Technologically progressive companies tend to approach IT outsourcing strategically, and are subsequently more able to make crucial decisions about what can be kept in-house and needs to be sourced, according to new research.

A study by analyst Freeform Dynamics revealed that enterprises need to harmonise various new and established approaches to IT outsourcing if they are to successfully increase their decision making efficiency in this way.

The research company stated: “In this study we found a clear correlation between IT organisations that deliver services at a more strategic level to the business and how businesses perceive their IT organisations.

“More importantly perhaps, there was also a correlation with stock market performance. It is a positive sign and adds considerable weight to the argument that IT can operate as more than just a cost centre.”

Meanwhile, a recent report from analyst Ovum revealed that the market for a number of managed IP services, including managed metro Ethernet, managed IP virtual private networks, managed IP voice and managed security, will grow annually by 18 per cent through to 2012.

The analyst predicted that the market for these outsourced services will be worth $66 billion (33.6 billion) in 2012, with demand for managed services strongest in Europe and North America.