BOOSTERS
In FY '06-07, large organizations with huge and widespread networks focused on Quality of Service (QoS) to ensure enough lanes for high-priority traffic. They also had to design strict Internet usage policies. Increased demand from the international customers on regulatory compliance requirements drove policy designs related to information security.

Adoption of core banking solutions, even by smaller co-operative banks, fuelled the requirement for networks, and therefore, network management solution. In the co-operative bank segment, however, network management is currently limited to router and switch AMC, BSNL/MTNL liaison and some level of network security management.

Established network management products from HP, CA and IBM found many takers. Offbeat solutions such as Open NMS didn't become as popular, mainly because of lack of easily available support. Though there were some big ticket complete IT Infrastructure outsourcing deals this year as well, in general, the industry continued to look for 'Selective Sourcing' of services.

Significant activity was seen in organizations' movement from traditional telephony to IP based telephony. Therefore, there was a requirement for use of network management solutions to establish voice quality.

Global demand for services increased, resulting in ITIL adoption. Moreover, computers, processors, storage, networks and databases are becoming virtualized. Network speeds are increasing. New standards, such as IPv6, will help enable all forms of data and voice. Distinctions between transports for storage, data and voice devices will disappear. SOA is emerging for more rational compartmentalization, standard interfaces, centralized repositories and standard means for integration. New models are emerging, including hosted network and security offerings for applications, increased outsourcing of IT processes and services and more applications outside of corporate networks. All these developments acted as boosters for the NMS market today.

The global market too continued to look towards outsourcing commoditized 'Incident Management' services to low-cost markets. There was an increase in demand for remote Network Operation Center and security operation center in terms of 'incident management. Integrated services also picked up globally.

THE WINNERS
HCL Comnet topped the NMS segment with revenues of Rs. 220 crore. Wipro Infotech was second, with revenues of Rs. 186 crore and a growth of 40.9%. However, gtl clocked the highest growth in the industry at 80.3% and revenues of Rs.110 crore.

Wipro Infotech bagged two largest deals In BFSI vertical for NMS perspective. One of them probably being the largest deal picked up in last 3 year in Enterprise Management system space in India. It also provided Enterprise Management Solution to Dena bank which s in final stages of deployment.

In FY '06-07 GTL re-established a brand new and reengineered NOC that achieved BS15000 certification, ensuring higher value to customers.

Datacraft entered a global service alliance with Cisco for managed network services and bagged large deals in managed services, including MNC banks, and ITeS companies like CTS and Genpact, and leading service providers.

It also deployed the first Cisco WAAS solution, one of the largest in India, for a back office contact center, which was a joint venture between a major US financial giant and a leading Indian ITeS company.

It also entered into a managed network management services contract with India's leading service provider. It won a managed service contract for an additional 1,000 branches of State Bank of India (SBI).