Go on the offense when it comes to your network by installing powerful network management tools in your workplace. These tools can stop the problems that cause you or your employees headaches. Network management services tools save you time and money by automating repetitive tasks, managing IP addresses, configuring devices, rebooting your system or restarting your applications.

The old school method is to go to each PC and install the software. Using these network management performance tools can help you run your business more efficiently and effectively. Here are some tasks they can perform:

1. Network management tools can do root cause analysis.

2. Bandwidth management services can monitor your network performance.

3. A good network performance management application can make your network more reliable and secure.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Outsource your network to a full service network management company

If you don't have the staff or budget, consider hiring an outsourced network management services company to save money and time. These network management companies devote their time to managing companies' network systems. Seek a full service network management services company, meaning they're open 24 hours a day/7 days a week and staffed with technical support analysts who can handle emergencies. These network management service providers have highly skilled network engineers, network administrators, and security analysts who will monitor and analyze your network performance. They're trained to identify trends and look for viruses or spam that may attack your network. If you want, they will provide comprehensive reports to help you make decisions when it comes to your network's health.

I recommend: One way to find good network management service companies is to look for authorized partners of a company such as Cisco. To be authorized, they must be certified. That means taking Cisco’s courses and passing tests. Check Cisco’s website for authorized partners.

Find reputable network management service tools

Use a network management software application that can assess your network problems and determine the root causes. This will tell you how much RAM, CPU use, and the number of instances your network is running. You can determine if your network or an application is the cause of your performance problems. A good network performance tool enables you to correct performance problems immediately. You can also use it to plan for changes in your network environment.

I recommend: Look at Cisco or SolarWinds for network monitoring tools. They are the leaders in the network performance management field.

Set up a knowledge base on network management solutions

A knowledge base can help you capture and store your root causes as well as solutions. It saves time and money because your own employees can look for solutions rather than waiting for an expert to solve their problems. All of your employees will find the knowledge base beneficial - whether they're help desk analysts, technicians, or engineers.

I recommend: Check out Microsoft’s SharePoint to set up a knowledge base to provide network management solutions for your employees. You can also use Adobe's RoboHelp to create knowledge bases.

Install a good bandwidth management services tool

Use a bandwidth management tool to gain control over your network. A good network performance monitoring tool can analyze your network traffic, translate those numbers, and produce easy-to-understand tables or charts. You can see who is using your network and how it's being used. You can stop unnecessary bandwidth or let the network management service tool help you to decide if you should upgrade your bandwidth.

I recommend: Check out Bandwidth Controller. It has software for home or small businesses and also for corporations.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  To stay on top of the network management services world, you should bookmark Network World.