Enterprise nervous system (ENS) is Gartner’s term for the intelligent network that provides unifying connectivity among people, application systems and devices in different locations and business units across a virtual enterprise. The emerging ENS is based on the traditional enterprise network, but it is an evolution of that network, providing value-added functions that elevate the role of the network well beyond that of plain communication. Whereas a conventional network simply aims to transfer data between sending application systems and explicitly defined destinations, an ENS offloads work from the application systems because it:

Offers enhanced quality-of-service for communication

Transforms messages

Redirects messages as appropriate, using logical business rules

May track and control business processes