To address this issue, a couple of service providers have introduced premium dial access services, but it's an emerging field. And, of course, the price must be right. And when Hitachi Metals was looking for a provider, some seemed to think the company would be a cash cow. We'd ask about Internet connectivity and they'd have another price list. Milano's experience is not unique.
Industry analysts say providers see managed services as a huge money-making proposition.
Another thing that should be considered is how to divide responsibility between the provider and the company. Some providers are very flexible and let a manager retain control over only those duties they care. For instance, one company might keep tight control over both access control lists and the distribution of encryption keys but leave the management of WAN access devices to the provider. Another company might want the provider to manage the WAN access gear and the encryption keys. Despite some of these drawbacks, managers should be able to wave goodbye to many of those modems and say hello to some good outsourcing options.