Digital transformations are no longer optional — they’ve become a requirement for any modern businesses looking to stay competitive.
Applications are increasingly moving to the cloud. Hybrid work has become a permanent fixture in the modern business landscape. All the while, cyber criminals are attacking companies of all sizes and in all industries.
In a landscape where even large corporations are struggling to update their business network, how can smaller organizations be expected to keep pace?
Through managed network solutions. Working with an established vendor allows you to outsource your network operations, creating and maintaining a small business network that’s more reliable, secure, efficient, and cost-effective.
Instead of having to tackle complex management on your own, you can have an expert take care of network visibility, network security, and a great deal more. Many vendors also provide other software solutions and services, including unified communications, automated lifecycle management, and management for mobile devices.
To help you decide whether your business network needs them, we’re going to over the key features and benefits of these network management solutions, then offer a bit of guidance on finding the right vendors to support your networking needs — and why Momentum may be that vendor.
A Quick Introduction to Managed Network Solutions
Traditional solutions require you to manage network operations internally. Managed network solutions instead see you working with an established service provider. Through the expertise that comes from working with a managed service provider, your business network can see greater reliability, improved security capabilities, and enhanced efficiency.
With a vendors support, you can also more easily troubleshoot network issues, ensuring consistent remote access and a reliable internet connection for employees.
Related: How SD-WAN Enables Digital Transformation
Components of Managed Network Solutions
Managed network solutions typically feature a combination of hardware and software components, including network devices such as routers, switches, firewalls, and network operating systems.
Because these resources are managed by a third party, you can free up internal resources to focus on core business operations.
At the same time, you’ll ensure your network is managed by experts while also leveraging advanced technologies like network automation and network analytics without the need for in-house expertise.
Network Management and Monitoring
Managed service providers typically provide 24x7x365 monitoring for both incoming and outgoing traffic on your business network. This allows them to identify and troubleshoot network issues before they impact business operations. They also offer real-time awareness of your network’s status and performance
Network Security
Even a small business network faces a multitude of security risks. That’s why most managed network solutions have a cyber security component. Their solutions have security capabilities built in at the foundation to protects against unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction of sensitive data. Network automation is also one of the key features of these solutions, helping to implement and maintain secure internet access across the entire business network.
Other security functions include firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, antivirus software, and encryption.
Vendors may also offer regular security audits and vulnerability assessments to help identify and address potential security risks.
Optimization is essential to ensure that a business network is running efficiently and effectively.
Monitoring network traffic, identifying bottlenecks, and optimizing configuration via analytics can go a long way toward improving network performance. Managed service providers can also help ensure a business network is scalable and capable of adapting to the business’s growing needs. Continuously analyzing and fine-tuning network traffic and infrastructure also ensures that business operations can continue without interruptions or slowdowns.
Related: How SD-WAN Protects Your Cloud Networks
Scalability and Flexibility
Managed network solutions must provide enough flexibility and scalability to handle both fluctuations in network traffic and long-term business growth.
A business network must be able to adapt to changing needs. It must also accommodate different types of network devices and applications. These include connected devices, mobile devices, and a wide range of other IT systems.
Cloud Compatibility and Integration
Cloud compatibility is non-negotiable for effective network management. Particularly if they are to support software defined infrastructures, managed network offerings must be compatible with leading cloud solution providers. These solutions must also be cloud-agnostic and integrate across both multi-cloud and hybrid environments.
Small businesses that choose a cloud compatible managed networking solution can benefit from increased flexibility, scalability, visibility, and cost-effectiveness.
Network Infrastructure
Network infrastructure refers to the physical and logical components that make up a computer network. This includes devices such as routers, switches, and servers, as well as the cables and wireless connections that link them. A robust network infrastructure is the backbone of any business, ensuring seamless communication and data transfer across the organization.
Solid investment into network infrastructure is essential for the operational efficiency of any small business network. It’s also important for supporting a range of hardware and software applications and services.
Wired and Wireless Networks
Wired networks use physical cables to connect devices, providing a stable and high-speed connection. They are generally faster and more secure than wireless networks, making them ideal for environments where data security and speed are paramount.
Wireless networks use radio waves to connect devices through a wireless router, offering greater flexibility and mobility. Wireless connectivity is perfect for dynamic environments where devices need to move freely, such as in offices with mobile devices or remote access requirements.
Network Design and Layout
Network design and layout refer to the strategic configuration and organization of a network.
This includes the placement of devices, the routing of cables, and the configuration of network protocols. A well-designed small business network can significantly improve performance, reduce downtime, and increase overall efficiency.
Proper network design ensures that data flows smoothly, minimizes bottlenecks, and supports the scalability and flexibility needed to adapt to future business demands. The way a small business network is designed can also influence network security.
Benefits of Managed Solutions for a Small Business Network
Managed network solutions solve a lot of the issues you run into when you’re managing a small business network yourself.
Controlling costs: Working with a managed service provider keeps your costs predictable while also helping you lower overhead through better utilization.
Maintaining a competitive advantage: In addition to outsourcing network management, small businesses working with a managed service provider can leverage emerging technologies to better support customers and staff.
Increasing network security: A managed service provider offers a range of solutions to help small businesses keep sensitive data safe, all without requiring additional expertise.
Flexibility and scalability: From wireless networking for resource sharing and connectivity to intelligent traffic routing, service providers offer a range of solutions through which small businesses can ensure their network operations are both flexible and scalable.
Increasing productivity: Leaving network management to the experts allows small businesses to focus their attention on other projects, and many managed service providers also offer solutions that include automated workflows.
Supporting remote work: Access to a reliable internet connection through a managed network solution helps avoid workflow interruptions while enabling secure remote access for employees working offsite.
Enhancing reliability: A manage service provider combines their own expertise with network automation to streamline monitoring and management, ensuring everything runs smoothly.
High network availability: A managed network provider will operate under a service level agreement (SLA) that guarantees uptime. Network analytics can help in ensuring uptime by identifying and resolving potential issues before they cause disruptions.
Momentum’s Managed Network Solutions
There’s a wide range of solutions for your small business network, ranging from simple internet access and wireless connectivity to offerings such as network security, mobile device management, and virtualization environments. We’ve listed a few of ours below to help you determine which one is right for your organization.
Global Internet
Momentum’s global internet is a solution that provides scalability, diversity, and ease of integration. It provides both wired and wireless connectivity anywhere in the world, with best-in-class performance, connectivity, and coverage. For small businesses with unique requirements, Momentum also offers bespoke, hands-on implementation — ensuring your Internet connection is a perfect fit for your needs.
You can also increase the capacity of your network with high capacity services from Momentum. These solutions use fiber and wave broadband for connectivity. They can also enhance local area network (LAN) performance.
Secure Networking
Momentum’s Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) offering enhances network security by allowing you to dynamically extending zero trust network access to any device, user, or endpoint. Supported by powerful artificial intelligence and with centralized remote management, it features end-to-end protection and security designed for high-bandwidth use cases. It can also be combined with Momentum Navigator SD-WAN to create a powerful virtual network.
SD-WAN
Software-defined wide area networking, or SD-WAN, is the future standard for networking. Through a software-defined networking layer, it allows you to easily provide access to and support for mission-critical business applications. SD-WAN solutions can also optimize computer network performance by intelligently routing traffic, and may also include self-healing capabilities.
In addition, Momentum’s SD-WAN solution powered by Juniper Networks offers ironclad security that will protect your network devices and help you avoid cyber attacks that could cripple your organization — all without overly complex wireless appliances or networking equipment.
5G Fixed Wireless Access
Remote connectivity is crucial for numerous vertical industries. That’s where Momentum comes in. Our 5G solution offers fast, reliable connectivity that allows you to support mobile devices along with the Internet of Things and emerging technologies.
Keep your business and its people connected from anywhere and at any time with a high-bandwidth, carrier-grade network.
How Momentum Can Help with Network Management Tools
Momentum offers a complete range of managed network solutions, all part of a holistic portfolio of high-quality products and services trusted by over 30,000 locations globally. You’ll experience all the benefits of a high-quality managed network without any of the hassle. More importantly, we’ll provide you with a managed network tailored to your connectivity needs and backed by the Momentum Difference.
Here are just a few of the ways we can help:
Dynamic, flexible, high-performance network infrastructure.
Deploying a high performance wireless network
Intelligent, global network traffic routing.
Network automation backed by Momentum’s comprehensive expertise.
Architecture design and monitoring to ensure optimal network performance and network security.
If you need to improve your network, control costs, and give your business the technology it needs to grow, contact Momentum to learn more.
