You depend on your network to function so your organization can function, as well. How can you keep your network healthy so it empowers your business processes?
The answer is a network management system (NMS). Learn more about this IT solution and how to select the best system for your network needs.
What Is Network Management?
Network management covers the processes and tools used to keep a network infrastructure healthy. This includes administering, provisioning, and controlling IT systems.
Rather than assuming all will function well without any monitoring or intervention, network management takes a more proactive approach to your network health. Organizations can use network management tools to understand how their network is being used, to quickly identify problems, and to correct these issues.
Tips for Choosing a Network Management Solution
If you’re choosing a network management solution for your organization, you may feel overwhelmed by the options available. Use these five tips to help you narrow down your options and choose the best fit for you.
1. Understand your requirements.
Start by evaluating your organization’s unique needs so you can look for a solution that caters to those needs. Some network management functions and features to consider include:
- Network inventory
- Network configuration
- Customizable and preset dashboards
- Autodiscovery
- Automatic troubleshooting
- Notification of network events
- Graphical user interface (GUI)
- Network topology maps with hierarchical layers
- Ticketing system
- Live and historical reports
2. Know your options.
The global network management systems market is worth $6.7 billion and is expected to increase dramatically over the coming years. That rapidly expanding market means there are a lot of options to choose from.
Do some research so you understand the various solutions out there rather than just going with the first or seemingly most obvious choice. It’s especially helpful to understand what features come standard with most NMS solutions and which features are less common so you can directly compare options.
3. Learn the lingo.
You may encounter some unfamiliar language when learning about network management systems, so take some time to look up definitions as needed and build your vocabulary surrounding NMS.
For example, did you know “network management” is a broader term than “network monitoring”? A network monitoring system focuses only on performance monitoring and won’t offer as much functionality as a network management system.
4. Prioritize ease of use.
The point of a quality NMS is to automate and streamline IT tasks involved in detecting and resolving network issues. If your NMS is complicated and not intuitive to use, that partially defeats the purpose.
Look for an NMS that is user-friendly. Software demos can help you get a feel for a system, and having support from a dealer or reseller can make for a smoother implementation process.
5. Consider scalability.
Whenever you’re putting technology solutions in place, it’s smart to consider your organization’s future needs in addition to your current needs.
Will an NMS you’re considering be able to scale with you to accommodate a growing network? Make sure you know the answer to this question if you’re planning to scale in the future.
Deployment: On-Premises or in the Cloud
You’ll find two types of deployment options for network management software: on-premises and cloud-based. Both options offer advantages:
- On-premises NMS: An on-premises NMS is installed on a local server at your organization’s facility. Some organizations choose on-premises systems because they offer greater control and reliable performance.
- Cloud-based NMS: Other systems operate from a remote server. These cloud-based NMS solutions can offer lower cost and simpler deployment, along with easier scalability and remote access.
An IT partner can help you understand which deployment model makes the most sense for your situation.
Purchasing Software on Your Own vs. Partnering with a VAR
Shopping for your own software and purchasing directly from a software dealer may seem like the simplest option, but with this approach, you miss out on the guidance and end-to-end management you get from a value added reseller (VAR).
A VAR can help you choose the right software solution and can even, in the case of a managed services provider, manage your IT needs and provide ongoing support.
Let CPI Manage Your IT and Find the Best NMS Solution for You
Internally managing all the elements of your software, hardware, and network can take your time and attention away from your core business processes. With a managed service provider, you get to hand off your IT burden and focus on what matters most for your business.
CPI is a partner you can trust for network management services and end-to-end management of your IT needs. We can help you implement a new NMS and provide timely support to assist with this and other IT functions. Request a quote or consultation to get started.
