Guest Blog by Shubham Saloni, Meter
As enterprise networks grow increasingly complex, the traditional approaches to network design, installation, and management are struggling to keep pace. IT teams are being asked to do more with less while the number of devices and the intricacy of network requirements continue to skyrocket.
“It’s time for a different approach to networking, and enterprises are starting to recognize Network as a Service (NaaS) as the leading contender to revamp enterprise networking.” – Shubham Saloni, Wireless Engineering Leader, Meter.
The Challenges of Modern Enterprise Networking
A typical enterprise network today has to deal with thousands of devices, ranging from computers and printers to sensors and autonomous robots, all demanding seamless connectivity and optimal performance. Yet, the enterprise needs to manage this growing set of networking demands with a static IT team size, limited resources, and a dwindling pool of networking expertise. Many senior IT and network engineers face this daily challenge of trying to do more but having their hands tied resource-wise and time-wise.
Traditional approaches to networking involve piecing together solutions from multiple vendors, each focusing on either products or services. Product-centric vendors offer quality hardware and software but often lack network design, deployment, and management expertise. Service-centric providers, such as managed service providers (MSPs), fill this gap but may need more support with scalability and advanced networking challenges due to their lack of control over the underlying products.
The promise of NaaS
NaaS offers a compelling alternative to the traditional networking model. By combining hardware, software, deployment, and management into a single, subscription-based offering, NaaS promises to simplify and streamline enterprise networking. However, not all NaaS solutions are created equal.
Many current NaaS offerings are incomplete solutions or merely traditional product or service-focused businesses with a subscription pricing model. While these options can provide value, they often fail to deliver NaaS’s full potential.
Meter’s Vision for NaaS
At Meter, we have spent the past decade developing a NaaS solution that embodies the best product and service. Our offering is designed by network engineers, for network engineers, to enable IT teams to quickly and efficiently get through mundane network management tasks and focus their time on higher-value IT and networking initiatives. Our comprehensive NaaS solution includes:
- ISP selection and negotiation: We handle the often frustrating and time-consuming process of finding and negotiating with the best internet service provider (ISP) for businesses, ensuring customers get the optimal rate and a smooth installation.
- Custom network design: Our expert team optimizes customer networks, tailoring them to their unique space and requirements.
- Enterprise-grade hardware: We provide and install our custom-designed enterprise hardware, including racks, security appliances, switches, and access points.
- Thorough network testing: We rigorously test customer networks to ensure peak performance and reliability.
- Integrated security and network services: We provide and configure essential networking and security services, such as SD-WAN (multi-WAN), VPNs, and DNS security.
- Proactive network management: Our resilient technology keeps customer networks running smoothly, even facing challenges like access point failures.
- Real-time visibility and control: Our intuitive dashboard gives customer IT teams the autonomy to co-manage networks as needed (or let Meter handle it all) while providing real-time insights and expediting troubleshooting processes.
- Dedicated and experienced support: Our network engineers are an extension of customer IT teams, providing ongoing support and maintenance.
The Meter difference
Our unwavering commitment to excellence in both product and service sets Meter apart. The people who build the hardware and software should be responsible for its success. This integrated approach ensures that our solution is continuously optimized for performance, reliability, and user experience.
Early customer engagements have already proven the value of our NaaS offering. By leveraging Meter’s expertise and technology, IT teams can focus on strategic initiatives and drive business growth rather than getting bogged down in the day-to-day complexities of network management.
The future of enterprise networking
At Meter, we envision a future where enterprise networking is as simple and reliable as electricity and water. We aim to revolutionize how businesses approach networking by providing a comprehensive, service-oriented solution.
As enterprise network demands continue to grow, the need for a new approach to networking has never been more apparent. NaaS, as delivered by Meter, represents the future of enterprise networking. IT teams are empowered to focus on innovation and business value while leaving the complexities of network management to the experts.
Many customers have embraced the future of networking with Meter’s NaaS solution and experience the difference that comes from a solution built by network engineers for network engineers.
/Shubham.
