Did you know the data processing and hosting services industry is worth $197 billion in the US alone?

With such a big industry comes a lot of different options for network server management, and it’s important to know what they all are. Whether you’re looking to improve your infrastructure or up your cybersecurity, we’ve got you covered.

Read on to learn about the importance of network management and what it can do for your business.

What Can Network Server Management Do for You?

First thing, why is network server management so important?

Not only can a managed IT network help increase the effectiveness of your business’s IT department, but it can also equip your employees with the tools they need for managing your business’s network without excessive manual intervention. 

What Is Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing matters because it’s where your server is hosted. When your server is in the cloud, it becomes a lot easier to manage everyday data and processes, and it also offers your business a potential reduction in costs with an increase in efficiency, mobility, and even scalability.

This is especially nice if you run a smaller business. You won’t have to worry as much about documents and other data security, and you’ll make it a lot easier for your team to be fully remote.

There are a few other components that play into your network management as a whole, though. Here are four of the most important.

1. Wireless Networks

Wireless network monitoring continuously oversees all aspects of a network, including its devices. Using specific equipment, you can track things like connection quality and rates, utilization, or signal strength, and then have that data sent back to your network managers.

If things go awry, then you have the peace of mind in knowing that management will be on it in no time. These services help ensure business continuity, increase productivity, and avoid network downtime. Best of all, you’ll have unlimited access to this no matter where you’re at.

2. Windows Servers

Windows Server is intended for businesses, and it includes enterprise software to help you go further. Here are a few of the best features:

• Active Directory
• Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
• File and storage
• Print services
• Windows update services

Active Directory helps manage all user account authentication like a domain controller, rather than having each user have to log in using a local computer. DHCP automatically assigns IP addresses to each device on the network, giving your IT staff an advantage on the server.

Having a file server for your company allows you to keep important data in a central location, and set permissions to control who has access to which files.

3. Azure/MS 365

Microsoft Azure is filled with over 200 apps, all designed for businesses to use from the cloud or over the internet. That means that, instead of having to store things on company computers, they can simply be offloaded into the cloud.

A lot of companies also use this app to develop and test applications, access software like Microsoft 365 through the internet; and as infrastructure as a service, meaning their data is processed on a virtual machine.

If you have developers, they can also use their own code to do a lot of things within Azure. Microsoft 365 can also be used within Azure to access different user accounts and create groups. These groups are then stored within Azure’s cloud.

Besides that, you can use these two apps to do things like:

• Create and grow your custom app
• Manage devices
• Set up policy-based access control
• Establish a secure connection with Azure VPN Gateway
• Back up data

When used together, you can not only streamline your company’s workflow, but you can keep it safe and secure while doing so.

4. Google Workspace

Similar to Microsoft Azure, Google Workspace acts as your one-stop shop for business software. Both offer things like:

• Cloud storage
• Productivity apps
• Communication tools
• Document sharing
• Management interface to help ensure compliance and other security features

While neither software is inherently better than the other, they are going to be able to offer different things to different businesses.

Google’s interface is cloud-native and relies on browsers to run, while Microsoft has built tools like Teams and OneDrive from its original Office apps. Both interfaces offer offline storage of both emails and documents, and also easy online sharing whenever it’s needed.

Both include web-based management consoles designed for mid-sized businesses and larger, meaning some small businesses might benefit from working with professionals certified in either to keep everything running smoothly.

If you’re stuck in the decision-making process, remember that it’s OK to try both and see which works best for you. A trial period is best if you decide to take this route, though. Once you’ve established your workflow within either, it’s difficult to switch from one to the other.

Both come with a learning curve if you’ve never used them before, but having one suite your business opts to work in is a great timesaver for you and your employees.

Are Managed IT Services Right for You?

Now that we’ve gone over a few of the best basics of network server management, do you think it’s a good fit for you and your business? Whether you’re a small business looking to transition to cloud services for the first time, or you simply want to improve upon the management you already have, we’re here to help you.

At Techromatic, our management services are here to guide you through every step of the process, from deployment to maintenance. Contact us today to get started.