This IDC Insight tracks notable managed and hosting services contracts in the telecom and media service provider market. In particular, this document highlights the most notable contracts during 2008 and analyzes the implications of those publicly announced contracts for service providers and vendors.

The managed services business is a rapidly growing segment for vendors as service providers continue to transform legacy infrastructure and business models to better compete in an IP world. In addition to direct revenue results, contract momentum is also an important indicator of the ability of vendors to evolve their customer value proposition from a technology-centric point-product provider to a customer-centric business solutions partner.