Managing Transformation Feature Editorial

How Engaging an Outsourced Vendor Can Simplify Transformation Planning

By Susan J. Campbell, TMCnet Contributing Editor

Network operators and service providers are facing a new beginning as business transformation is necessary to embrace the new and emerging trends in technology. Consumers continue to demand more form the experience delivered by these companies and an inability to deliver on expectations will send customers running for the competition and network operators struggling to survive. 

To help embrace this trend, fixed, fixed-mobile and mobile operators are working together in their delivery of broadband services. As traditional operators and emerging players are vying for competitive advantage through the delivery of a wide array of new content and service offerings, operators are seeking new strategies in order to differentiate and compete successfully. To do so operators need to adopt new strategic operations approaches and outsourcing business models, according to Alcatel-Lucent (News - Alert) officials. 

Operators must make this change in order to reduce capital and operating expenses and generate new revenue. At the same time, they must define the business models necessary to help them to meet critical business goals. 

To accomplish these things, the operator must choose a managed services partner with a deep mix of experience and expertise in order to fully realize the benefits enabled by the new business model. A migration of the business model to include full outsourcing demands the business transforms through a full outsourcing solution that will combine with different migration activities in the space of network technologies, subscribers, services, OSS/BSS and business and operational processes. 

Benefits that can be realized include reduced CapEx and OpEx, a transfer of the risk, optimized performance and the generation of revenue from new services. In selecting the right partner to be sure all promised benefits can come to fruition, there are a number of criteria to consider. 

First, the operator must make sure the partner has global references that can attest to industry-leading knowledge. In addition, this provide should have a comprehensive and demonstrable knowledge of networks and best practices, as well as the full support of its corporation.It is also important that the potential partner has a proven record of delivering low-risk, high-benefit solutions. 

Given the need of operators to offload operational and technology risk, this element is essential. A flexible business model will also help in speeding time to market and delivering enhanced customer support. 

Finally, the managed service partner should be able to demonstrate the dedicated program ownership and clear accountability through service and performance metrics, as well as business-driven key-performance indicators. Operational efficiency is essential, as well as the ability to eliminate silos and streamline processes to deliver business benefits and ease the transformation process.
Susan J. Campbell is a contributing editor for TMCnet and has also written for eastbiz.com. To read more of Susan’s articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Erin Harrison