Laying at the base of an organisation’s cloud digital strategy, the network is a key enabler of any business transformation process. With factors like increasing hybrid working mode, speedy migration of apps to the cloud, and a constantly growing security landscape becoming a constant in the business space, it becomes extremely critical to handle the network as efficiently as technically possible.
This surge in demand for better connectivity has made companies more appreciative of networks as a key contributor to achieving business objectives.
In this article, we will deep dive into a concept gaining immense popularity in the digital space – Network-as-a-Service. We will look into everything from NaaS managed services meaning when a company needs it and what some of its benefits are.
What is the meaning of NaaS?
Network as a Service is when companies outsource their network’s planning, lifecycle management, upkeep, and evolution to a skilled managed service provider. The provider is responsible for managing and optimising the network infrastructure, security, services, and its licensing.
The reason why businesses tend to choose the model is because it provides scalable consumption, better cost savings, and unfiltered access to the latest innovations happening in the networking space, including private network solutions. These solutions ensure that all of this is achieved while keeping businesses’ needs aligned with the network strategy they choose, offering enhanced security and tailored configurations that are critical for their operations.
Do you even need NaaS?
A smartly and safely configured NaaS is known to offer businesses better scalability, flexibility, automation, and predictability needed for a high-performing business environment. However, it comes with its own set of complications around training, setting up a new infrastructure, and costs. So how can you be sure if you need NaaS operations like managed wifi?
Well, the answer to this can be different for business and technology drivers.
For business drivers
- The transition to a hybrid mode of operation requires a scalable, dynamic, and safe network infrastructure in your company. Your company is no longer clustered in a centralised office.
- The utilisation of cloud services has increased the bandwidth requirements, which include systems that eed cloud hyperscale networks.
For technology drivers
- You lack the performance your business requires as the network hardware is overdue for a refresh.
- You want to be at a stronger security standpoint since more devices, people, and endpoints are now connected to the network.
- You are finding it difficult to handle a mix-technology networking environment that comprises interoperability issues, legacy elements, and inconsistent licensing SLAs.
- You have multiple IoT sensors and devices in place, which require a network infrastructure to support the time-sensitive and low-latency nature of the communications.
The benefits of NaaS
There are time-tested reasons why businesses choose a network-as-a-service model for their operations. Let us look at the top ones.
Cost Efficiency
NaaS platforms usually follow a pay-as-you-go subscription model, which allows businesses to make payments purely for the services and network resources that they consume. This can lead to massive cost savings when compared to the investments made in traditional network infrastructures.
Scalability
The cloud-focused approach empowers businesses to scale their network resources to increase or lower on the basis of their present-day needs. This flexibility is significant for businesses having fluctuating workloads or constantly changing requirements.
Flexibility and Agility
The model enables a quick deployment of all the network services without the dependency on extensive physical infrastructure. This agility becomes important for businesses that need to adapt quickly to changing market situations or new technological developments.
Global Reach
NaaS providers tend to have a global presence, enabling businesses to expand their network services seamlessly across multiple geographic locations. This is especially beneficial for companies with an international or distributed presence.
Resource Optimisation
The providers tend to optimise resource usage by efficiently distributing network resources across multiple clients. This can lead to better resource utilisation & performance compared to traditional or on-premises network setups.
Centralised Management
NaaS platforms tend to offer centralised management interfaces, giving administrators a unified view of their complete network. This eases tasks like configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting, thus enhancing the overall network management effectiveness.
Security and Compliance
The providers incorporate a robust set of security measures into their offerings, helping businesses safeguard their network infrastructure. This can comprise features like threat detection, encryption, and firewalls, contributing to an enhanced cybersecurity.
Automatic Updates and Maintenance
NaaS companies take complete responsibility for handling routine maintenance tasks, updates, and patches, thus lowering the burden on internal IT teams. This guarantees that the network infrastructure is always up-to-date and secure.
Collaboration and Connectivity
The platforms foster collaboration by offering high-performance and reliable connectivity. This is particularly important in the current business environment, where remote work and collaboration tools are prominent.
Disaster Recovery and Redundancy
The model often comes with disaster recovery and built-in redundancy features, ensuring real-time availability and minimising the risk of network disruptions. This is important for maintaining business continuity in the face of unplanned events.
Now that we have looked into the advantages of NaaS, businesses must partner with the right providers who understand their network requirements. Only the right partnership will be able to help businesses achieve these benefits.
As we conclude the article, let us look into the five ways companies can find the best NaaS-managed service providers.
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Define Your Requirements
Identify the organisation’s specific network needs, including its bandwidth goals, geographical reach, security concerns, scalability essentials, and any industry-focused compliance standards.
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Evaluate Service Offerings
Study multiple NaaS providers and carefully examine their service offerings. Consider aspects such as the scope of network services provided, service level agreements (SLAs), support options, and any added features that might be relevant to your business.
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Scalability and Flexibility
Assess the scalability and flexibility of the NaaS provider’s services. Make sure that the service can effortlessly scale to adapt to your organisation’s growth and acclimate to the changing requirements.
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Network Performance
Evaluate the provider’s network performance, comprising reliability, latency, and bandwidth capabilities. Look for NaaS providers who have built a robust infrastructure that can deliver the performance you need and expect from your applications and services.
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Global Presence
If your company operates globally or has a distributed presence, consider partnering with a NaaS provider with a global network infrastructure. This will help ensure consistent and reliable connectivity across multiple geographical locations.
Now that we have given you a multi-faceted look into Network-as-a-Service, it is time to get started with the model to witness the benefits it has to offer in action. Hope this article proves to be a good foundational step towards the journey.
