It’s not an overstatement to say that the network is the bloodline for most companies’ operations. It allows seamless communication, collaboration, and access to essential resources. Picture the number of complaints you’ll receive if the network is down for a few hours.
An unmonitored and unsecure network can be easily attacked and lead to a breach of sensitive data. Therefore, having a team of highly skilled engineers to look after your company’s network is of paramount important.
Nevertheless, many companies find it challenging to bear the expense of hiring skilled engineers and procuring the required tools. Fortunately, this is the reason why managed network service providers exist. If you’re unsure what is a managed network service provider, in this article, we go into detail about everything you need to know and how they can help your business grow:
What is a Managed Network Service Provider?
So, what is a managed network service provider? A managed network service provider (MNSP) is a third-party company that helps businesses manage and maintain their network infrastructure remotely. MNSPs offer support for day-to-day network operations to ensure the business network is stable and secure.
What does a Managed Network Service Provider do?
Now that you’re familiar with what is a managed network service provider, you might wonder what they do as well. Though managed network service providers provide various services, here are the common core services offered:
1. Network Design and Implementation
Managed Network Service Providers specialize in creating an ideal network setup for companies, whether it’s a single location or multiple sites nationwide. MNSP will take care of everything from configuration to cabling works and installation of hardware. The goal is to maintain a strong and uninterrupted connection with the least amount of delay possible, providing our customer peace of mind.
2. Network maintenance
Another main service offered by managed network service providers is network maintenance. They typically ensure the network goes through consistent checks for hardware and system updates by maintaining a proper schedule. When regular checks are performed to ensure all systems are up-to-date and hardware is functioning as it should, it helps to prevent network downtime.
3. Network monitoring and support
Network monitoring and support is another core service most managed network service providers offer. They will have dedicated team members to consistently monitor the network 24/7 on a daily basis to identify any potential issues. These team members are trained to tackle any issues and resolve them quickly to prevent any network downtime that might affect the business operations.
4. Network security and protection
Networks are prone to encounter security breaches and various other cyber attacks. To prevent the network from being compromised, managed network service providers will implement appropriate security measures to protect the network against various security threats or attacks. They will also constantly monitor for any potential security breaches or attacks and take prompt action to protect the network.
5. Network management
Managed network service providers also provide network management on a day-to-day basis such as configuring and optimizing the network to ensure optimal performance as well as handling the physical hardware of the network (ie. cabling, switches, routers, etc). Basically, managed network service providers will handle all aspects of the network infrastructure from A to Z.
Reasons to outsource network management to Managed Network Service Providers
Engaging with a managed network service provider offers numerous benefits for any business. Here are some of the reasons why managed network service providers are worth your investment to grow your business:
1. Enhanced security protection
One of the reasons why managed network service providers could help your business is that they are able to protect your network against any security threats or attacks. These days, networks are at high risk of potential cybersecurity issues without proper security measures in place. Managed network service providers have the right software, tools, and techniques to protect your network, ensuring your network is secure and safe while complying with the regulatory compliance requirements.
2. Improve business scalability
The growth of a business can fluctuate at any time. This means that the network needs to be able to accommodate accordingly when the business grows or downsizes. When you outsource your network management to managed network service providers, instead of having to make changes to your internal team, they are able to make the necessary changes without any extra hassle on your end as they can easily adjust to your network needs and requirements.
3. Maintain network uptime and reliability
When businesses encounter network downtime, it could cause several losses to the company such as revenue as well as overall productivity and customer satisfaction. Thankfully, with managed network service providers, businesses don’t have to worry about potential network downtime as they are professionals in ensuring your network and critical infrastructure connecting to it are always at high levels of reliability and uptime, through consistent maintenance as well as monitoring.
4. Save overall costs in the long run
If a business manages an in-house network team, it could be expensive in the long run and have high costs due to managing the employees as well as network hardware equipment. Not only that, but businesses also have to factor in the costs of various security tools and software. When a business outsources its network management to managed network service providers, it only needs to invest in the provider’s monthly fee which reduces the overall costs.
5. Able to focus on core business activities
Businesses should be able to focus on the more important core activities instead of having to worry about network issues, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises that don’t have sufficient resources. When businesses outsource their network management to managed network service providers, they are able to take over and manage the entire network infrastructure so that the businesses can spend their time on other aspects.
6. Limitation of network geographical reach or network partners
Most in-house network management teams will not have the necessary resources to expand their reach to other locations. This also includes having close relationships with other network partners such as network software vendors or network carriers. With managed network service providers, they have sufficient resources to handle networks across multiple locations as well as maintain a tight-knit bond with several network partners in various locations.
7. Unable to handle network issues with a multi-vendor setup
A complete network infrastructure involves various devices, networks and ISPs. When a network issue occurs, it may be difficult for an in-house network management team to resolve the issue as it could take up too much time. Managed network service providers will have sufficient knowledge to handle these issues. Companies only need to deal with one point of contact – which is the managed network service provider to solve the issues.
Future Trends in MNSP
Like all things digital, managed network services are no exception when it comes to constantly evolving and changing due to advanced technology. With that being said, we can expect several uprising trends for managed network services. Hence, it’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest trends so that businesses can prepare themselves for these changes:
1. Usage of 5G and Edge Computing
5G and edge computing are slowly becoming one of the top trends in industries and are impacting managed network services. The overall usage of 5G and edge computing helps to create new business models for managed network services such as forming augmented reality and aid in real-time analytics.
2. AI and Automation
AI and automation are growing more common in industries. From manufacturing to healthcare, businesses utilize these technologies to optimize processes and improve productivity. As AI and automation improve, the demand for a stable connection will rise. Complex algorithms, machine learning models, and data-intensive tasks require fast and uninterrupted connectivity to deliver optimal results. A slow or unreliable connection can hamper productivity and the potential benefits of these technologies.
3. Focus on Sustainability
In this era where sustainability is important to protect our earth, managed network services are also jumping onto the bandwagon by focusing on reducing the overall environmental impact while running network operations. Some of the best practices include using energy-efficient technology and optimizing the use of network designs to reduce the overall usage of resources.
4. Prioritizing Cybersecurity
With hackers being more assertive thanks to the advanced tools and technologies, the network of companies is prone to cyber threats and attacks. Therefore, managed network service providers may put an emphasize on tighting their security measures.
How to choose the right Managed Network Service Provider for your business
If you’re keen on hiring a managed network service provider but unsure what are the factors to look out for, here are some helpful tips when choosing one for your business:
1. Explore the available services provided
Managed network service providers offer a wide range of services for businesses. It’s best to identify your business needs and goals in order to know what kind of service you’re looking for. Once you’ve narrowed down the business needs and goals, you can explore the managed network service providers who are able to match your requirements.
2. Find out the years of experience and expertise
Another key factor to consider would be to know the total years of experience and type of expertise of the managed network service provider. To ensure the network of a business maintains high levels of uptime and reliability, an ample amount of experience and a good track record are needed to manage a network infrastructure effectively. If they have plenty of experience, you can definitely trust them to manage and handle your network.
3. Schedule for maintenance and updates
When you choose a managed network service provider, it’s important to know their maintenance schedule and whether they provide regular updates. Do request and ask for their schedule and best practices to ensure your network infrastructure is constantly up-to-date and has the appropriate maintenance performed.
4. Consider the compliance and security protocols
A good managed network service provider will be able to adhere to the industry’s network security protocols as well as comply with the appropriate rules and regulations such as HIPAA or GDPR. Be sure to check whether the managed network service provider is aware of the latest security protocols, tools, and regulations to maintain the network infrastructure effectively.
Conclusion
It’s important to partner with the right managed network service provider as they can help boost your business network performance and reliability. If you’re looking for a professionally managed network service provider, consider engaging with Qloud! We offer comprehensive network management solutions to help your business grow. Our team consisting of well-experienced experts is armed with the skills and knowledge to ensure your network is protected and secured while maintaining high levels of uptime 24/7. Contact us today and let us be your trusted network partner!
