8 Benefits of Managed Network Services

Your business increasingly relies on efficient and secure network infrastructures to operate seamlessly. The rise of remote work, multi-cloud computing and data-driven decision-making highlights the importance of effective network management. Managed network services are the solution to handling these complexities. Here are eight key advantages of adopting managed network services.

Setting the Stage for Network Managed Services

The managed network services market is rapidly expanding. The demand for secure end-to-end architectures with improved uptime is higher than ever. Organizations across every industry recognize their networks’ critical role in their operations, making outsourcing network-managed services increasingly attractive.

Network managed services encompass a range of solutions designed to alleviate the burden of network management and optimization from businesses. Outsourcing “keeping the lights on” from an IT perspective frees internal teams to focus on core objectives and strategic innovations. It’s a paradigm shift marking a departure from the traditional in-house management approach to IT as companies increasingly seek to outsource their network operations to third-party providers.

Several factors are converging to set the stage for the widespread adoption of network managed services:

• The increasing complexity of multi-cloud networks.
• The proliferation of mobile and remote devices.
• The advent of 5G networks.
• The rise of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies.

These trends require expertise that is often beyond the scope of individual organizations. Managed service providers bring experience and skills to tackle these challenges effectively.

The growing concern over cybersecurity and data breaches has prompted organizations to seek robust solutions to safeguard sensitive information. Managed service providers can implement advanced security measures and monitor network traffic for potential threats.

Finally, the ongoing shift towards remote and hybrid work models has underscored the necessity of seamless, uninterrupted network connectivity. Managed services can ensure that networks remain responsive, available and optimized to support the dynamic demands of a dispersed workforce.

Benefits of Network Managed Services

1. Enhanced Network Performance: Managed network services can optimize the performance of your IT infrastructure. With dedicated experts monitoring and managing your network architecture, they can identify and resolve issues proactively, minimizing downtime and ensuring smooth operations. These services increase productivity, as employees can focus on their tasks without the frustration of slow or unreliable connections.
2. Expertise and Support: Managed network service providers come with specialized expertise in network architecture, cybersecurity and troubleshooting. Outsourcing network management to these experts gives businesses access to a knowledgeable IT team. This team can swiftly address challenges and implement best practices, often at a fraction of the cost needed to maintain in-house experts.
3. Focus on Core Competencies: Managing a complex network infrastructure can be time-consuming and resource intensive. Delegating these responsibilities to a managed service provider allows businesses to redirect resources towards core competencies and strategic initiatives. When your internal IT team focuses on something other than network trouble tickets, the possibilities for growth and innovation are endless.
4. Scalability and Flexibility: As businesses grow, so do their network requirements. Managed network services offer scalability that can adapt to changing demands. Whether expanding the network to accommodate new branches or scaling up bandwidth to support increased traffic, managed service providers can quickly adjust the network setup to meet evolving needs. This benefit is true whether the organization has an on-premises architecture, cloud or a mixture of both.
5. Proactive Security Measures: Network cybersecurity is always a significant concern. Managed network service providers can implement advanced security measures, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems and encryption protocols, to safeguard sensitive data and prevent unauthorized access. These experts routinely conduct security audits and update software to stay ahead of potential threats.
6. Cost Savings: While investment is associated with managed network services, it often results in significant long-term cost savings. A recent Deloitte study showed 57% of companies consider cost reduction a key benefit of outsourcing their network services tasks.
   Instead of bearing the expenses of hiring, training and maintaining an in-house IT network team, businesses benefit from the predictable monthly costs associated with managed services. The reduction in downtime and the avoidance of major network-related issues also contribute to enhanced cost efficiency.
7. 24/7 Monitoring and Support: Network issues can arise at any time, and downtime can have severe repercussions for a business’s operations and reputation. Managed network services offer around-the-clock monitoring and support, detecting disruptions or anomalies and resolving them promptly, even outside regular business hours.
8. Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity: Natural disasters, cyberattacks or hardware failures can lead to data loss and network downtime. Managed network service providers implement robust disaster recovery plans to restore operations and swiftly minimize their impact. This level of preparedness helps businesses maintain continuity and ensure that critical data is protected.

Red River is pleased to provide managed network services for today’s modern infrastructures.  This servics is a valuable solution for businesses seeking to optimize their network infrastructures. Our experts can help your team with the following:

• Cloud services, from migration to management.
• Collaboration and integration support.
• End-to-end cybersecurity.
• End-user support including a 24/7/365 help desk.
• Full-on infrastructure design, deployment and support.

Contact the Red River team today to discuss your managed network services options.

Q&A

What are network managed services?

Network managed services outsource the management, maintenance and optimization of an organization’s IT infrastructure to specialized third-party providers. These services encompass a range of tasks, including monitoring network performance, troubleshooting issues, implementing security measures and ensuring seamless connectivity. By entrusting these responsibilities to experts, businesses can focus on their core operations while benefiting from enhanced network reliability, security and efficiency.

How can outsourcing network managed services help your IT team?

Outsourcing network managed services offers valuable support to internal IT teams. Internal IT teams can offload these routine tasks by entrusting the day-to-day management of network infrastructures to specialized outsourced providers. Outsourcing enables them to concentrate on strategic initiatives, innovation and core business functions. Additionally, outsourcing brings in-depth expertise, access to advanced tools and round-the-clock support, augmenting the internal team’s capabilities. Collaboration with managed service providers enhances efficiency, scalability and problem-solving, resulting in a well-functioning network environment and a more productive IT workforce.