Managed Network Services: Enterprise Needs and Provider Evaluation
Is your network truly an enabler of business performance, innovation, and resilience, or is its growing complexity holding you back? The increasing complexity of multi-cloud adoption and AI-driven operations has heightened the need for agile, secure, and intelligent network infrastructure. In this context, Managed Network Services (MNS) have emerged as a strategic solution, enabling enterprises to modernize their operations, enhance performance, and mitigate risk without increasing operational burden.
According to Gartner, by 2027, at least 20% of initial network configurations will be automated through Generative AI (GenAI) and Intent-Based Networking (IBN). Additionally, enterprise demand for single-vendor Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) solutions is expected to grow significantly, as organizations seek simplified network architectures that integrate security and connectivity. As enterprises move away from legacy contracts and siloed tools, they increasingly seek MNS providers that offer carrier-agnostic architecture, advanced automation, and full lifecycle support aligned with evolving business needs.
Core Requirements for Enterprise MNS
As enterprises shift away from fragmented tools and rigid legacy contracts, their expectations from Managed Network Services are evolving just as rapidly. The following emerging trends reflect the key capabilities and business outcomes that modern MNS providers must deliver to stay relevant.
Consolidated SASE and SD-WAN Architectures:
Enterprises are shifting toward unified SASE and SD-WAN solutions to eliminate complexity and streamline operations. The convergence of network and security functions—such as secure web gateways (SWGs), cloud access security brokers (CASBs), and next-generation firewalls—enables consistent policy enforcement across distributed environments. Enterprises expect MNS providers to deliver integrated, scalable platforms that support a wide range of use cases, including remote work, cloud-native applications, and edge computing. Providers must demonstrate the ability to deliver these platforms as a cohesive, single-vendor solution while ensuring interoperability with existing infrastructure.
AI-Driven Automation and Operational Efficiency:
The use of AI in network management is skyrocketing. Today, enterprises expect at least 20% of network configurations and changes to be automated using GenAI or Intent-Based Networking. This helps speed up deployment, reduces human errors, and ensures the network aligns with business goals. MNS providers must demonstrate how they utilize AI and machine learning to facilitate zero-touch provisioning, predictive analytics, and root cause analysis. Key metrics include First Contact Resolution (FCR) rates of over 80% and resolving at least 20% of incidents through automation. Providers that utilize AI in their service platforms can resolve issues more quickly, enhance service quality, and reduce operational costs.
Carrier-Agnostic Flexibility:
Enterprises increasingly seek to decouple their network strategy from legacy carrier contracts that restrict flexibility and responsiveness. SD-WAN’s transport independence underscores the value of carrier-agnostic MNS providers, who enable dynamic selection and optimization of local access providers. Unlike switching core OEM platforms or MNS providers, adjusting underlying transport networks should be a low-risk, high-control decision. MNS providers must demonstrate deep integration capabilities with diverse network service providers (NSPs), offering clients the freedom to optimize for price, performance, and resilience without vendor lock-in.
Support for Emerging Network Use Cases:
The enterprise network is expanding into new domains. Private 5G, software-defined LAN (SD-LAN), Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), and secure IoT/OT networks are now core components of modern architecture. MNS providers must support these technologies across various environments like data centers, branch offices, manufacturing floors, and remote locations. Expertise in leading platforms such as Cisco ACI, Aruba EdgeConnect, and cloud-native ZTNA implementations is increasingly vital. Providers should also demonstrate readiness to manage distributed endpoints, including SCADA systems and industrial IoT devices, ensuring coverage of mission-critical infrastructure.
Comprehensive Visibility and Performance Monitorings:
End-to-end visibility across LAN, WAN, cloud, and edge is non-negotiable. Enterprises demand advanced telemetry and analytics through tools like Digital Experience Monitoring (DEM) and Application Performance Monitoring (APM), such as AppDynamics or Dynatrace. MNS providers must offer consolidated, context-aware dashboards that provide insight into user experience, network health, and application performance. Business-impact correlation is essential, enabling IT teams to address issues before they affect operations proactively. Real-time visibility also supports SLA compliance, governance, and executive reporting.
Security and Compliance as Foundational Pillars:
Cybersecurity remains a top concern for enterprise leaders. MNS providers must offer embedded security across network layers, including SD-WAN, SWG, CASB, NAC, and intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS). Beyond feature availability, enterprises assess the provider’s ability to deliver automated threat detection and response, backed by AI-driven analytics. Regional data sovereignty and regulatory compliance (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR, PCI DSS) are baseline requirements, especially in finance, healthcare, and manufacturing. Providers must demonstrate how their services align with these standards and deliver auditable evidence of ongoing compliance.
Cost Optimization and Commercial Flexibility:
Network service pricing is under continuous downward pressure, and enterprises expect MNS providers to align cost structures accordingly. Total cost of ownership (TCO), including lifecycle costs and service quality, is a key evaluation metric. While Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) offerings are gaining traction, providing OpEx-based pricing without hardware ownership, enterprises remain cautious due to OEM-related limitations. Providers that offer flexible commercial models, transparent pricing, and value-added services such as GenAI-based network assessments often gain a competitive advantage.
Evaluating MNS Providers: A Structured Approach
CxOs and IT leaders must adopt a structured, outcome-driven approach when evaluating MNS providers. Key dimensions include:
- Service Delivery Platform (SDP): Must support multitenancy, centralized management, and automation. The platform should integrate LAN, WAN, security, and cloud services, backed by GenAI and IBN capabilities.
- Global Reach and Scale: A proven ability to manage complex, multinational environments, including both brownfield and greenfield deployments, is critical.
- Transparency and Reporting: Enterprises demand granular reporting on SLAs, incident resolution, service requests, and efficiency of automation. Lack of specificity often increases MNS costs due to change orders and scope ambiguity.
- Security Capabilities: Providers must offer a comprehensive suite of embedded security services, including KPIs for threat detection, response time, and compliance tracking.
- Support for Innovation: MNS providers must demonstrate thought leadership and investment in emerging technologies such as private 5G, SD-LAN, and managed edge services.
- Vendor Neutrality: Carrier-agnostic and OEM-flexible providers are preferred for their ability to adapt to enterprise-specific needs without vendor lock-in.
Conclusion
Managed Network Services are now a strategic imperative for enterprises pursuing operational excellence in a digital-first economy. To realize the full value of MNS, enterprises must evaluate providers based on their ability to deliver integrated, AI-driven platforms that strike a balance between flexibility, security, performance, and cost. A rigorous, data-driven selection process—anchored in strategic alignment and measurable outcomes—ensures that MNS investments support long-term growth, innovation, and resilience. As the network becomes the foundation for business transformation, choosing the right MNS partner becomes not just an IT decision, but a business-critical one.
