Monday, July 26, 2010

Cost-effective Network Management: Features And Characteristics

Automation entered our lives with the entry of Information Technology. The ambit of automation was not enclosed to a single entity or realm but encompassed realms outside the immediate vicinity of the base or formulating entity. Networks came to be in this manner. With distanced and disparate networks all in the hierarchy of one single project, managing the network became essential. With cost factor being a key factor for any process worth its mention a Cost-effective Network Management System was the demand for the day.

A complete network is made up of two components. They are the hardware component and the software component. One has to only see it to believe it so far as the number of individual components that comprise a complete network.

When any one of these components faces a bug that retards or stops its working the Network Manager is the individual who is called upon to provide a solution. A complete view of the network and its operations from wherever the network manager is located becomes a necessity for providing the solution.

Given the ever changing scenario of any business house which goes with the current volatile market factors, the individual networks that run the business house proceedings are equally altering. A pencil drawn map of the network one day would never match the same drawn on a subsequent day. A tool that would continuously check the network and be able to report the current status of the network along with its breakdown components becomes mandatory for a network manager for his or her functioning. The network manager also uses this tool to manage the components from the remote location..

Software tools that provide this type of facility to the network administrator is called Managed Service Provider. This tool provides a complete overview of the network along with the various programs that are running at each location. It could be a fully automated software, in which case no human intervention is necessary, or it could be a fully manual system. It could also be a mix of the two that is a hybrid between automatic and semi automatic. The choice of which version is to be used would depend on the availability and ability of the network administrator on the company's payroll.

Cost saving factor of such software requires no amplification. Rather than having individual network manager at each individual physical location trying to talk with each other, one network manager sitting remotely is able to monitor and provide solutions to the individual network system.

How well and detailed does the MSP software report the network statistics and status and how wide and deep can the software report decide the power and strength of the software.

Makers of the software would however attach various other features to their product to add selling value to it. Ease with which the MSP software itself could be deployed across the network or how demanding is the software on system resources are such additional features that the makers claim while marketing their products.

The prime factor on which would depend the success story of a business house today is how cost-effective a network the house is able to sustain. Managed Service Provider helps is lowering the cost incurred by the business house towards its e-business venture and therefore it can be termed as the most Cost-effective Network Management tool.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Using MSP Software For Cost-Efficient Network Management

 

Finding a cost-effective network management system can be difficult for those who don't know where to look. Among the many varieties of MSP (managed service provider) software, there are certain optimum features a business should look for in choosing the best management for the job. Here are some ways that MSP systems can streamline the corporate structure for optimum money and time saving. Employee Monitoring- It can often be a huge burden on a company's network and profits if employees are able to get away with regularly listening to music, watching videos, or chatting with friends over instant messaging while working. MSP software enables full monitoring of an entire system of computers, keeping track of the media, downloads, and browser history of each hard-drive assigned to the network. Total Diagnoses- MSP software will help catch every mistake in the system, from slow connections to errors in computer applications that can put a halt to productivity. The software will often be able to fix many issues automatically by deriving the source of the issue and quickly extinguishing or patching it. A record of all flaws and fixes is kept to ensure any patterns are reported to the main network supervisor. Parameters- Business leaders can edit the flood gates of their network as much as they like using MSP software. Stricter boundaries can be placed around access into the database, emails, and outside networks. Likewise, very loose parameter can be set to allow for greater freedom through the database and the internet, such as may suit smaller or more media driven companies.

Organized Reports- On regular intervals, data from each computer in the network, and the overall processes of the network itself are gathered into easily read charts and lists for the company head to view. It displays patterns that may need further investigation and attention by keeping track of connection speeds, access history, malfunctions, and changes in the system. Automated Backup- What used to be a manual job of a company's hired technicians, MSP software can do in regularly scheduled intervals, without any necessary involvement of the software client. Unless wished otherwise, all histories and vital company files are backed-up with copies in a separate server as often as desired. This way, no matter what happens to the company computers, in case of a crash, all data is ready to be retrieved. Crucial Baseline- Every company operates in a unique fashion all unto itself, and the best way for a protective management system such as MSP software to function properly with this fact is the ability to form a baseline. Baselines are the plot of norms in network activity, and tell programs the difference between routine procedures, and suspicious deviations. The software's learning ability relieves corporations the need to set hundreds of allowances, and allows for changes in a system as well. Ease of Use- Cost-effective Network Management can not only be a budget-saver, but also easy to use. Quality MSP services categorize data into various charts regarding each system connection and kind for simple access, and make the causes for error reports easy to track and identify. Along with straightforward options to customize business monitoring, there are few ways to go wrong in deciding to use MSP software to maintain efficiency and order.