Managed Network Services are the Least Expensive Option

New technology is great for companies. It allows users to be more effective, allows for cost savings, and keeps the business ahead of their peers by allowing them to provide better customer service. Experienced network administrators, however, know that the more complex technology gets the harder it is to keep it working properly. Managed network services close the gap on the required support.

Companies know that they have to hire consultants to design, deploy, and train them on new technology. They are also used to buying yearly maintenance for manufacturer’s support on software or hardware. What is usually left to the IT department is the knowledge and capability to know how everything works together. What organizations are starting to realize is that the ongoing support necessitates a more advanced level of knowledge and experience than internal IT staff usually have.

That is why there is such a noticeable move toward hosted IT services. The hosted application providers have an excellent point in their marketing that it takes advanced skills to support advanced technology.

What is often not mentioned is that having outsourced applications means that a company’s internal network has to be even more robust and secure while performing at a higher level than before. It requires a lot of skill and experience to be able to maintain today’s advanced LAN’s and WAN’s, especially when they are running converged applications over them like voice and video, while keeping the whole thing secure.

Because of these advanced performance requirements, many companies have begun using a managed network service to assist them in maintaining their advanced data networks in the best working condition. It is tempting to hand over the responsibility for the whole network to a big service provider that promises to handle any issues. Unfortunately, since many of these service providers offer remote support only, when it comes time for design, deployment, or having a person on site for local troubleshooting, they are not able to provide it.

Most businesses would prefer to work with a local managed network service provider, for many of the same reasons that they use local businesses for other services they contract out. To get good quality managed services from local providers, it is best to find out what they are really good at, and ask them if they work with other local providers for other aspects of support. Another alternative is to work with a local provider who resells and provides local on site services for a larger service provider.

Think of these local providers as an extension of the organization’s Information Technology staff. Manufacturer support on products is still necessary. The manufacturer’s support most often includes product upgrades, phone and/or email technical support, and hardware replacement within either a 4 hour or next business day timeframe. This is a necessary part of maintaining system uptime.

When evaluating managed network services providers for additional support, check their references with care, ensure all costs, services, and expectations are agreed upon in writing up front. Moreover, make sure there is a clause to cancel the contract within a reasonable timeframe.

For an example of a local company providing managed network services, look at this Cisco managed services description.

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