Developing network management software applications and standardized interfaces can be a very time-consuming business for a telecoms network operator or equipment supplier. Adapting these systems to accomodate new networking technologies and evolving service models can prove even more costly. The conflicting pressures of expanding functionality, shuffling priorities and shortening timescales can make in-house software development a hazardous peripheral activity for a company venturing outside its core business of running/providing a telecoms network and stepping into the complex world of standardized telecoms network management software design.

The TMN architecture establishes a clear path for network operators to integrate both legacy and future network and service management systems into a flexible, solid, standardized framework of highly integrated applications, harmonizing management across the enterprise network and enabling standardized interoperation with partner network operators. TMN allows for the leverage of existing network management investments, while at the same time providing a highly flexible architecture capable of embracing the inevitable developments of the future.

Many telecoms operators have recognized the benefits of TMN and adopted it as the basis of their network and service management strategy. Some have initiated in-house software development projects reflecting this, but the inherent complexity of the standards and protocols involved requires a focused team of highly skilled and appropriately experienced engineers, and these can be hard to find. Implementing TMN architectures, frameworks and applications can be an expensive technical minefield, and numerous in-house developments have faltered largely because of the lack of such expertise.