AdvancedTCA: Standardized or Custom, get it your way!

Today's market is composed of many segmented components defined by PICMG's Advanced Telecommunications Computer Architecture (AdvancedTCA) standards: from node boards and hub boards to shelf management and industrial chassis equipment. Each vendor will make their push to promote unique features and superior advantages of their ATCA products over the competitors. What criteria are key to delivering a cost effective, highly reliable telecommunications/networking platform? How does one transition the legacy solution that today manages circuits and packets without creating service interruptions?