What is an Integrated Network Management System (INMS)?

An Integrated Network Management System (INMS) can be defined as a structured group of automated processes that continually monitors and reports on the health of all manageable objects within a business entities' network infrastructure.  These structured processes can reside within one base computer system, or be dispersed across many regions and many computer systems.  The processes, and their systems, are all integrated so as to create an automated, consistent and logical flow of events as they occur in real time.   Usually, the deliverables would include a Trouble Ticketing System (TTS) and  alpha-numeric paging systems.  The managed objects are usually composed of: 1) network elements, such as hubs, switches, routers, etc., and 2) critical network services, such as DNS/DHCP servers, Firewall servers, proxy servers, etc.  These managed objects usually are managed via the standardized SNMP protocols.

Why is Network Management important to me and my company?

The importance of a good Network Management system, to a business that requires a network infrastructure in order to do business, is absolutely critical to the survival of that business.  Network Management Systems have often been ignored, or pushed to a low priority status, in the early years of developing the inter-networking standards and technologies.  The business world has learned to manage the resources it requires in order to survive, in any trade or discipline - networks are no different in this respect.  A good INMS system enables the business to properly manage itself and enable the IT departments with the tools and resources needed to honor service level agreements, network planning and engineering, and the base for any bill back system requirements.

What type of an Integrated Network Management System (INMS) should I have for my business?

The Network Management System should be designed to meet the current and near future needs of each company, because they come in many different sizes and flavors and costs.  Only highly experienced, and expert NMS Engineers are qualified to properly design the correct INMS for a business enterprise network infrastructure.  This is especially due to the many options available, types of information that can best be leveraged, event flow experience with various services or network elements, etc.  The type of INMS solution is directly dependent on the business's and it's networks requirements.

What are the benefits, or ROI, of an INMS for the business?

There have been many fine articles written on this subject, and I will add some reference links to them.  Basically, the benefit to the business is that it is able to know, and quantify, the quality of service being provided to it's network users.   The "Return on Investment", or ROI, is the cost difference between having an INMS, and not having one.  You would need to answer questions like:  What does it cost the business to have unexpected, and prolonged, network downtimes?  How much downtime does it take to pay for the INMS system?  How much downtime are you willing to suffer per year?  How much money does the business have to throw at network technology, product upgrades, circuit costs, without knowing how they are being used and where the "bottlenecks" exist?  How much are you willing to invest to become pro-active, instead of re-active to network failures?

What can the Beaufait Company do for you?

The Beaufait Company can provide you with over 20 years of experience in the service management of Information Technologies as a INMS design and implementation consultant.  We can help you analyze your business needs, and recommend an appropriate INMS solution to your unique business needs.

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