This IDC study compiles findings on the use of managed services, which are provided along with communication services, and future trends based mainly on Web surveys with 602 companies with more than 100 employees.

Toshihiro Mishima, IDC Japan's Communication Group research manager says, "Many companies in Japan are using a wide variety of managed services that are provided together with network services. This is because companies are realizing their limit in operating and managing increasingly sophisticated and complicated networks in terms of cost and technical ability, and therefore assigning professional service providers to handle such networks."

He says that service providers should differentiate themselves from other providers and try to expand the market by understanding the latest needs of companies accurately, and by striving to develop and provide optimum services and applications.