CSPs are eager to embrace a more automated environment with detailed network visibility. The ultimate long-term network management goal is a fully autonomous network: self-sensing, self-adjusting and self-optimizing, with a fully closed loop capability. CSPs can begin the journey today and immediately take advantage of many new auto-assist capabilities and positively move the needle on revenue acceleration and operational performance. In this paper, Omdia explains why converged IP and optical domain control are a key operational goal for many CSPs by highlighting a real case scenario from Windstream that has successfully increased efficiency in day-to-day operations.