Network management helps you keep your IT infrastructure organized with minimal errors and downtime. It’s also crucial for businesses that work with sensitive information that’s protected by law.
There are many different types of network management systems to accommodate the unique needs of every business. But how do you choose the right one?
In this article, we’ll talk about the 7 key steps to choosing the right network management system, along with deciding between an on-premises or cloud-based system (or a combination of both).
Why Network Management?
First of all, it’s important to determine why you need network management. A network management system is a must for any business working with personal data but also one that’s a target of security breaches, like e-commerce sites. In addition, it:
- Saves time: You don’t have to manage a network manually – the whole point is to automate or outsource this process so it runs in the background. You can take care of your business while updates are being done automatically.
- Is Cost-effective: Because it ensures protection and privacy, a good network monitoring system will reduce your operational costs. The fewer network problems you have to solve, the less you have to pay for fixes and upgrades.
- It increases productivity: With network management, there’s little downtime. Imagine if your network stopped working every time it encountered an error. With a good system in place, your network will run continuously, even during patches, upgrades, and backups.
Finally, network management is vital in a time when cybersecurity attacks are rampant. A 2023 Auvik network management report showed that the lack of knowledge of what goes on behind the scenes of network monitoring led to an increase in cyber threats. Transparency is important, and so is the tightening of security measures by implementing a robust network system.
7 Features to Help You Choose a Network Management System
When choosing a network management system, you have to make sure it ticks all the boxes for your business:
- Consistency
System consistency is very important because it means all your system operations are in sync. Any changes you make to the system will apply across the network, so any devices, applications, and services will be up to date at any time. In addition, maintaining consistency means it’ll be easier to identify where an issue is coming from since all parts of the network will be operating on the same configuration.
- Centralized Dashboard
A centralized dashboard is vital for network management because it puts all your critical elements in one place, such as signal coverage and device connections and locations. You’ll get a unified view of all your network operations and be able to access all data in one place. Scalability is a big part of having a centralized dashboard since it’ll be easier to make network changes and expansions.
- Compliance and Reporting
When working in a highly regulated industry, it’s important to have robust compliance and reporting capabilities in place. Your network management system should be able to provide data processing logs that show you every action that takes place in the system. This will help you abide by GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI DSS regulations and hold up your legal responsibilities. This is especially important in the case where you have to protect user data from breaches or editing.
- Compatibility
Having a network management system that can incorporate different device types is crucial for effectiveness. If you ever need to add a new device to the network, it’ll be easier to do it if you have a system that can handle the integration. This also means you’ll be saving money as you won’t have to upgrade individual devices to make sure they operate on the same level.
- Automation
Automation in network management means you won’t have to manually do updates, integrate new solutions, and do backups. Your data will be sorted and backed up automatically, as will any software updates that need to be done. Not to mention that you’ll avoid human errors, which tend to cause the most problems. Finally, automation will minimize the long-term costs you’d otherwise have to spend on additional manpower and tools.
- Network Assurance
This is essentially how reliable your network is and how consistent it is with operational standards. With good network assurance, you’ll easily identify network issues and resolve them, keeping the standard operational pace with minimal downtime. This also means your network resources will be distributed evenly and used wisely to prevent extra costs.
- Implementation of Best Practices
The IT sector constantly introduces new network management solutions, especially now, with AI being widely used. If you want to have a good management system, being able to incorporate the latest best practices is vital. That includes regular software updates, network segmentation and standardization, backups, auditing, etc.
On-Premises vs. Cloud-Based Network Monitoring
Larger organizations usually have a mix of cloud-based and physical network storage. But if you mainly conduct your business online, you might want to use only the cloud. That ultimately depends on the business you’re running.
Let’s take a look at the main differences between on-premises and cloud-based network management systems:
- On-premises network management: Mainly for large networks that require advanced features and solutions. These businesses have heaps of data to store, monitor, and safekeep, which is typically regulated like law and healthcare. The good thing is that this data can be accessed remotely as well; it’s just that the cybersecurity is enhanced because there’s less data in network transit, which means less exposure to outside threats.
- Cloud network management: The cloud can be accessed from anywhere at any time, which is the biggest advantage of this network management option. There’s also zero-touch provisioning, which means the process will be as automated as possible. It’s also more cost-effective since you’re not taking up physical storage.
If you’re still wondering which option’s better for you, consider the industry you’re in, your budget constraints, and your security needs. Keep in mind that some businesses benefit most from a combination of both.
Choose Frontline for Your Network Monitoring Needs
Do you need help setting up your network management system? Frontline offers a comprehensive network management service in Los Angeles that includes:
- Network design and implementation
- Network monitoring and maintenance
- Network troubleshooting
- Network security.
In addition, you’ll get 24/7 IT support with an average response time of only 18 minutes! Feel free to issue a ticket whenever you encounter a problem with your network, and our IT team will be on top of it ASAP.
Schedule a free consultation about your network needs, and we’ll help you set up the best system for your business, along with a personalized payment plan.
FAQs
What is an example of network management?
A managed cloud is one example of network management. In this case, an external IT team oversees your network management, including monitoring, issue resolution, updating, backing up, etc.
Why do you need a network management system?
A network management system, often provided through managed IT services, protects you from external attacks, keeps your data private, and lowers your IT costs. With stellar system management, you can identify issues ahead of time and resolve them without disrupting your business operations.
How do I create a network management system?
You can start by making a list of the features you need in a network monitoring system. For example, if you’re in e-commerce, you’d need traffic analysis and financial data protection. Then, analyze which parts your existing system lacks and find the tools to fill those gaps. Finally, make sure to monitor your system regularly and update it as needed.