Network reliability has never been more important. Organizations across all industry sectors are increasingly dependent on their networks to extend connectivity to highly distributed remote workers, cloud services, edge devices and IoT infrastructure. Meeting those demands often requires upgrading legacy hardware-centric networks to more cloud- and software-driven environments to accommodate growing volumes of users, devices and traffic.
The benefits of network modernization are substantial. Organizations that move to more open, scalable and automated networks see a 90 percent reduction in the number of incidents requiring manual intervention, according to research from NTT. They also see a 50 percent improvement in time to identify and remediate issues.
Such modernization efforts can overwhelm resource-strapped IT teams, however. As a result, more organizations are offloading the burden with fully managed network arrangements. Managed network services allow organizations to source not only network monitoring and troubleshooting, but also the necessary hardware, software and technical support services.
Rapid Growth Expected
Fully outsourced networks allow organizations to reduce capital expenditures on infrastructure, employ more advanced technologies, increase productivity and strengthen security. Industry analysts say such benefits are driving explosive growth. A new report from Future Market Insights projects the market for managed network services will more than double over the next 10 years, from $61.9 billion in 2022 to $130.9 billion by 2032.
Managed network services may include managed LAN, managed WAN, managed Wi-Fi and other automated network support services. Providers can also supply servers, routers, switches and other hardware resources, along with operating systems and security software. Everything is monitored and fully maintained by the provider.
Demand for fully managed SD-WAN solutions is a key factor in the growth of managed network services. Managed SD-WAN is a turnkey solution in which all necessary software and hardware are provided, with the provider’s team assisting with design, configuration and deployment as well as ongoing monitoring and management. Additionally, the provider maintains multiple transport services, relieving customers of the need to manage multiple connectivity options from different providers.
More Benefits
Other benefits of a fully managed network include:
- Improved resilience. When networks go down, business comes to a standstill. According to one recent survey, 76 percent of companies globally experienced at least one network outage in the past year. Managed network providers have redundant hardware, cabling and connectivity options to ensure high levels of network uptime.
- Enhanced security. Managed network providers improve security through the use of next-generation firewalls, end-to-end encryption, content filtering and other advanced security features. Top providers use security orchestration, automation and response (SOAR) platforms to automate workflows and orchestrate multiple security technologies using API connectors.
- Faster innovation. Outdated and poorly managed network infrastructure is often a roadblock to implementing advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and advanced analytics. Managed network services allow organizations with limited IT resources to leverage business-enabling solutions with less risk.
- Increased automation. Providers can write scripts and create repeatable instructions to automate a broad range of network management tasks such as configuring and provisioning network devices, restoring or restarting devices, managing network permissions, and balancing application loads. This enables them to eliminate error-prone manual processes, support more complex and innovative services and respond dynamically to changing demands.
It’s impossible to overstate the importance of a reliable network, but many organizations struggle to accommodate increased connectivity requirements due to inflexible legacy infrastructure. Eighty percent of organizations say they are struggling to meet current business requirements with their existing networks, according to a recent IDG study.
Verteks offers managed network services to help you meet changing needs with a fast and reliable network. Contact us to set up a free consultation.
