Bell System Practices Information
The Bell System Practices is a multi-volume encyclopedia of technology information developed and formerly maintained by the Bell System's Bell Labs for use by its employees.[1] Everything from accounting and human resources procedures to complete technical breakdowns of every product serviced by the Bell System is covered, with details specific to the best way to wrap a wire around a screw.
Each Practice was designated by a nine digit number, divided into groups of three. The first three digits, referred to as the "division", indicated a broad subject area such as subscriber sets or the No. 1 ESS. The next three digits indicated a specific subject area such as specific type of equipment used within the No. 1 ESS. The final three digits indicated the type of practice. These could be general descriptive information, information on wiring and connections, test procedures, or piece-part replacement and repair information.
With sections regularly updated, printed and distributed, the "BSPs" were the key to the standardized service quality throughout the country, and allowed employees who had never met to easily work with one another in the event of a service outage disaster or merely when relocating.
After the Bell System divestiture of 1984 many changes happened with regard to the organization BSPs. The term "Bell System" was limited in where it could be used. Sections that covered equipment and topics that stayed with Bell Labs and therefore AT&T were renamed to AT&T Practices. Some topics were transferred to Bellcore who continued to publish under the title Bellcore Recommendation. Many of the Regional Bell Operating Companies published their own practices over the years and after divestiture continued to do this under various names such as Bell Service Practices. As companies changed hands over the years publication never ceased but many AT&T Practices eventually were renamed to Lucent Technology Practices. Avaya and Alcatel-Lucent still publish practices using the BSP section numbering format.
See Also
References
- ^ Bell System Practices Numerical Index Division 000 - General Information - Section 000-00-000, Issue 25, August, 1973
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