Next generation applications such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) may place high demands on networks, it has been claimed.

Network support managers often request further information on the performance of a business network prior to deploying a VoIP application, according to IT performance management provider Apparent Networks.

A spokesperson for the firm explained that this often leads businesses to delay the implementation of applications such as VoIP.

He said: "New data centre applications rely on third-party networks and other resources that are beyond a network manager's control.

"This can pose problems with latency-sensitive applications like VoIP. And, as mentioned before, a small change in network performance can have a big impact on the usability of VoIP."

Research by Apparent Networks published last month indicated that more than a third of network managers (36 per cent) had delayed the deployments due to performance concerns.

Some 61 per cent admitted that concerns outside of their own network presented the biggest roadblocks to deployment.

A recent Connect survey found that the two major concerns about outsourcing services like IT support were loss of control (56 per cent) and budget over-runs (43 per cent).