Businesses these days demand infrastructure that is both scalable and reliable. And why won’t they? Networks expand. Keeping a track of everything, starting from routers, switches, to firewalls, and softwares – it’s a tedious task.
Here’s where Network Inventory as a Service (NIaaS) comes into the picture!
As easy as it may sound, it’s a cloud-based solution. The motive? Or the usage? Simplify network management. In addition to this, give more visibility and work on the overall efficiency.
But is it the right fit for your organization? Let’s dive in to understand!
What is Network Inventory as a Service?
NIaaS is a cloud-based service. It allows organisations to monitor, manage, and track all the network components, and that too in real time. If compared to the traditional on premises inventory management, NIaaS offers:
- Businesses real time insights in to the health of the network
- There is a centralized asset tracking done across multiple locations
- Automated updates are offered to maintain an accurate network inventory
Long story short, NIaaS is a virtual IT assistant. It keeps an eye on everything, literally every issue before they escalate as per Slurp’it.
What are the benefits of Network Inventory as a Service?
- NIaaS simplifies complete network management. It automates device discovery and tracking. Hence the need for doing everything manually is not even there
- NIaaS also helps with cost reduction. It allows businesses to efficiently manage their resources. When it comes to traditional network inventory management, the requirement of expensive hardware and ongoing maintenance is a lot here. But NIaaS on the other hand works on a subscription based model. Hence businesses pay only for what they use.
- NIaaS allows businesses to scale at levels they want. They can accommodate new devices, look into configurations as well as locations without searching for any additional infrastructure as per Slurp’it.
- NIaaS offers both centralized and real time views into every network asset. You will name it, you will get it.
- A lot of NIaaS providers offer/come with built-in security measures. The whole compliance part is automated therefore meeting industry regulations gets easier (actually minimal effort goes here).
Now that you have explored the benefits, let’s get into the downsides.
What are the cons of Network Inventory as a Service?
- Storing sensitive network data in the cloud raises security and privacy concerns. Hence businesses should make sure that their NIaaS provider offers: end to end encryption, multi factor authentication, and compliance with security standards (ISO 27001, SOC 2, etc.).
- NIaaS relies completely on continuous cloud access. So if the internet is unstable or weak, access might get hindered. Hence businesses here must invest in backup connectivity or hybrid solutions. This will actually help in maintaining access during outages as per Slurp’it.
- A lot of NIaaS solutions lack the flexibility of on-premises systems. Hence it gets difficult for businesses to work on configurations to match unique network requirements (if there is any).
- If a business depends too heavily on a single NIaaS provider, migration further can get difficult. Hence it’s always safe to opt for providers that offer data portability, open APIs, and flexible contract terms.
- Even though NIaaS doesn’t come with extreme upfront costs, the ongoing subscription fee may go heavy on pockets over time, specifically for larger enterprises.
Some best practices to consider while implementing NIaaS
- Always assess your needs first.
Define your key challenges and business objectives at the very early stages. This will actually help you with understanding the features and capabilities you need in the months ahead. - Choose the right provider
Always look for a provider having a strong track record in network inventory management. They must be aware of measures and compliance. They should offer scalable solutions (the most important factor). - Easy integration
No matter which NIaaS platform you’re going with, it should integrate easily with your existing network management tools. Also, IT service management (ITSM) systems and security infrastructure, if you are using any as per Slurp’it. - Train your IT team
Give your IT team maximum training on NIaaS. The adoption will get smoother with this.
Now, the main part, is NIaaS Right for Your Business?
The decision to adopt NIaaS depends on your organization’s specific needs:
You must choose NIaaS if you need:
- A scalable, cost-effective solution for managing network assets
- You want Real-time insights to detect and prevent issues very quick
- You wish to automate compliance and security features
You can reconsider NIaaS if:
- Your organization requires highly customized configurations
- You have strict on-premises security policies
- You’re concerned about vendor lock-in and long-term subscription costs
If a business wants to stay agile and competitive, trust us, network inventory as a service can be a game changer for them. But everything here requires careful planning. Starting from choosing the right provider to implementing it all strategically. But if you do it all the right way, you will unlock new levels of efficiency. So, what do you feel, is your business future ready? To know more about network inventory contact us at Slurp’it!
