Does Network Visibility Have to Be a Frankenstein?

Maintaining optimal network performance is always a delicate balance. For many enterprises, the network is more than just a connection; it’s the backbone that makes all operations and communications possible. When it’s performing well, customers can access services and make purchases, employees can work with the data and applications they need, and partners can communicate with the organization. Business hums along.

But then you start adding to the network load. The executive suite starts holding weekly video conferences with global partners. Marketing starts hosting daily webinars. Applications get moved to the cloud so that remote users have easier access. And the company moves to a VoIP solution for phone.

Now you’re out of balance, and you’re getting complaints from customers, users, and the CEO.

Network visibility isn’t optional anymore

Of course, the issue is that you can’t really see what’s happening inside the network as traffic moves across it. You can see the results on either end … but what’s going on inside? Are the issues inside the network? Are they with a particular application? Are they caused by a security breach? And do you need separate tools to monitor all those pieces?

This is a central problem for many enterprises, according to a survey of IT professionals by IT research consultants at the Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG). Respondents revealed that network complexity means increased performance challenges.

IT pros are employing multiple network monitoring tools to get visibility into all the parts of their architecture, but many aren’t up to the task of dealing with high-bandwidth environments. That means IT pros need additional tools to take up the slack — so they are ending up managing multiple tools and solutions without getting the information they really need from any of them. They end up with a patchwork Frankenstein’s monster instead of a comprehensive solution.

It’s not enough to just see into the performance of one piece of your network. User experience, application performance, and the network are all interconnected. You need a complete view into the whole enterprise.

This critical need for high-level visibility is leading more enterprises to abandon the strategy of using a patchwork combination of tools; instead, they are eyeing complete network management platforms in which all aspects of their network architecture can be centrally monitored and managed.

Platform-based monitoring and management solutions such as Riverbed SteelHead not only provide visibility throughout the network, they enable proactive administration to allow IT to deal with issues before they hear about them from customers or users.

For global enterprises tired of being nickel-and-dimed with a patchwork of tools, this comprehensive approach is a truly cost-effective and efficient alternative — and it takes a little weight off the backs of your IT team, allowing them to focus without the confusion.

What systems or processes are bogging down your business? The experts at Atrion have the experience to help you find opportunities for greater efficiencies throughout your enterprise. Contact Atrion at 908-231-7777 or info@atrioncomm.com, or visit us online.