No matter how big or small your organization is, it can’t survive without a reliable network. However, establishing and maintaining a business-critical network isn’t without its pain points. Here are six common network challenges and how to avoid them.
1. Filling Technology and Training Skills Gaps
Because technology changes so quickly, even advanced degree programs may not prepare workers for the most recent innovations. This can result in significant skills gaps.
To fill these gaps, you can outsource much of your IT. This way, you get seasoned professionals who keep up with the latest tech developments and work with the most recent technology on the landscape.
2. Sourcing Highly Paid Specialized Network Professionals
Knowledgeable networking pros can be worth their weight in gold because they can build the kind of infrastructure that propels your business to the next level, but this often comes with a cost. Finding—and paying—highly-skilled networking experts can be difficult and fiscally infeasible.
To circumvent this challenge, you can choose certain services that you want to hire an outside managed service provider to handle. Then you don’t have to sacrifice expertise for affordable services.
3. Managing Networks & Security
Due to the constantly evolving threat landscape and networking technologies, it can be hard to know if you have the latest and greatest tech and protections. Often, the best way to figure out where you stand is to request a network and security audit from an external company. Then you can implement any suggestions they make, optimizing your network performance while boosting security.
4. Gaining Network Visibility
Seeing who is connecting, when, and where can be difficult. This is particularly true with a remote or hybrid workforce that may use a number of different devices.
You can use a managed services provider to map your network, monitor who connects and when, and manage user permissions, as well.
5. Preventing & Responding to Network Problems
Problems with your network can often consume many hours—or days—and your business may not have the time to put its operations on pause—even for a short period of time.
If your network is managed by an outsourcing partner, such as TPx, you get experienced professionals who know how to detect and mitigate network problems, as well as prevent some from ever popping up in the first place.
6. Retaining Existing IT Staff
The burden on IT staff grows by the week—new threats, technologies, and initiatives can quickly begin to take a toll. The weight of responsibility can result in stress, short fuses, and, eventually, complete burnout.
By using a managed IT solution, you can lift the weight off your IT team’s shoulders and allow them to choose which services they’d rather have you outsource. This shows respect for both their time and abilities.
Your Guide to Networks
The pain points to managing networks on your own are all too clear. As an integral part of your business, optimizing your network is likely a top priority, but it requires a level of expertise that you may not have in-house. The experts at TPx have composed a comprehensive computer network guide to help businesses navigate the complex world of network strategy.
To learn even more about how to optimize your business’ networking, reach out to TPx today.