Managed networks, managed monitoring

Rapid digital transformation and the use of modern technologies make companies increasingly dependent on their IT infrastructure. At the same time the spread of cloud computing, the Internet of Things (IoT) and increasing networking mean an increased risk of cyber attack and data loss. Companies are forced to improve their IT security in order to protect themselves from these threats.

In this context managed services are becoming more important. Companies can optimise their resources and concentrate on their core competences by outsourcing IT tasks to specialist providers, while at the same time ensuring that their IT systems are always state-of-the-art and safe from attack.

Managed networks is the term used when companies outsource the administration and monitoring of their network infrastructures to third-party providers. The latter monitor the traffic, manage switches and routers and monitor the network connections and devices. They ensure better availability and performance, and cut downtimes and operating costs.

Edge computing refers to a distributed architecture in which data processing and storage are decentralised and thus located closer to data sources and end devices. This reduces latencies. Micro or Mini Data Centres are often used at the edge, because by contrast with traditional data centres they can be flexibly used and are easily scalable.

Managed network and monitoring services are especially effective for such edge systems, as decentralisation and the high number of distributed components make management and monitoring considerably more difficult. Managed services, on the other hand, provide continuous monitoring and diagnosis. This means that potential problems and errors can be quickly identified and rectified before they result in a malfunction. In addition, by using security solutions like firewalls, intrusion detection systems and encryption which are always up to date, the service provider ensures that the network is protected from potential attack.

Managed services can be a cost-effective solution for companies wanting to improve the performance, security and availability of their IT infrastructure. Not only because the third-party providers use the latest technologies and tools and hence design the IT services more effectively and efficiently, but also because companies save substantial amounts of money on personnel, training, hardware and software. A further benefit of managed services is scalability. If a company is growing or its requirements change, it is often difficult and expensive to adapt the internal IT infrastructure. With managed services the requisite resources can be added or removed quickly and easily without making additional investment in hardware, software and personnel.

Being able to identify and rectify problems early, before they cause downtime or other malfunctions, not only cuts the cost of repair or reinstatement, but also reduces the impact on the company’s productivity and reputation. Third party protection against cyberattack, malware and other security risks helps to minimise costs incurred by data loss and theft.

Last but not least, managed services can help to improve a company’s ROI (Return on Investment), because they optimise its business processes, increase productivity and competitiveness, and result in greater customer satisfaction.