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With an MNS provider, a user should be able to demand
and obtain a single end-to-end SLA, even if multiple carriers are
providing the underlying infrastructure. |
A managed network service (MNS)
offering for an enterprise customer generally consists of a flexible
best-of-breed solution comprised of a customized bundle of services that can
include all or some of the following: network design, implementation,
operation, management, monitoring and maintenance, as well as optimization
for cost and/or performance. It can involve virtually any communication
service, ranging from private line, point-to-point broadband data
connectivity to multiprotocol label switching (MPLS), IP virtual private
networks, ATM or Frame Relay.
Some of the potential primary benefits of opting for an MNS solution versus
using an enterprise’s in-house staff to deploy and operate a domestic or
global enterprise network include:
- lower capital outlay;
- easier migration to new technology;
- potential for lower costs or more bandwidth for your buck;
- less strain on in-house IT resources; and
- single point of contact even if multiple facilities-based carriers
are used.
From a practical point of view, an MNS can help to eliminate the need for
entering into multiple contracts with the various equipment vendors and
carriers (and the associated interoperability issues, different taxes and
capital expenditures) that may be required to acquire and deploy the
connectivity for a wide area domestic or global network. If an enterprise
tries to put together its own network using multiple carriers, there is no
single point of contact and no single service-level agreement (SLA). By
contrast, with an MNS provider, a user should be able to demand and obtain a
single end-to-end SLA, even if multiple carriers are providing the
underlying infrastructure.
A similar consideration in deciding whether to do it yourself or use an MNS
concerns the acquisition of customer premises equipment that may be required
to implement an enterprise network solution. Whereas implementing an
enterprise network on your own could require the capital expenditure to
obtain equipment at every terminating location to utilize the connectivity
provided by carriers in between, an MNS may be able to bundle the use of
equipment as part of the operating cost of the managed service.
When searching for an MNS provider–whether an integrator, virtual network
operator (VNO) or facilities-based carrier–there are a number of “best
practices” that should be considered.
- How will the MNS provide the connectivity to get you to the various
locations for your network?
- What is the quality and reliability of the service being provided in
terms of availability, performance and continuity?
- How is the MNS addressing security; what are the potential
weaknesses and can the MNS address these weaknesses?
- Can the MNS provide a cost-effective design and what are the
alternatives? Does the solution come within, below or above the return
on investment (ROI) figures? Is ROI an issue or do you need to be in a
given location for strategic reasons and cost is not the primary issue?
- What is the level of experience and knowledge of the MNS provider in
providing service in terms of technology and geographic regions for
which you need service?
Keeping in mind the MNS best practices, when looking at different MNS
providers, you may also want to consider whether the provider has its own
facilities-based network. This is an important consideration because the
provider with its own facilities-based network may likely be more committed
to providing a solution that maximizes usage of its own network. By
contrast, a provider that has relationships with multiple carriers–such as a
VNO, telecom service integrator or systems integrator–is less likely to be
committed to a particular underlying network infrastructure. Moreover, the
more facilities-based carriers that the MNS has relationships with, the
better value and flexibility they may be able to provide to an enterprise
customer.
For example, the spread in pricing for a 155-Mbps optical OC-3 circuit
between Herndon, Va., and Athens, Ga., from different underlying
facilities-based carriers can range from $18,195 for the low-cost option to
$37,561 per month for the 10th best price, a $19,366 difference each month.
In another case, there is more than a $2,700 per month spread for a 45-Mbps
DS-3 circuit between Princeton, N.J., and Alpharetta, Ga., with underlying
carrier pricing that ranges between $8,133 and $10,909 per month. Similarly,
the cost for a dedicated Internet access port and local loop in Newark,
N.J., at the DS-3 rate of 45 Mbps can vary between $2,340 per month to
$17,069.
Another important consideration in choosing an MNS is its knowledge of
international markets and networks. Deploying an enterprise network has its
challenges, but the question of addressing global enterprise network
requirements only further complicates matters. For instance, in an
international, multicountry scenario, there can be inconsistency in both
services offered and service quality. In some cases, there may only be a
single local government-owned telco on which to rely. Some are sophisticated
in their offerings; some are not.
Consequently, when looking for an MNS, you should make sure that the
provider is knowledgeable of the communications infrastructure in the
regions in which you have requirements. It should also provide 24/7 support
and multilingual technicians. The risk of not having the proper support is
to have an extended loss of service for two or more weeks.
Occasionally, you may have to compromise on the quality, reliability and
availability of service. An MNS provider should know when these compromises
have to be made and plan accordingly. For example, if you are looking to
implement an MPLS strategy and you have requirements in some of the
developing nations, you likely will have to consider alternatives.
Under these circumstances, you may be able to deploy MPLS to Johannesburg,
South Africa, for example, but for connectivity in the sub-Sahara region,
the best you might be able to do is a hybrid approach in which you deploy an
IP VPN over a dial-up voice line. An MNS provider should be able to help the
enterprise customer identify these considerations in an international
network deployment and determine the best course of action from among the
available options.
Andrew Goldsmith is vice president of marketing and strategic planning at
Global Telecom & Technology, McLean, Va.
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