Successful companies know that network management is crucial for the proper support and maintenance of network infrastructure. When it comes to managing a large-scale or highly complex network, you’ll need a powerful network management system that will meet your challenging business needs. After all, a powerful and comprehensive Network Monitoring System is the heart of any network management solution. So, you might be thinking, what makes a network management system effective, and what should you look out for? In this blog, we’ll look at the benefits of a quality Network Management System and how it can impact your business:

Benefits of a Network Management System:

It saves time

When dealing with a large network environment, the ability to control your entire business operation from a central computer can be a big time saver. A good Network Management System should allow C-Level executives to give their IT providers direct access to any data they need to do their job effectively. This negates the need to travel to different locations to see the status of a device, as they’ll have access to each device from a central computer. A Network Management System also allows staff members to enter or retrieve data using their own computers, while giving network managers access control.

It’s cost-effective

A good Network Management System makes it possible for executives to cut down on hiring expenditures. Only one system administrator is required at a centralized location to monitor and manage the entire network. This will result in more expendable cash that can be used for training, research and development, and additional inventory.

It increases productivity

A Network Management System can manage and monitor every piece of hardware, as well as software, within your network environment. All of the components are interconnected, so if one goes down, the whole system could be affected. A survey by CenturyLink proved that the most popular expected benefit of a Network Management System would be freeing up staff time. Network Management Systems detect and resolve problems before they become common knowledge, thus ensuring that there is minimal hindrance to productivity or loss of data. Staff members will have more time to focus on more important tasks.

It prevents business disruption

According to the survey by CenturyLink, minimizing downtime was the second most popular expected benefit of a Network Management System.  Downtime can significantly impact your organization, resulting in loss of revenue and productivity. A Network Management System proactively detects and resolves issues, so you can carry on with business as usual.

It documents performance

A good Network Management System will make it easier for staff members to achieve Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and document their performance with reports. Network performance monitoring provides you with real-time statistics and gives you visibility into every aspect of your network. Some Network Management Systems have the capability to pull performance metrics and KPIs, and present them as easy-to-read, customisable graphical representations.

It minimizes security risks

With the ever-increasing number of data breaches and hacking incidents, companies should take extra precautions when it comes to protecting their data.  A good Network Management System will include protection against viruses, hacking, and other internal or external threats. Other than that, organizations also have to be mindful of regulatory requirements. A secure network will help organizations maintain compliance.

IRIS Network Systems provides effective Network Management Software that offers all of the above and more. With 20 years’ experience in the Southern African IT and ISP markets, we understand the need for a balanced Network Management System that delivers all the features it should, without undermining the performance of your network. To find out more about IRIS’ products, including our Network Management Software and Network Security services, please visit us or download our free Network Manager’s Guide to a Stable and Highly Available Network.

 

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