Today’s network management teams focus on responsiveness, performance, agility and low total cost of ownership. That’s why they rely on cloud technologies such as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions that offer flexibility at a low price. SaaS can be quickly deployed and customized to meet specific needs, and offers time-saving features like automation and event correlation across heterogeneous networks.
The network management sector is constantly changing and expanding in a technology-driven world where more data is created every day. Network managers use enterprise IP planning, artificial intelligence, machine learning, analytics, automation and cognitive computing to improve service delivery.
cloud computing
The rise of cloud computing is the most significant trend in network management. With the help of cloud computing, companies can access their data and apps from anywhere. This offers them significantly higher scalability and flexibility than conventional on-premises solutions. Cloud computing is more cost-effective because users only pay for what they use.
intelligent networks
In the next few years, we will see a major transition to intelligent networks that can self-optimize, self-configure, and self-heal. Machine learning, artificial intelligence, and advances in software-defined networking will make this possible. These technologies will help reduce human error, lower costs and increase efficiency.
This capability is critical for organizations with extensive, global networks trying to meet rising customer expectations while lowering operational costs. In addition, intelligent networks promise to improve user experiences by enabling more predictable network behavior and continuous optimization.
The Rise of Mobile and BYOD
BYOD has become increasingly popular lately as more employees use their computers, mobile phones, and tablets for work. As a result, improved network management solutions are needed to help IT staff keep track of all network devices and ensure they are set up correctly. According to a report by Mordor Intelligence, 85% of companies have implemented BYOD policies in response to the COVID-19 epidemic.
Organizations with effective BYOD programs, or those who have only recently begun to address this space, need to strategize today to be prepared for implementing new policies and procedures in the future.
Architecture without trust
The emergence of Zero Trust architectures is the most important network management trend to keep an eye on. This security paradigm assumes that all users are untrustworthy and validates each user before allowing them access to corporate resources.
Traditional security models are no longer viable against today’s complex cyber threats. Hence, this approach is gaining traction. The advantages of the zero trust architecture include lower costs, greater security and increased efficiency.
Cloud-based analytics
With the advent of cloud-based analytics solutions, businesses can easily track and manage their networks. The demand for real-time information, the flexibility of the cloud and rapid scalability are driving this trend. IT teams can use analytics tools to monitor all elements of application performance, from infrastructure issues to user experience concerns.
This allows IT staff to identify issues before they impact business operations or end users. These solutions, which use big data analytics at their core, provide a complete picture of what’s happening with the network at all times, allowing you to take action before service degradation occurs.
Software Defined Networks (SDN)
In a software-defined network, the control plane and data plane are decoupled, and the control plane is implemented in software. This provides better flexibility and agility in network management.
SDN will become increasingly important in the future as it allows for more efficient handling of more complex networks. Businesses can use this technology to choose their hardware or vendor while maintaining full control over their network settings.
Automation and AI
The use of automation and artificial intelligence in network administration will continue to increase in the coming years. This is due to network complexity, a desire for faster problem resolution, and a drive to reduce operational costs. As these technologies advance, they will be able to handle increasingly complex tasks and bring much more value to businesses.
Automation tools can, for example, access the company’s systems via an API (Application Programming Interface) to replace typical operations such as setting up new services or updating software.
Meanwhile, analysis and optimization algorithms based on artificial intelligence can monitor day-to-day operations across numerous devices with little or no human intervention.
Their ability to quickly parse data allows them to spot patterns that humans would otherwise miss. As humans focus on high-level decision-making, automated technologies will take on more tasks.
