BroadSoft Validation - In this case, the vendor partner provides a unit of their product to BroadSoft so that the BroadSoft Interop Team can install the product in our interop lab and perform the interop validation.

Vendor Validation -The vendor partner is supplied with the BroadSoft interop technical documentation, along with user accounts on the BroadSoft external interop test system or a BroadWorks system for deployment in the vendor's own interop lab. The vendor performs the validation testing, with e-mail support from the BroadSoft Interop Team.

Customer Validation -One of BroadSoft's customers performs the validation testing. The customer has access to the BroadSoft technical interop documentation through our KnowledgeBase, and also receives e-mail support from the BroadSoft Interop Team.

Outsourcer Validation -The validation testing is performed by an external third-party company. The outsourcer has installed a BroadWorks system in its lab and has access to the BroadSoft technical interop documentation. The outsourcer also is trained on how to configure BroadWorks for different devices, and how to carry out the actual test cases.

Assessment Phase - In this phase, informal preliminary testing is performed. BroadSoft typically holds preliminary technical discussions with the vendor, and provides the vendor with BroadSoft technical interop documentation. The testing may be performed by BroadSoft, the vendor partner, a customer, or a testing outsourcer.

Validation Phase -Formal validation testing is performed. This implies that a test plan has been executed and test results have been recorded. Again, the Validation Phase may be performed by BroadSoft, the vendor, a customer, or a testing outsourcer.

Maintenance Phase - In the final phase, formal validation re-testing is performed on validated products. This is essentially regression testing of new software versions of partners' products with new software versions of BroadWorks. Again, the Maintenance Phase may be performed by BroadSoft, the vendor, a customer, or a testing outsourcer