a new Minimum Slack Capacity input which demands a fixed overhead of slack capacity in addition to the variable overhead for Maximum Utilisation. An extract from the new documentation for STEM 7.4 describes the interaction of these two overheads with the existing calculations for geographical deployment, complete with relevant examples.

07 November 2014

STEM User Group Meeting 2014

Fancy a trip down the Amazon? Interested in streamlining the preparation of regulatory accounts? Ever wondered if your results could be even better – or still worse? Our 19th annual business-modelling event in October in Cambridge, UK, will feature an interactive workshop exploring the economics of an online retailer.

30 April 2014

STEM User Group Meeting 2013 proceedings

Our regular event in October at King’s College in Cambridge, UK, brings together clients and other experts from diverse organisations across several continents. The two days were dominated by new modelling topics and solutions in the showcase sessions on NGA, VoLTE and Cable. The full proceedings of the event are now available for download.

31 October 2013

Exploring the value chain for a cloud email provider

Next generation broadband networks now have the power to take the office to the business. An interactive workshop at the recent STEM User Group Meeting examined the business model for providing email as a cloud service and aimed to determine at what scale it makes economic sense for an individual company to run its own email infrastructure.

31 October 2013

New example model for a cable-network operator

Our latest web-enabled business model explores the topic of Increasing cable bandwidth to retain high-value customers. We compare the cost implications of implementing required network upgrades with the potential revenue loss of not acting in a timely manner to retain customers.

31 July 2013

What happens when a STEM model runs

In a recent support interaction involving delays running a huge model, we were asked exactly what happens behind the scenes when you press <F5> to update the results. The ensuing recommendation about the potentially significant advantages of SSD over HDD is entirely universal.

31 July 2013

New example model initiative

Implied Logic has developed web-enabled example models exploring Next generation access costing and Increasing market share with Voice Over LTE to highlight our core expertise of de-constructing and imposing an economic-evaluation logic on the most complex topics, and to underline our growing modelling partnership with clients.

03 May 2013

New advisory board

The newly appointed board gathers a wealth of expertise and experience from engineering, research and development, sales, marketing and finance positions with telecoms operators and vendors, and shares a common interest and passion for the benefits of creating business simulations for informed decision making.

03 May 2013

Windows of opportunity

We wish happiness and prosperity to our clients, associates and friends around the world with an interactive greetings card.

12 December 2012

Consulting and sales recruits for 2013

As of 01 October 2012, Frank HAUPT has accepted the position of Consulting Manager, thus increasing our capacity for internal idea development and external solution fulfilment. Renata ZAKOVA will become Sales Manager on 01 January 2013 to lead a more active direct-sales strategy to promote recent advances with the STEM platform.

26 October 2012

STEM User Group Meeting 2012 proceedings

Our 17th annual STEM User Group Meeting offered a learning agenda to challenge existing thinking and the two days were dominated by what was effectively a master-class training session on the new aggregate-handling functionality in STEM version 7.3. Immediate feedback from delegates suggests that the effort was worthwhile.

26 October 2012

Dimensioning a call centre to meet service-level targets

Relating customer demand on a call centre to underlying server costs according to varying service-level targets means dimensioning to achieve a target probability for the wait in a M/M/k queue to exceed a certain threshold. Read on to see how you can solve this kind of goal-seek problem in STEM.

31 July 2012

STEM 7.3 Beta 2 release

The earlier Beta 1 system has been on general release since the beginning of February and has been welcomed by early adopters for its improved user experience and great stability. STEM 7.3 Beta 2 is now the recommended and fully-documented platform for all users.

15 May 2012

A month in the life of a consumable resource

This slightly tongue-in-cheek example, inspired by a client birthday at last year’s User Group event, nicely illustrates the difference between eating a slice of a consumable cake (at most) once and ‘having a persistent cake resource and eating it’ – again and again and again …

15 May 2012

Implied Logic on Facebook

It had to happen. We created a page for Implied Logic on Facebook. So why should you care about that? We suggest that you write any initial thoughts on our Wall! And then you can see what other people think about it too. And of course if you ‘like’ the Implied Logic page, then you will receive notifications of any interesting activity.

02 February 2012

Implied Logic hosting proposition for eSTEM

Sharing business models on the web just got one step easier. If you don’t have the time to manage your own web server, Implied Logic can host the implementation for you. We now have an ‘out of the box’ solution that can publish a web GUI for your models in a matter of minutes.

30 November 2011

STEM User Group Meeting 2011 proceedings

Twenty delegates from twelve different organisations representing operators, vendors, consultants and academics attended the 16th annual STEM User Group Meeting in October. Register now to access the full proceedings, including modelling examples and new product features.

30 November 2011

Techniques from the road on ring dimensioning

Fibre rings are a ubiquitous feature of broadband networks and therefore feature prominently in planning and cost modelling exercises. There are well established techniques for estimating the so-called ‘geographical overhead’ of such topologies without ever ‘drawing a map’, and we routinely coach clients through the required methodology.

29 July 2011

STEM User Group Meeting 2011

Our annual gathering, 05–06 October 2011, at King’s College, Cambridge, UK, will showcase financial-modelling techniques relating to radio-access upgrades and data-network configuration, and will feature some mild audience participation to illustrate a few, evergreen mathematical realities highly relevant to OTT video dimensioning today.

06 May 2011

Business-model delivery in a flash

Imagine a STEM model in a web page, and then think slick, Flash model presentation with a live connection to a STEM model running on a server, and you will have a fair idea of a current development thread to be unveiled in October 2011

06 May 2011

STEM version 7.2c release

STEM version 7.2c was released on Monday 31 January 2011, and is the first Implied Logic branded issue of the software. This is a mandatory update for all current soft-licence users as the legacy soft-licensing server at Analysys Mason will be switched off at the end of March.

31 January 2011

Implied Logic strategy update

Client reaction to Implied Logic’s acquisition of the STEM software has been very positive, with all parties warmly embracing the concept of a stronger software product proposition no longer tied to a single consulting house.

31 January 2011

STEM User Group Meeting 2010

Our 2010 business-modelling event will run from Tuesday–Wednesday 5–6 October at King’s College, Cambridge UK, and will also celebrate the recent launch in June of Implied Logic as the new owner of the STEM business-modelling software for networks.

23 July 2010

Interconnection on Class-of-Service based NGNs

In legacy systems, interconnection is provided on a best-efforts basis, but NGN technology makes it possible to provide interconnection services that support several different levels, or classes, of quality of service (QoS). A STEM model examines the cost benefits for a European ISP of replacing best-effort with QoS-supporting interconnection.

30 April 2010

Mathematical subtleties of modelling opex

We illustrate how the STEM resource concept is used in conjunction with task estimates from installation-rate and annual fault-rate transformations to forecast headcount and capture activity costs. A new incremental output basis may help this work seamlessly in a shorter time-period context.

28 January 2010

STEM 7.2 release

STEM 7.2 was released on 14 October 2009 and is available for licensed users to download from our website. New features making the software more intuitive to learn and easier to use day-to-day include new connection and text-box tools, a results export wizard for Excel, and a time-saving auto-column format option for aggregate results such as traffic volume, revenue, capex and opex.

23 October 2009

Modelling broadband access in rural areas

Independent consultants DOK Systeme have been using STEM as a generic platform for modelling the cost and revenue drivers associated with the use of WiMAX to target digitally disadvantaged rural areas of Germany. This article explores the market and technical issues which the model addresses, and identifies a number of potential risks to the business model which has been established so far.

23 July 2009

FREE trial linked to STEM client survey

Read our summary of initial responses to the December 2008 survey, and how we plan to act on this feedback. Prospective customers completing the survey now will be entitled to a FREE, one-month trial evaluation.

30 April 2009

STEM modelling solutions for tax on sale of goods

This latest technical article examines our response to a typical (and recent) modelling support request. An x% uplift on the cost of certain capital assets is modelled in the surrogate context of a business case for VoIP over air.

30 April 2009

Modelling the drivers of enterprise ICT

The interactive business-modelling exercise at this year’s STEM User Group Meeting will examine cost drivers such as telephony, computing, storage, security and help-desk support. Quantifying the benefits of these activities can help a CIO communicate the organisational contribution of these services and justify the associated budget allocation.

31 July 2008

Brand new STEM training course

A comprehensive new training course is available, written around a demonstration model, The business case for WiMAX vs DSL in rural areas.  The 190-page exercise book presents 55 exercises in 15 groups covering all key features of the STEM software and current modelling practices.

30 April 2008

STEM 7.2 in refinement

The headline features of STEM version 7.2 are mostly complete.  The principal objective is to make the software easier to learn and to hand over to colleagues.

30 April 2008

The Monte Carlo distribution for real

Network business models must account for geography, but typically data is only available at an aggregate level in the early stages of planning. This refresher article illustrates how STEM can make a realistic allowance for slack equipment capacity across a distributed network, how it can perform a manageable site-by-site calculation when the data becomes available, and how the results compare.

01 January 2008

STEM User Group Meeting 2007 proceedings

The 2007 STEM User Group Meeting was a learning opportunity and forum for excellence in business modelling, focused around applications and features of the STEM business-modelling software for networks.

30 October 2007

Modelling distributed car hire

Building a model of a car-hire company in STEM guides thinking about critical business issues facing the operator and quickly identifies sensitivities of the business model to key parameters such as the residual value of a vehicle.

30 October 2007

Looking ahead to STEM 8.0

We will review fundamental attributes of STEM to create an anything-drives-anything model, update the service model to accommodate traffic profiles and priority classes, streamline data entry in the Editor, and simplify the results selection logic for graphs (enabling modifications in situ).

30 July 2007

STEM 7.1 release

STEM 7.1 was released on 30 April, with an integrated sensitivity analysis tool heading a strong cast of new features designed to boost your business modelling output, plus improved portability for distributed model packages.

30 April 2007

STEM online desktop

New regular online sales demos will showcase STEM applications and answer client queries on an interactive and immediate basis. In addition our support staff can now help you solve problems first hand.

30 April 2007

WiMAX on the urban periphery

A new reference model examines the deployment of a consumer-focused WiMAX operator in Brittany targeted at sparsely populated areas with at least 1000 inhabitants and a minimal density of 30 pop/km2.

30 January 2007

STEM User Group Meeting 2006 proceedings

Our annual showcase of business models for fixed and mobile technologies was held on 20–21 September in Cambridge, UK, and represented a unique opportunity to learn about the activities of other STEM users from around the world.

30 October 2006

Modelling public safety radio networks

DOK SYSTEME has used STEM to calculate costs for the German public safety network. This TETRA network will have more than 4000 base stations.

30 October 2006

A business model for WiMAX mobile

Another Masters student at CEFRIEL has considered the economic aspects of WiMAX. A previous STEM model for a nationwide mobile access network has been updated and improved with a more accurate path-loss model, more detailed tariffs, and additional network elements.

30 July 2006

Open training in September

Our open-training initiative continued in May with another successful course which included a modelling workshop on migration of a TDM network to NGN. Book your place at the next open-training session planned for the four working days 14–19 September, immediately before the STEM User Group Meeting, 20–21 September 2006 in Cambridge, UK.

30 July 2006

Modelling subscriber churn

Subscriber churn is an inevitable characteristic of competitive markets. This latest technical article describes approaches for modelling two different churn situations in mobile and fixed networks.

30 April 2006

Buy STEM for a thousand pounds!

STEM offers a comprehensive range of productivity-enhancing features built on an established process which focuses on specific quantitative inputs and assumptions. An entry-level system is now available from GBP1000 which models up to 30 elements of service demand and equipment installation.

30 January 2006

Business case for VoIP and hosted services

Philip Murtagh of Dasein Ltd has developed a generic business case examining how a small operator might integrate VoIP with existing hosted services.

30 October 2005

State-of-the-art business-case studies in telecoms

The Telecommunication Development Bureau of the ITU is developing partnerships with vendors of network-planning tools to support its activities in developing countries. The STEM business-case modelling software joins a roster of tools to be presented during official ITU-BDT missions.

30 October 2005

Sales tool for Managed Communication Services

Alcatel has used D-STEM to create a sales tool for its Managed Communication Services, launched in partnership with Verizon. The tool demonstrates the benefits of MCS to customers, rapidly evaluating possible combinations of the MCS features and applications to meet individual customers’ requirements.

30 July 2005

Excel link generator

STEM supports a flexible format for reading data from Excel which keeps the inputs as compact as possible. This technical article describes a new mechanism to automate the population of such Excel ranges which will massively simplify the process of exporting links.

30 July 2005

STEM User Group Meeting 2005

2005 marks the celebration of our tenth annual STEM User Group Meeting, which will combine live modelling exercises, guest presentations and master classes (21–22 September, Jesus College, Cambridge, UK).

30 April 2005

Ericsson models HSDPA with distributable STEM

Ericsson has developed a comprehensive financial modelling tool for HSDPA using its newly acquired D-STEM licence.

30 January 2005

Connecting platforms with the STEM add-in toolbar

Run-time models created with D-STEM can be packaged and controlled entirely by a self-contained Excel interface. This technical article describes the STEM add-in toolbar for Excel which enables this synthesis.

30 January 2005

New-look business-modelling event

A range of industry speakers shared the platform with Analysys at the recent STEM User Group Meeting. The programme included an interactive workshop exploring the business case for WiMax vs DSL in rural areas.

30 October 2004

Modelling of a complex NGN migration project

Siemens’ Customer Value argumentation team of ICN Carrier Networks (based in Munich, Germany) has built a model to investigate and evaluate the economic merits of migrating an existing TDM-based incumbent operator network, CANTV in Venezuela, to an NGN (IP-based) network.

30 July 2004

Analysis of last-mile broadband solutions

Users and their needs must define the technical specifications for networks, and drive the economic selection of the most suitable technology. A Masters student at CEFRIEL has used STEM to model ADSL, Gigabit Ethernet, UMTS, WiFi and WiMax access technologies in collaboration with Alcatel.

30 July 2004

Modelling enterprise IT infrastructure

Phil Murtagh, consultant with Dasein Ltd in Ireland, has been developing business-planning models for enterprise clients in EMEA and North America.

30 April 2004

Business case evaluation for network expansion

Mahindra BT recently helped a mobile operator in Eastern Europe to review the business case for extended GSM coverage and a new TETRA network.

30 January 2004

The economic case for next-generation voice

Our expert practitioners have developed a framework, in collaboration with Siemens and Mahindra BT, for assessing the economic case for VoIP in the incumbent core voice network.

30 October 2003

New applications and features

We have produced a new and compact summary of the most common applications and features of STEM, complete with a description of the main model inputs and outputs and a profile of the typical user.

30 October 2003

Developing NGN business cases for Asia Pacific telcos

Siemens’ Business Development team, based in Singapore, has been working with various operators in the Asia Pacific region to analyse the economic value of their planned investments.

30 July 2003

Training for success with confidence

Prospective clients often ask about STEM training, and so we give details of the scope of courses provided, plus an insight into our proven two-stage approach.

30 July 2003

Business-driven multimedia solutions

Marconi Communications and Ericsson have been using STEM to provide strategic and business-planning support to design end-to-end network solutions for a converged multimedia and telecoms operator in South Africa.

30 April 2003

What will be new in STEM 7.0?

This milestone development, planned for release Q4 2003, will embrace a new depth of analysis, including intrinsic support for data services, new financial calculations, and Service results broken down by individual Resources.

30 April 2003

Business-case evaluation of rural telecoms licences

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa is offering licences to use GSM spectrum for fixed-wireless access in low-teledensity areas, for tender by April 2003. Forge Ahead BMI-T is providing consulting and support services and Ericsson, as the solution provider, is modelling the business case in STEM.

30 January 2003

Latest incremental features in STEM

We maintain a constant balance between long-term development initiatives and more immediate response to achievable requests from users. Read about a number of useful features which we have slipped into the latest build.

30 January 2003

First or last to next-generation voice?

Work has started on a new reference model examining the economic case for the shift to VoIP in the public switched telephony network, focusing on the historically diverse infrastructure of the incumbent operator, and not forgetting that the customer is king.

30 October 2002

Distributable STEM and the Internet

The STEM User Group Meeting in Cambridge in September saw the first live demonstration of the new eSTEM technology, a COM interface enabling D-STEM licensees to publish access to STEM models in a Web browser.

30 October 2002

LRIC analysis of a voice backbone network

Telkom Indonesia wished to model a voice backbone network with 29 trunk switches from three different manufacturers and 178 bearers on a number of transmission technologies. Building such a complex model would normally be a time-consuming process, but STEM’s new replication feature enabled Telkom to quickly determine the LRIC of a minute of traffic on each of a total of 435 routes between trunk switches.

30 July 2002

How does cost allocation work?

An examination of the cost-allocation mechanism in STEM, looking at the calculation structure, multiple cost streams, resource age tracking and used/slack costs, plus a preview of some new developments including direct costs, intermediate slack results and breakdown of service costs by resource.

30 July 2002

Re-modelling a wireless network with template replication

A new suite of STEM reference models on ADSL, MAN, UMTS and WLAN, published on this site in February 2002, have been attracting a lot of attention. With the imminent release of STEM 6.2, we are now looking at how this new technology revolutionises and simplifies conventional approaches to modelling service packages and cost categories.

30 April 2002

How does incremental demand work?

A concise summary of the demand and supply sides of incremental demand, maximum utilisation, deployment, planned units, supply ratios, Functions and pre-run installation.

30 April 2002

Free subscription when we review your business model

How well do you understand your business? It may be profitable now, but how prepared are you for this to change? We have a track record of analysing individual services or entire businesses in an interactive workshop style that engages and informs. Our visual software enables multi-disciplinary dialogue about the business you thought you knew and the more uncertain future ahead.

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STEM User Group Meeting 2017 proceedings

Our most recent customer event was held on 27–28 September 2017 at King’s College, Cambridge. The modelling track explored three growth models for a start-up business, from unconstrained to measured to driven. The remainder of the event covered the forthcoming STEM version 8.0, the revised business model for Implied Logic, and two guest presentations.

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A freshly baked model of a start-up

We examine Michaela’s Best Bread Direct service, from her first unconstrained vision, through a more realistic measured phase and finally to a more ambitious, customer-driven approach. We demonstrate how STEM can be applied to almost any business topic and always delivers a systematic and reliable treatment of time and money.

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Business-case design and training at your service

Ever wondered what we do at Implied Logic? We have recently posted a comprehensive update to our services portfolio online which is effectively a self-service proposal for everything from online training on-demand through to on-site business-modelling consulting and hosting services for business models on the web.

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Connecting elements to graphs and publishing online

In what is likely to be the final preview article for the forthcoming STEM version 8.0, we explore visual connections between individual icons and a related graph, as well as intuitive, interactive options for adding an element to an existing graph. We also explore new layout options for pushing a presentation of results in STEM to the web.

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Our latest help and training materials

Documentation is never regarded as a very exciting activity, but our comprehensive help and training materials are a vital element of the self-serve experience with STEM. In the last quarter we have posted two significant updates to our online help site which enhance both of these aspects.

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A radical re-think on STEM pricing

We announce a new freemium strategy for accessing the STEM software, including a free and fully-functional demo system for small projects and study as a taster for an innovative minimal-support subscription to the Conventional STEM (C-STEM) desktop solution at just GBP 330 p.a..

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Vision for the forthcoming STEM 8.0

As part of our vision for a more intuitive way of working that bridges previous mental leaps wherever possible, we preview another two features of the forthcoming STEM version 8.0 – direct-draw connect mode and more flexible user data – that form part of a joined-up approach to fulfilling this dream.

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