Your network is a vital component of your daily business operations. Every moment without your network results in lost productivity and potentially missed sales opportunities. Put in its simplest terms, your network sustains your business. It needs to be kept safe and managed appropriately.
What Does Network Management and Maintenance Look Like?
Your network consists of the collection of devices that are connected to shared resources. The devices and connections need to be managed to ensure proper configuration and to implement adequate security measures. Additionally, these components need to be monitored and maintained to keep them performing at their optimal levels and to identify performance issues.
Networks are complex, and if they fail there can be serious consequences. Here are some of the common network issues businesses experience:
- Incorrect or poor cable connections
- Damaged cables
- DNS or ISP failure
- Lack of space for data transfer
- Incompatibility or missing system requirements
- Viruses
- Outdated firmware
The larger your network, the more resources you will need to allocate to keep your network properly managed. A Managed IT Services provider can handle the responsibilities of network maintenance and management for you.
What Benefits do Managed IT Services Providers Offer?
#1 – You Get Access to a Team of Experts
Network management is typically only one component of an internal IT department’s responsibilities – which means there is only so much time and attention they can allocate for it. A Managed IT Services provider can support your internal team as they continue to support your network, or free them from the responsibility of network management. When Managed IT Services experts join your team, network management becomes their priority – they are tasked with staying up-to-date on industry improvements, changes, best practices and more, in addition to keeping your network optimized and secure.
#2 – You Have Experience on Your Side
If you partner with the right Managed IT Services provider, you will benefit from the experience and knowledge they’ve gained from offering network management services to many other customers. They’ve learned from others and will continually work to perfect their services and adjust as your industry, and the technology that supports it evolves.
Managed IT Services providers use state-of-the-art software tools and recommend the most efficient recovery plans for your business. And, when something better or more efficient enters the market for network management, your provider will be the first to know and discuss these opportunities with you.
#3 – Routine Monitoring
When you partner with a Managed IT Services provider, network monitoring is handled for you. If any network issues occur, your Managed IT Services provider will be alerted and begin fixing the issue.
#4 – Optimized Operations for Better Connectivity & Productivity
Managed IT Services providers can help you configure your network for the most optimized operations, making it as easy as possible for your employees to work. Your provider can recommend the best monitoring and anti-virus software, fastest connections, appropriate backup and storage options and more, tailored for your business.
Proper network management can help your business save money through increased productivity and decreased downtime. A Managed IT Services provider is equipped with the tools and knowledge to implement a successful network management plan that will keep your information secure and allow for uninterrupted daily operations. Take the first step toward a secured network and operational efficiency by talking to a Marco technology advisor.