IT teams today are under immense pressure to have seamless, reliable connectivity. Managing and monitoring seamless networks from the edge to the core to the cloud can be challenging. If not addressed, mismanagement and lack of network visibility can lead to revenue-impacting inefficiencies. Your team is tasked with ensuring your network’s security and maintaining superior performance, but the stakes are higher than ever, and the margin for error is slim.
A competitive and seamless network requires expertise, efficiency, and reliability. The complexities of modern networks make expertise essential—extending far beyond initial network deployment.
As digital transformation accelerates, several key trends are reshaping the enterprise landscape, making it difficult to reach network nirvana:
- The rising need for edge connectivity: With an increase in Internet of Things (IoT) devices and real-time data processing, bringing your network closer to the edge is essential. However, managing complex networks from the edge to the core to the cloud creates significant challenges in network security, latency, and scalability.
- Increasing cyber threats: Cybersecurity is a growing concern. With attacks becoming more frequent and sophisticated, obsolete “fortress-like” security measures aren’t protecting you inside and out.
- Shift to hybrid and multi-cloud environments: As businesses continue to move toward hybrid and multi-cloud environments, the complexity of network management increases. Ensuring seamless connectivity, security, and performance across multiple environments requires advanced planning, visibility, and expertise that many in-house teams lack.
As these trends continue to make you rethink your network strategy, you’re likely facing a critical decision: should you face digital transformation alone, or should you partner with a managed service provider (MSP)?
So You’re Thinking of Doing-It-Yourself (DIY)?
While the idea of a DIY approach may offer perceived cost savings and control, the reality often tells a different story. As networks—especially at the edge—become more complex you must consider:
- Do I have the resources? True digital transformation requires specialized knowledge. Without this knowledge, you risk network misconfigurations, managing network vendors, and lacking the expertise to address complex issues. This often leads to costly disruptions and prolonged network downtime.
- Is my security posture vulnerable? As cyber threats grow in sophistication, securing your network inside and out becomes daunting. For example, secure access service edge (SASE) is a necessity for modern networks. However, implementing and managing a SASE solution demands expertise to secure distributed devices. Without specialized support, you leave yourself vulnerable, resulting in data breaches and compliance issues.
- Do I have the resources to focus on network operations? A successful network doesn’t end with a satisfactory deployment; continuous monitoring, proactive management, and quick resolution of issues are crucial to maintaining network performance and reliability. Your internal team may find themselves overwhelmed by the ongoing demands of network management, leading to inefficiencies and increased data risk.
Network Expertise Matters
Having the right resources, ensuring a strong security posture, and managing modern networks require expertise. Security, efficiency, and reliability are not just nice-to-haves—they are necessities for maintaining a distributed network ecosystem. A strategic partnership with an MSP can fill the gaps, providing the support required to maintain your network.
The question remains: why wouldn’t you employ an MSP? They’re not taking over your team—MSPs provide a support system so your technology and network teams can focus on business-critical priorities.
From Signature to Network Services
While there are several options for managed service providers to help you deploy, manage, and maintain your edge networks, no two MSPs provide the same level of service. So how does Zayo’s unique approach to managed services benefit our customers?
Zayo’s approach to managed services is tailored to help businesses overcome these challenges with a strategic partnership. Here’s how expertise and service make an impact:
- Tailored Support and Proactive Management: Zayo’s team of experts, including Service Assurance Directors like Norman Bates and Customer Success Managers like Adam Harvey, work closely with customers to understand their unique challenges and provide custom solutions. This personalized approach ensures that your network is not just functional but optimized for performance from day one. “We build partnerships,” says Norman Bates. “This philosophy drives everything we do, ensuring proactive support is always there.”
- Collaborative Partnership: Zayo sees its relationships with customers as true partnerships. This means working hand-in-hand with your team to navigate complexities, whether you’re transitioning to new technologies, expanding your network, or managing day-to-day operations. By understanding your specific needs and goals, Zayo can tailor its services to deliver maximum value. Kameron Coleman, Managed Services Program Manager at Zayo, notes, “Don’t try to be everything, let us support you.”
You’ve signed the dotted line and it’s time to make sure you get the most out of your network. What’s next?
- Official Kick-off: Meet your solution engineers, customer success managers, and project managers. These experts guide you through network planning and custom design, working closely to understand your current network and document our approach, tailored to your business.
- Receive Tailored Support: Meet your dedicated service assurance team. This isn’t just another support desk, it’s specialized, supporting our managed services with dedicated resources to mitigate operational inefficiencies like carrier outages. Plus,
- Gain Network Visibility: Maintain this superior support team throughout your contract, with 24/7 access to exclusive tools like zInsights, Zayo’s Managed Edge customer portal resulting in reduced network vulnerabilities.
Zayo’s approach to managed services is incredibly unique. Your network is not just operational but optimized from day one ensuring you get the full benefits of your solution. After deployment, our dedicated engineering team, project managers, service assurance, and activations teams review the deployment to ensure everything runs smoothly. We provide ongoing monitoring and management for the entirety of your contract (as you see fit), keeping your network at peak performance.
Co-Managed Solutions: Tailored to Your Needs
Most customers, particularly those new to cloud transformation and SD-WAN, can rely on our expertise to navigate complexities and maximize the solution value. But you decide the level of management that suits your needs. Regardless, you get full access to applications, services, and vendor tools. You can control as much or as little as you want, to perform at maximum efficiency. Co-management is more than just service – it’s a partnership.
We strive for long-term collaboration, not just break-fix support. By working closely with your team, we understand your needs, ensuring that any changes needed won’t disrupt performance.
Our Proof Lies in our Practice:
When a national carrier unexpectedly shut down all 3G service networks, one of Zayo’s customers’ entire 3G-only access network became inoperable. Zayo’s service assurance team quickly stepped in, working with the carrier to order, ship, and replace all SIM cards with LTE-compatible ones, restoring service promptly. As Adam Harvey, Senior Customer Success Manager, says, “This responsiveness and care for our customers defines Zayo.”
In another instance, a customer’s chosen security solution did not meet their expectations and failed to integrate smoothly with their existing systems. Zayo’s team took the initiative to test alternative solutions until they found the right fit. Anthony DiLiegro, Senior Manager of Service Assurance, reflects on this experience, stating, “Zayo delivers solutions that work.”
Reaching Network Nirvana: Management as a Strategic Asset
As your organization continues to digitally transform, the need for effective network management will only grow. Advanced technologies like AI, machine learning, and real-time data analytics will play an increasingly important role in predicting and preventing network issues before they occur. For enterprises, the choice will be about partnering with those who not only understand these technologies but can implement them effectively in the network to create strategic assets that drive business growth.
It’s Time to Decide What’s Next for Your Network
The decision to manage your network in-house or partner with an MSP is not just about immediate cost reduction or control; it’s about ensuring long-term efficiency, security, and reliability. With Zayo’s deep expertise and proactive management approach, your network can evolve from a functional necessity into a powerful enabler of your business strategy.