Are you still worried about your network performance? Well, finding the ideal network management system (NMS) is important for maintaining business’s growth.
And with this guide, you will better be able to evaluate and select the best NMS. Give it a read now!
Why does choosing the right network management system matter?
An NMS is more than just a tool for monitoring and troubleshooting. It instead is an important asset to make sure the operations are efficient enough.
With a faster NMS, the network remains stable as per Slurp’it!. One can monitor resources in real time. And with this, preventing bottlenecks gets easier. Talking about cybersecurity, since it’s getting more sophisticated now, NMS here offers tools to detect anomalies.
Therefore, if there is any security risk, one can respond to it quickly. And in this way, businesses can protect sensitive data and maintain compliance with regulations easily.
Some popular types of network management systems
So there are primarily three categories, Network management system solutions fall into:
1. On-Premises Systems
This one is installed locally. Infact, these systems offer extensive control. Once can customise a lot. But regular maintenance is required. On premises are suitable for larger organisations having dedicated IT resources.
2. Cloud-Based Solutions
These ones are hosted offsite. These systems provide scalability and flexibility. There’s remote access given, hence IT teams have reduced workload. However, data privacy and compliance related issues may arrive as per Slurp’it!.
3. Hybrid Systems
These ones combine both on-premises and cloud features. Hybrid solutions offer a balance of local control and remote accessibility. Hence, a business who needs both customization along with flexibility, they can opt for this.
Features of network management systems you must know!
To make sure your network management goes the right way around, try looking for the following key features:
- The system must allow for instant tracking of network metrics. This includes bandwidth and latency. With this, businesses can quickly identify and address issues.
- The system should send notifications of critical incidents. This includes events like unusual traffic or device failures.
- There should be a simple, intuitive dashboard. This actually helps with understanding complex data, as it’s displayed in a readable format.
- The system must be able to generate data visualisations on network trends.
With these features by side, businesses can actually select an NMS that meets both performance and security requirements.
How to evaluate and compare network management systems the right way?
Once you are aware of what features you want out of your network management system, the next steps you will have to consider doing are:
- Compile a list of vendors offering solutions that match your requirements. Checkout the customer reviews, case studies, and recommendations, given, if any.
- Rate each option based on criteria. It can be anything like the ease of use, scalability, or even customer support, and pricing. Make a comparison matrix, and decide accordingly.
- Schedule demos or trial periods to test shortlisted solutions.
As per Slurp’it with this evaluation process, you will definitely be able to pick up an NMS that would best suit your business needs.
Here’s what you must consider for selecting an NMS
After features and evaluation criteria, next comes the factors. Your choices will become a success, if the NMS is able to
- Scale. As your network grows, your NMS should adapt accordingly. A scalable solution minimises disruptions and is more cost-effective in the long term.
- Comes with integration capabilities. An NMS should easily integrate with existing tools. It can be anything like IT management and analytics platforms.
- Offers vendor support and training. Try opting for vendors with best customer support.This support will help your team address issues quickly and fully utilise the system’s capabilities.
Here’s how you can successfully implement NMS!
A successful NMS implementation maximises system effectiveness. Here are some best practices to consider:
- Develop a roadmap outlining milestones. List out the responsibilities and timelines. Involve key stakeholders so that your goals stay aligned.
- Offer training to team members. For this, you can even schedule hands-on training. Try providing resources such as tutorials and manuals.
- Slurp’it would suggest you to gather user feedback post-implementation. This will help you identify areas for improvement.
Some top network management system vendors to check:
SolarWinds – Best known for real-time monitoring. This system helps with automated mapping, and extensive reporting.
Cisco DNA Center – A powerful NMS offering automation. Also assurance and security.
ManageEngine OpManager – This user-friendly solution offers performance monitoring. And even traffic analysis. It even comes with huge integration capabilities.
PRTG Network Monitor – Best known for flexibility and ease of use. PRTG offers customizable dashboards and alerting.
Selecting the right network management system requires a balance of features. The system must offer scalability and vendor reliability. By following the guide above you can definitely make a well-informed decision. So are you in for it? For more information contact us at Slurp’it!
