In their annual study of the European communications market*, industry analyst Forrester has noted that in 2006 a third of the deals for managed services signed between businesses and communications providers had a discrete IT element in them. Usually this was riding on the back of a main purchase of managed WAN connectivity (both voice and data) or managed voice services.

NOT JUST THE MAJOR CORPORATES

For UK communications providers this increasing trend potentially opens up the prospect of entering new markets and generating important new revenues, simply by complementing their connectivity or data sales with the offer of IT-based managed solutions.

Services to improve network security, customer service and business processes and to keep dispersed workforces in touch can all have a big appeal for small and medium-size companies. They are a particularly attractive option if they are easily available from a trusted existing partner, so avoiding the cost and time involved in seeking out and managing new supplier relationships.

* Source: "European Telecom Operator Managed Services Deals Survey: 2006" (Forrester, January 2007)

 

READ BETWEEN THE LINES

As a key element of its Equipment portfolio, BT Wholesale offers a range of cost-effective managed IT solutions from leading manufacturers to enable communications providers to build on their connectivity and data services sales without having to become IT experts themselves. On offer are fully integrated, fully supported and managed packages of value-added services that include desktop security, IT support and online storage and back-up services.