Why network management is essential for businesses

A business’s network refers to two or more computers that are linked in order to share resources (such as printers and CDs), exchange files, or allow electronic communications. The computers on a network may be linked through cables, telephone lines, radio waves, satellites, or infrared light beams. Most IT departments have a network administrator responsible for overseeing these networks, and ensuring business operations run smoothly.

In the modern world, almost all companies rely on a network to collaborate with employees and communicate with customers. This article will explain the inner workings of IT network management, why their crucial for businesses, as well as provide guidance on how to improve your company’s networks.

What is network management?

Network management is the process of provisioning technological resources — such as hardware, storage, memory, bandwidth, and processing power — so that a company’s network runs as efficiently and securely as possible. It also involves configuration management , or maintaining systems such as hardware and software so they remain compatible with one another. Network management is an important part of any company’s IT department, and it’s crucial that employees are knowledgeable and skilled in this area.

Such an important job involves many different tasks, and network administrators often use network management software to more effectively perform their jobs. By making tracking activity across large networks easier, businesses can scale more effectively. Network management systems can automate business activities as well, saving companies time and money.

Information technology (IT) departments are most often the ones responsible for networking management. These departments are an essential part of any organization that utilizes technology. The common structure of an IT department involves many different roles, such as security, management, and IT support professionals. IT departments are a key piece of modern businesses. This is also relevant for MSPs, or managed service providers.

What is the purpose of network management?

Network management is the process of ensuring that all technology used by a company runs securely and efficiently. It involves monitoring, managing, and troubleshooting network components and systems.. Network administrators are also responsible for identifying ways to improve the current system, ensuring all resources are allocated so their usage can be maximized. Network management is an essential part of any company’s technology infrastructure, and it’s crucial that it’s done well to ensure a secure and efficient operation.

IT service providers commonly use remote monitoring and management software (RMM) that is able to alert IT staff of potential crises before they occur. These RMM solutions allow network administrators to work proactively rather than reactively, preventing system failures.

The significance of network management

Reduces expensive network interruptions

Most modern companies rely on digital interactions, and network interruptions can mean a loss of revenue. Often with the help of network management software, network administrators are able to fix issues in the system before they occur. Within any network, errors are bound to happen — but without taking preventative measures in maintaining your network, even the smallest problem can lead to total system failure.

Enhanced efficiency

Constant network monitoring and data collection allow IT professionals to identify points of weakness in the system and correct them. This ensures that companies are optimizing their resources and protecting their data from potential cyber-attacks.

Enhanced network protection

Networks require constant updates to protect against possible security threats, and network management is necessary to safeguard your digital security. Network security is a complex topic, and there are many different types of threats out there. But, the general idea is that you need to protect your network against unauthorized access, and you need to monitor it to make sure it’s running smoothly.

Analyzing network performance

Business networks can be large and complex, with hundreds or thousands of employees and numerous devices connected together. Coupled with network management tools such as specialized software, IT professionals are able to collect a wealth of data pertinent to business functions. A comprehensive view of its network is critical to maintaining and improving company productivity.

How does network management work?

Network management is the process of monitoring, maintaining, and improving the performance and security of a network. It involves a variety of different components, including network hardware, software, network topology, and monitoring tools. Network management is a complex and constantly evolving field. It’s important for network administrators to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and techniques. This way, they can maximize network performance and security.

These are some of those components:

Network operations

This includes monitoring the performance of networks and user accounts. This is often through a centralized operations center, which serves as the first line of defense against network disruptions.

Network administration

Network administration is ‌the planning of policies meant to ensure the efficiency of a network. Often, administrators oversee the day-to-day IT management of routers, switches, and other devices to ensure proper configuration. Our network discovery detects all new devices and routinely verifies their functionality.

Network provisioning

Networks must be provided with resources like bandwidth and channels of transport to allow for access between users. If resources are not distributed well, it could mean poor network performance and a loss of money for the company. It is the job of a management network to properly provision these resources.

Network maintenance

This involves replacing faulty equipment, upgrading software, and regularly backing up materials. This is necessary to prevent network disruption.

Network security

In order to enhance network security, tasks such as creating specific firewalls or undertaking measures to authenticate users are required. It requires a deep knowledge of the network system as well as potential flaws that could be exploited by malicious actors.

Network automation

Network automation is the process of automating many of the tasks above, such as network administration, operation, and maintenance. Atera offers numerous solutions to help IT departments and organizations perform this automation.

Network management vs. network automation

Network management refers to the processes behind controlling a computer network. It focuses on the security and effectiveness of a business network. A management network requires the help of IT staff to manually service a network, performing tasks that a machine could not do.

Network automation is a word for the technology and software available to make a network administrator’s job easier and automate a lot of the menial tasks they’d otherwise be required to do manually. These systems are put in place to collect data and perform repetitive tasks usually done by a network administrator.

Network monitoring vs. network management

Network monitoring is a form of network management. It involves collecting data on all the software and hardware operating within your system. Network monitoring is a challenging job with many responsibilities, but can be easily automated with remote monitoring and management software.

This technology is especially innovative, as IT professionals can track and fix issues remotely. Instead of physically visiting sites, IT technicians are able to do all their tasks virtually.

Network management is a broader term under which network monitoring falls. It refers to a range of aforementioned duties meant to constantly maintain and improve a computer network.

What are the challenges of network management?

What’s the point of a network if it’s inaccessible? Networks should be easy to navigate for both IT professionals and clients. To guarantee accessibility, IT staff must constantly monitor the network and should be aware of weak points that could potentially cause problems.

Modern networks are complex ecosystems. With so many devices, platforms, and protocols, problems are bound to arise. Network administrators must always be reevaluating their systems to ensure they are running as smoothly as possible. Without the aid of some form of network automation, this can be a daunting responsibility.

In order to grow, companies need their networks to be scalable. Their networks must be set up for growth, yet new services and devices may not be compatible with the previous system. Networks often require constant reinvention to remain on the cutting edge.

Why you should trial Atera’s network management

This article covered only some of the challenges faced in network management. Poor network management can also have severe consequences for your company. Therefore, it should be the primary goal of any organization to invest in network management software to simplify the job.

At Atera, our clients can work smarter, not harder, by adding our automated solutions to their network management. Our features offer all-in-one solutions to all of your network management needs, guaranteeing compatibility across our products. As a result, our systems are extremely scalable, and with Atera, your company’s growth is unrestricted.