As much as the voice and data networks are a critical asset in meeting the challenges  of growing revenues, satisfying customers and keeping operational expenses in check, maintaining an adequate focus on such networks in the context of the overall IP operations can be a daunting task.

Too often, network operations can divert resources and focus from the core business, which can impact the bottom line. As a result of this primary challenge, the IP network is a prime candidate for outsourcing to enable the organization to benefit from the functionality, performance, capability and security delivering through a platform that can increase productivity and innovation.

In order to drive growth and productivity initiatives within the enterprise, solid network support is essential. The effective deployment and management of a secure and responsive network supporting communications and network applications help to drive such business initiatives as globalization, branch automation, workforce virtualization and post-merger integration.

In truth, the team responsible for the design and maintenance of the enterprise network must be able to fully understand the needs and operation of its constituents, applications, and the other networks to which it connects.

Such understanding must include performance, capacity, quality of service, communications protocols and vulnerability. Such factors demand constant and specialized attention that can be delivered by experienced technology and business experts in an outsourced environment.

Over the past 15 years, the enterprise network has changed dramatically and now supports the Internet, mobile and wireless voice and data, messaging and even content. The variety of channels of communication and interaction that now exist within the enterprise network demand more than a simple IT approach or the company could risk rising costs or systems that cannot be sustained for the long term.

Significant challenges exist in the maintenance of a secure, productive and cost-effective network, adding value to the business case for outsourcing the management of the IP network. A partner that can address all aspects of the enterprise network management and transformation will deliver considerable value to the enterprise and can often do so at a lower cost than maintaining such support in-house.

In selecting the right partner, it is important to examine the potential partner's experience, references and position in the marketplace. It is also important to consider the depth of support that the vendor will provide to the team monitoring and transforming the network. Knowledge of service provider and enterprise networks is highly valuable, as it knowledge of both voice and data networks.

To extract the most value from an outsourcing team, the enterprise should build a powerful relationship with a single network outsourcing partner, allowing the enterprise to reduce costs and improve service while concentrating on products and customers.