Can you imagine running a business today without the internet? It’s Impossible. Your business uses the internet for everything from sending emails to recording customer data, at least. But how does your network handle so much work?
That’s thanks to the many network professionals, and other managed services, whose job is to design and maintain your network.
A good managed service provider (MSP) is often the only thing between you and an unworkable internet connection. So, your business needs to choose the right network professional for your businesses needs. They do everything from securing your data from hackers to teaching your staff how to safely use the internet.
What do network professionals do?
Network professionals set up and maintain your businesses networks. They ensure your business’s network has the right topology. They’re also responsible for troubleshooting any network problems with your business. You could say they help keep everyone’s peace of mind.
Their professional activities include installing network devices like routers, monitoring networks for problems, and performing routine maintenance and upgrades. A network professional’s overall goal is to keep your digital infrastructure working.
Why do I need a network professional?
Regardless of your industry, your businesses networks contain critical business information. They may even be critical for your business activities if you heavily use the internet to deliver your services.
Network professionals and other managed services provide you with the following benefits:
Minimal downtime
Computer networks inevitably fail and need maintenance. That’s unavoidable.
But having good network maintenance practices ensures that downtime during maintenance is minimised.
Proper maintenance also lets you assume a proactive approach. Your network professionals could predict where future network failures will occur by monitoring cables for faults.
Improve your brand image
MSPs ensure your business has an impressive business network. A good network doesn’t just reduce workplace headaches. It also boosts your brand image. Key stakeholders in your business will definitely be impressed with your smooth online operations.
A good business network also demonstrates your professionalism. Clients and suppliers will know that your business is trustworthy and professional if you maintain a good network infrastructure.
Reduce delays
The average Australian office probably has thousands of gigabytes worth of data being transmitted every second. Our emails, text messages, and all other online communication depend on safely and securely transmitting data.
A properly maintained network ensures your company experiences the fewest delays. An optimised network also means that you’ll have the smoothest business experience.
Optimise security
We’re sure you know how terrifying cyber attacks are. Hackers will steal your data and misuse it. Worst of all, they focus their attacks on small to medium enterprises (SMEs) because they often have poor network security.
A properly maintained network is the best way to not fall victim to a cyber attack. Regular networking monitoring and performance are your best defence against potential hackers. Specifically, you’d benefit from a managed service providing handling your digital security.
What do network professionals do?
Like any other profession, every network professional has a different day-to-day life. But these are the following 6 activities that most digital professionals and MSPs complete daily.
Troubleshooting issues in infrastructure
Today’s complex networks often experience issues. It’s the managed service provider’s job to fix them. They’ll troubleshoot your network and prioritise detecting and resolving the problem without impacting your business. That’s not an easy task.
Network troubleshooting needs highly technical skills. Thankfully managed service providers have them. They’ll also have professional teams of experts to provide further assistance if their own skillset isn’t enough.
Managed service network professionals ensure that your business doesn’t experience lengthy downtimes or preventable network issues. Their job is to make sure your network works and gets fixed quickly when it doesn’t.
Regular Upgrades
Network professionals have a proactive job. They don’t just show up to fix your network when it breaks down. They also want to prevent breakdowns from happening in the first place. Naturally, the best way to solve a problem is to prevent it from happening in the first place.
One of the best ways to achieve that is to periodically upgrade your network. They’ll routinely monitor your network for weaknesses and fix them. They’ll better understand your business time and provide you with custom solutions to your network problems.
For example, your network professional might route your customer records directly to the terminal switch to reduce latency. They might also introduce a new cloud solution for your company’s remote employees to maintain your workplace’s integrity.
Reducing Risks and threats
The larger and more complex your network is, the more likely you are to have weak spots that hackers could exploit. Network professionals know this, so they actively monitor your network’s security.
Whenever they identify a network weakness or a potential problem, they’ll either fix it directly or recommend a solution to you. For example, two of the most common vulnerabilities are firmware on end-of-life switches and router access points.
A good network professional would fix this problem by identifying these weaknesses in your network. Next, they’ll find the right software or hardware solution to the problem that matches your budget and recommend it to you.
Mobile Device Management
The odds are that the people in your business use their phones, laptops, or other devices in the office. We all check our professional emails on our phones sometimes. Network specialists have to make sure your device has stable and secure network access.
Network professionals achieve this by doing everything from managing access to mobile devices to introducing remote updates. Their goal is to give everyone easy network access without someone gaining authorised access to data.
Network Design and Vendor Management
Every business deserves a network that’s designed for their needs. It’s a network specialist’s job to get you the right network. First, managed service network professionals design the right network for their clients.
Next, they’ll monitor your network and figure out if or when your network’s design should be altered. Let’s say you’re upsetting your company and moving to a new location. Congrats.
Your managed service network professional will redesign your network according to your new needs.
Staff Training and Management
They do this by providing your staff with information on network safety practices, offering helplines, and guiding users. For example, MSPs will teach your staff how to safely access workplace networks with their personal devices.
MSPs value having a good professional relationship with your staff. Establishing a relationship with your business helps MSPs better understand your business needs. As a result, they provide better-tailored solutions to you over time.
Network professionals want you to take full advantage of your shiny new network.
Network maintenance is important. But it isn’t easy. As a business leader, you also probably don’t have the time to troubleshoot your internet every time it shuts down. You also don’t need to.
You can book a free consultation with PowerbITs today to learn more about network professionals and other managed services.