GR-209: Product Change Notices
Reduce Negative Impacts of Product Changes!
GR-209 issue 07, Generic Requirements for Product Change Notices (PCNs)
It often becomes necessary for suppliers to introduce changes to telecommunications products that have been in service for some time. It is imperative that changes to these products are accurately reported and tracked through completion, according to the needs and requirements of the carriers.
GR-209 provides suppliers of telecommunications products with generic requirements and procedures for initiating and administering Product Change Notices (PCNs) and associated reports. These PCNs and reports should be used by suppliers as the most effective means of exchanging product change information with customers.
GR-209 Issue 7 addresses a number of issues that were opened since Issue 6 was published. Some of the changes in Issue 7 of this GR include:
- Definitions of Form, Fit, and Function as applied to both hardware and software changes have been included.
- Clarification of the PCN process for critical software changes has been added that include a potential breach of network security, such as malicious attacks, phishing, worms, etc.
- Clarification has been included to explain the billing process for software changes.
- Clarification of need to isolate Class A and AC PCNs from other PCN classes has been included.
- A new section has been added explaining the application of the PCN process to third- party companies which provide extended product support for hardware.
- A new Objective O4-21 [125] was added to specify time frame objectives for advanced notice of product discontinuation.