Network Lifecycle Management Meets Xaas, Giving Service Providers New Opportunities
We live and work in a hyperconnected data-first world in which the network has become central to the organization’s vision, strategy and success. Whereas a decade ago, enterprise networks were a discrete, siloed asset, today they are an integral driver of virtually every business function. This is doubly true for service providers who have begun to leverage their network presence and remote operational capabilities to provide a variety of managed network services to their customers. Services such as SD-WAN and SASE enable customers to deploy new capabilities faster, satisfy the needs of a more diverse and decentralized workforce, and capitalize on emerging market opportunities—all while keeping network costs and personnel needs in check.
However, the accelerating rate of technological change that enables the network to play a more strategic business role also threatens to disrupt that very same ability. As application capabilities and user demands mushroom, the level of complexity and captive resources needed to proactively manage the network increases. For example, pressure on network teams to constantly improve speed and reliability performance and ensure SLA requirements often means having access to a full-service, 24/7 Network Operations Center. Proactively managing the fiber and cabling infrastructure, needed spares, and end-of-life schedule for every network component is both cost-intensive and labor intensive.
All of this has serious implications when it comes to supporting the future needs of the organization. Network managers are often so focused on putting out daily fires that there is little time (or budget) to prepare for what’s next. Therefore, the work of planning, designing and operationalizing new network services and capabilities—which should be key priorities—is often sacrificed in order to “just keep things running.”
For many service providers, effectively managing such a fast-growing and volatile environment is, ironically, unmanageable. At the same time, it is also entirely necessary for the organization to grow and thrive. Planning and management of the network is as critical as that for the business. A network lifecycle management (NLM) strategy is key for enabling business growth.
The Strategic Value of Network Lifecycle Management (NLM)
In its simplest form, an NLM strategy consists of three phases: plan, build and manage. The cycle is repeated as the plan phase identifies new requirements. The lifecycle process can also be applied to subtasks.
By breaking down the network’s management into its various stages and tasks—cradle to grave—network operators are able to take a more strategic approach to managing their ICT environments. This yields a number of important tactical benefits:
- Cost reductions across the board include more efficient purchasing, reduced maintenance costs, and better use of available network teams.
- Performance optimization. A network that is better managed and maintained is more cohesive, reliable, and purpose-built to support current and soon-to-be-deployed applications.
- Improved monitoring leads to more informed and accurate network planning, easier system optimization, reduced downtime, better resource planning, and more.
- More efficient and accurate network planning is essential for ensuring the network’s capabilities and technology roadmap are aligned to support the near-term business goals of the organization.
- Proactive versus reactive maintenance: The overall aim of NLM is to take a planful approach to network management. By aggressively monitoring the state of the network, its performance and environment, those responsible for maintaining it are better able to address potential issues before they occur.
These benefits, in turn, enable the network management team to use NLM as a strategic tool that supports the “when”, “where”, and “how” of the business’ growth and development. Aligning the NLM efforts with those of the C-Suite allows both IT and management to coordinate in support of:
The challenge of supporting a full-scale NLM program is in the resources and cost required to staff and maintain it. This puts proactive and effective network management beyond many, if not most, service providers and their enterprise customers. Breaking down this barrier requires a completely different business model.
NLM Delivered as a Managed Network Service
Fujitsu’s NLMaaS enables service providers and enterprise customers to deliver complete network lifecycle management—from planning to design/build to operation and maintenance—without the high cost and headcount. As a vendor-neutral, end-to-end solution, it optimizes the value and performance of on-prem, cloud and hybrid networks, including physical layer infrastructure and connected components. Fujitsu’s NLMaaS solution also includes 24/7/365 network monitoring via Fujitsu’s geographically redundant NOC.
Proposal
Fujitsu’s NLMaaS solution is unique for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that it begins prior to the go/no-go decision being made. We invest sweat equity, helping you define and build the case for an NLMaaS solution and creating a solid proposal/RFP. As a responsive single-source partner, we provide all the information you need quickly, drastically reducing the time needed to bid and get sign-off on your NLM project.
- Value-wedge creation
- Business case development
- Proposal/RFP development
- Technical presentation support
Plan
Once the proposal has been accepted, Fujitsu’s Managed Network Services engineering team works with you and your customer to determine the project scope and schedule. The aspects of the projects we address include but are not limited to:
- SDN/NFV consulting
- Edge computing consulting
- Network resiliency
- OSS strategy and evolution
- Operations assessments
- Cyber security assessments
Design/Build
During the design and build phase, Fujitsu leverages our expertise in multi-vendor solution architecture and master network integration to schedule, coordinate and manage all phases of the project and subtasks. Your Managed Services account lead provides regular reports on the project status and any factors that may affect budget, timeline, etc.
- Wireless Solutions
- Inside Plant Design & Engineering
- Outside Plant Design & Engineering (TrueNet)
- Fiber Testing Suite
- Secure Supply Chain
- Edge to Core Enclosures
- ISP Installation, Test & Turn-up
Operate/Maintain
Throughout the period of your NLMaaS service contract, the Fujitsu Managed Network Services team handles all aspects related to your network’s lifecycle management. Much of the work can be handled remotely, reducing your cost and schedule disruptions. For other issues and tasks, our teams will be on-site as needed to ensure peak network performance. Among the services we provide during the Operate and Maintain phase are:
- Software upgrades/patching
- Network provisioning
- End-of-life hardware management
- Spares replenishment and stocking
- E-waste recovery/disposal
- Asset recovery
- Network health check-ups
- Continuous performance monitoring
- Quality assurance/quality control
- Planning for future upgrades, scaling, etc.
Our Full Service Network Operations Center—
at Your Service
Fujitsu’s Managed Network solutions include SD-WAN, LTE, Wi-Fi, and Layer 2/3, all of which are supported through our world-class NOC. Under our NLMaaS program, you can white label our NOC, offering 24/7/365 network monitoring to your customers. Provide end-to-end peace of mind across the network—desktop to core—under your banner.
Get Up and Running in Weeks, Not Months
A key benefit of partnering with Fujitsu for Network Lifecycle Management is accelerated launch of services. A traditional multi-vendor NLM project can take months to implement, as each vendor requires separate negotiations, project planning and sign-off; once all discrete portions of the project have been approved, they must be integrated.
Fujitsu’s NLMaaS program is a single-vendor, end-to-end solution. All components have been thoroughly vetted and field-proven for interoperability in multiple existing projects. Working with a single, responsive provider with the authority to sign off on all decisions significantly reduces your time to market and accelerates your ROI.
Drive Strategic Business Growth with Fujitsu NLMaaS
Partnering with Fujitsu means aligning with a global technology leader with a rich heritage of innovation and expertise in solutions that transform business. For over 20 years, Fujitsu has delivered Managed Network Services like NLMaaS to leading communications service providers. Our years of network expertise position us to provide multivendor solutions that are both technology- and platform-agnostic.
We’re looking for like-minded partners who share our vision of delivering solutions that accelerate digital transformation.
Join us, and grow your business flexibly, efficiently, and seamlessly.
