A new global report on IPTV Back-Office Systems from MRG, Inc, analyzes the five main elements of back- office software that carriers need to deploy IPTV into today's competitive triple-play markets.

As part of MRG's IPTV Tracking Service, the new report provides detailed analysis of successful back-office and middleware strategies. It also describes the back-office strategies of major incumbents including Belgacom, France Telecom, NTT, PCCW, SBC, and Verizon; and major CLECs including FastWeb, Neuf Telecom, Free, and others.

"Winning in the IPTV market requires having a competitive back-office strategy from the beginning," states Bob Larribeau, MRG Senior Analyst. "In this report, we examine pros and cons of the two main strategies -- 'minimalist' for IPTV-only back-office software, and 'transitional' for triple-play back-office software that includes IPTV."

The report, IPTV Back Office Systems: Quarterly Technology & Content Report -- July 2005, shows how successful IPTV back office strategies differ in various global markets. "Both carriers and back-office suppliers have to vary their offerings region by region," states Gary Schultz, MRG CEO. "This report is the only one available that covers IPTV back-office operations, strategies, and suppliers on a global basis."

Also included is a unique market leader analysis for each of the 24 back- office companies, broken into three regions (North America, EMEA, and Rest of World) and five application categories. The five applications include IPTV Middleware, Content Management, Service Fulfillment/Assurance, Billing/Customer Care, and System Integration. Profiled companies include Microsoft, Alcatel, IBM, MetaSolv, Siemens, Telcordia and others. Profiles include tabulated details about each company's product offerings, customers, partners and revenues; and real-world insights about deploying new back-office systems.

IPTV Back Office Systems: Quarterly Technology & Content Report -- July 2005 is available as a departmental PDF license for $2,995.00; a corporate PDF license for $3,995.00; a printed version for $1,995.00; or a free copy is available as part of MRG's IPTV Tracking Service. This 118-page report was co-produced with OSS Strategies. For more information or to order the report, contact Rob Smith at 408-524-9767 or rsmith@mrgco.com, or visit www.mrgco.com.