As enterprise networks become complex with the growing adoption of cloud computing and trends like bring your own device (BYOD), organizations are challenged with finding the appropriate network management and monitoring solutions that suit their needs.
Given the fact that each enterprise network differs in terms of its size and scope, network management solutions providers should provide solutions that meet the needs of today’s disparate network environment. Unfortunately, many solutions available in the market are not so, according to latest reports.
For example, a recent study by SolarWinds (News - Alert), a provider of network management and monitoring solutions, reveals that IT professionals believe network monitoring solutions available in the market today do not offer enough value to justify the price tag (News - Alert).
The survey was conducted on more than 100 IT professionals from companies with a size of more than 500 employees. Two-thirds of survey respondents indicated they are paying for features and capabilities they do not need or utilize.
The survey especially focused on popular network management solutions from the Big Four enterprise network solutions providers: Cisco, IBM, HP and CA (News - Alert). It showed that 55 percent of respondents who use solutions from those four vendors are ready to give up functionality they are not using in order to reduce their costs.
More than 50 percent of the survey participants also claimed they need to pay for staff training in order to maximize the ROI of their Big Four technology.
Customers of the Big Four also think that ROI on current network management or monitoring solution is not enough to justify the total cost of ownership. According to 34 percent of the participants, management and maintenance fees are a big inhibitor to maximizing ROI. Most of them rely on system integrators.
The survey results indicate the importance of having a clear understanding whether customers are getting optimal value from their
network management tools, says Jim Frey, VP of Research, Network Management, at EMA (News - Alert).
Edited by Rachel Ramsey
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