Real-time network monitoring and reporting is an increasingly critical assignment for already overburdened enterprise IT departments. For many, outsourcing the task is the answer. Understand the drivers and potential pitfalls for outsourcing network monitoring.

IT Projects are characterized by changing technologies, uncertainty, and shifting business needs and objectives. Review core project management basics and increase the chances for ongoing IT project success.

Defined by the Project Management Institute (PMI), the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) is a process-based guide that provides the fundamentals of project management. If left alone to project managers to decipher, the terminology and concepts of the PMBOK can often leave readers unclear and confused. Clear the fog by reviewing PMBOK basics to make the guide a valuable project...

Enterprises are now beginning to feel the impact of retiring baby-boomer executives. The departure of senior executives can be especially problematic because these highly experienced individuals have skill sets that are not easily replaced. Executive management should prepare comprehensive exit plans for retiring executives that take into account their skill sets and professional relationships,...

To ensure project success and that financial objectives are met, enterprises planning an IP telephony deployment must first perform a comprehensive analysis of their existing telephony and network infrastructures.

When enterprises extend the scale or usage of data networks, they need to review not only the quantity of data to be transferred but also the quality of service (QoS) required. As they plan the delivery of business applications, IT departments must understand which network performance targets are important, what levels of service are available from suppliers and what approaches can reduce service...

When an enterprise allows a communication service contract to renew automatically, the enterprise pays more than it should. Save money and get the best services available by actively managing the renewal of communication service contracts.

Although countless enterprises utilize vendor Requests for Information (RFI), C-level executives do not generally enlist them as a part of their daily toolkit. The prudent use of laser-focused RFIs help C-levels stay abreast of technology and develop business relationships with strategic vendors. They also help overworked C-Levels make better technology related decisions and free-up significant...

Enterprises continue to seek ways to improve their bottom line by outsourcing IT related services. The network infrastructure represents an area where costs can potentially be reduced along with personnel expenses. Although network outsourcing can exhibit paper benefits, this case study reviews a mid-sized company’s actual experience one year later.

Sickness, unplanned family events, and medical emergencies are just a few of the unexpected events that can impact an IT organization. When an executive suddenly departs, enterprises must act promptly to minimize the impact on the IT organization and the company. Enterprises can’t afford to spend days or weeks determining a course of action because of the unplanned absence of an IT executive.

Enterprises continue to face the challenge of rapidly deploying high-performance applications across network infrastructures. Cross-functional teams can improve the performance of business applications and a network’s service level capabilities. This case study reviews how Company Z made a cross-functional team a success.

Keeping the network team's skill levels up to date on changing technology and the vendor environment is an ongoing enterprise challenge. Although IT organizations utilize various combinations of vendor and third-party training courses to accomplish this task, the intrinsic value and importance of industry trade shows should not be overlooked.

When comparing specific Managed Security Services Providers (MSSPs) price should be one of the last factors considered as it’s often a case of “you get what you pay for.” Info-Tech’s ITA Premium “Managed IDP Evaluation Questionnaire” is a document that outlines imperative questions to ask of MSSPs when evaluating potential partners.

Using a Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) for Intrusion Detection and Prevention (IDP) services can be a cost-effective choice when compared to a self-managed infrastructure. When comparing specific providers however, price should be one of the last factors considered as it’s often a case of “you get what you pay for.” Other criteria become far more important once the decision to use an...

The costs of carrier services have fluctuated significantly over the past few years, and while pricing has stabilized considerably, some volatility remains. It is possible to have the best of both worlds; long-term contracts with assurance of competitive pricing, but you have to ask for it. Most carriers will be accommodating if you know what to ask for and how to ask for it.

Enterprises investigating hosted VoIP services face a wide array of providers and solution offerings from which to choose. Considering the still moderately-high risk associated with outsourcing voice services, it is incumbent on IT leaders to conduct a thorough and extensive evaluation of potential providers and services. Use this guidance to direct a comprehensive assessment of hosted VoIP...

Achievement of high network quality depends on the establishment of appropriate service level targets with network service providers and holding the providers accountable to these targets. Follow these guidelines to establish appropriate service targets, ensure associated monitoring and reporting, and define material financial penalties for missed targets that motivate providers to meet targets.

Changing telecom providers can be a painful experience at the best of times. For enterprises with one or a few sites, switching service providers can be managed relatively easily. But for enterprises with dozens or hundreds of sites, switching telecom providers is a huge and costly project that must be very carefully managed.

Network infrastructures must consistently deliver reliable, quality services to enterprise users. To achieve this, application developers must work closely with the network team to verify that the network quality of service (QoS) and an application’s required performance metrics are in sync. Cross-functional teams should be formed and assigned this task.

An effective and reliable enterprise Domain Name System (DNS) is critical to online customer service, marketing initiatives, and Web-related revenue streams. Consider using a managed external DNS service as a way to help reinforce the enterprise’s online presence.

In some enterprises, the infrastructure that the network group provides is considered a basic utility by business unit executives. In many cases, this myopic view may not reflect the actual value of the network services that IT provides. When quality network services are taken for granted, IT and the business units they support are disadvantaged.

The staff who provide network management and administration are an essential part of the IT team. Nevertheless, the size of the team and the skill mix may be inappropriate for the needs of the organization. By assessing performance relative to targets, management should identify areas of under and over-staffing. By re-aligning staff counts and capabilities to actual requirements, management will...

A significant percentage of enterprises implementing IP Telephony (IPT) are doing so in an effort to reduce costs. If cost reduction is a primary driver for an IPT deployment, ensure that benefits are realized. Reducing labor costs by eliminating redundant, dedicated telephony management positions is one of the key contributors to cost reduction with IPT.

By adopting a proactive approach, managers can prevent common teleworker problems and concerns. Improve the success of a teleworking program by taking care to understand and adhere to policies, set and measure goals, and ensure the teleworkers have the right tools at their disposal.

Key members of the network staff are important assets for most enterprises. Implementing appropriate measures to achieve a high level of employee retention within their ranks must be considered. However, the first requirement is to identify those key individuals and then take the appropriate steps to help them grow and entice them to stay.

Network infrastructures are in a state of flux as various wired and wireless technologies jockey for position in the enterprise. This scenario creates a strain on network resources that is challenging to correct. Consequently, enterprises should consider adding a subject matter expert (SME) to the staff to plan and manage technology implementations.