There is a growing need for IT and telecom convergence within the enterprise. As this happens, network transformation can improve business processes, innovation and collaboration. One prime example of this benefit is in the 10-year global alliance of Alcatel-Lucent (News - Alert) and HP.

Technology is driving convergence, but the acceptance of the movement is truly coming from the tangible benefits to businesses and consumers. Obviously the primary focus of convergence and transformation is the impact on the bottom line. When two networks are combined into one, two devices are combined into one or two databases are combined into one, the result is a lower total cost of ownership (TCO).

Convergence (News - Alert) presents a vital part of an overall cost-saving solution as it helps to remove barriers between networks, people, process and knowledge. When these barriers are removed, business processes and decision making speed increases, which saves time and money.

With a converged solution, there is a single-point of visibility of IT and telecoms operations, providing the opportunity to manage both more effectively. There is also a practical standpoint to convergence as dealing with one single supplier for a solution rather than two separate providers can help to reduce costs through simplified interaction.

At the same time, the company can also enjoy improved business agility and better collaboration between employees to enable innovation and allow new services to be brought to market much more quickly. In truth, convergence has contributed directly to the emergence of new solutions and better ways to serve customers as a dynamic enterprise.

Christel Heydemann, vice president of strategic alliance HP at Alcatel-Lucent, explained the convergence between her company and HP: "The combined experience of HP and Alcatel-Lucent clearly positions this alliance as the leader in ICT. With the broadest portfolio in the industry, we will help customers worldwide leverage technology to transform their businesses, overcome their challenges and thrive in an unpredictable market." 

In the long term, convergence assures customers of long-term SLAs with a single point of execution. The alliance between Alcatel-Lucent and HP is well placed to respond to enterprises' growing interest in managed and hosted communication solutions.

The main principles of convergence are broadly applicable, no matter what network the enterprise is operating, what devices are being used or the media that will be converged. In simple terms, what is good for voice and data, or fixed and mobile, will also be good for IT and telecommunications.