Your own organisation might use a Cloud-based communications system like hosted voice, or a suite of Software as a Service (SaaS) productivity tools like Office 365, G Suite, Salesforce or Quickbooks. You might store data in the Cloud, or use Cloud services to connect a new army of remote or hybrid workers.
There are very good reasons why you do. Cloud applications tend to be easily and instantly Scalable, meaning you can add or remove users in a couple of clicks. They’re often cost effective, because you don’t have to buy, manage and maintain expensive hardware. They update and add features automatically.
These are all very good reasons to invest in Cloud services, and the same benefits apply to the tools you use to manage your wired and wireless network. The adoption of Cloud managed networking is set to double by the end of 2023, according to Gartner. Network management is increasingly being offered on an SaaS model.
Traditional network management
Cloud managed networking is a relatively new innovation. In the past, larger enterprises would deploy a hardware-based solution for network management, and many of them still do.
Hardware-based networking uses a central controller to manage multiple Access Points (APs) and switches across a single site or multiple sites. All network traffic passes through the controller, which means it has a holistic view of the entire network and everything happening on it.
Which is great. You need a complete view of your network status. The problem with a hardware-based solution is that it requires significant IT expertise to implement, configure and manage. Like other on-premise IT Infrastructure, it’s also a little inflexible. Scaling your solution up and down is a time-consuming task.
The alternative is a software-based model, that does away with the hardware controller and replaces it with a software-based alternative. This has the major advantage of not requiring you to buy and manage complex equipment.
It also lets you manage your entire network from a central platform. If your organisation is not blessed with wide networking expertise, it’s good to know that network management software interfaces are usually designed with ease-of-use as an abiding principle.
Cloud-based network management is similar to its software-based cousin, but takes the logical next step. It puts all that network management Infrastructure in the Cloud, making it accessible from anywhere (or at least anywhere with an internet connection) and on any device.
The right time for Cloud managed networking
That accessibility helps to explain the growing popularity of Cloud managed networking. Since the start of the Covid pandemic, we’re used to business tools and services that we can connect to in our back bedrooms, in the local coffee shop and on the train, as well as when we’re at work.
The advent of hybrid working means that the need for “work anywhere” solutions isn’t going anywhere. Many staff will no longer be in the office full time, spending several days a week working from home. Those with responsibility for the smooth running of your network may also demand the option of remote or semi-remote working.
So the first and most obvious benefit of Cloud managed networking is that it allows you to manage your network wherever you are. All you need is a smartphone, laptop or tablet and an internet connection.
But it’s far from the only benefit. In the next section we’ll look at the other reasons behind Cloud managed networking’s soaring popularity.
The far reaching benefits of Cloud managed networking
As we’ve seen, Cloud managed networking lets you manage and maintain your IT Infrastructure from anywhere, and it has a wealth of other advantages for small businesses. Here are some of them:
Ease of use
Cloud-based network management solutions like Nuclias Cloud are a breeze to implement, configure and maintain. Zero touch deployment means technical staff don’t even have to be on site to configure new devices. All management hardware and software is hosted in the Cloud, and accessed via a user-friendly interface that has been designed to make running your network easy. Businesses without any in-house IT support can adopt Nuclias Cloud and create more effective, efficient and secure networks.
Scalability
Because it’s hosted in the Cloud, Nuclias Cloud is almost infinitely Scalable. You can respond accurately and instantly to new circumstances by configuring new APs and adding new users at will.
Cost effective
Nuclias Cloud is a highly cost-effective network management solution, for two reasons. First, like other software-based networking tools it lets you do away with the hassle of maintaining and upgrading expensive on-premise equipment. Second, a pay-as-you-go model means you only ever pay for capacity you need, and never for what you don’t.
Network insight
Cloud-based solutions like Nuclias Cloud gather insight from across your network, giving you an at-a-glance view of the health of wired and wireless services. That lets you deal with issues before they become problems. For retail and hospitality businesses, it also lets you collect valuable data on customer behaviour, letting you tailor services in a way that drives sales and promotes loyalty.
Security
Many businesses cling to on-premise solutions on the basis of security. But Nuclias Cloud offers the latest security protocols, from the end-to-end Encryption of all data travelling between Nuclias servers and devices, to encrypted web communication and role and privilege-based access controls. Simply put, you can assign different privileges to different users, tightly controlling the scope of internal and guest access.
Other benefits
Nuclias Cloud offers a raft of other benefits, from automatic monitoring and alerts to over-the-web firmware upgrades and Cloud-based RF communications.
We could go on, but the core message here is that Cloud-managed networking solutions like Nuclias Cloud give complete visibility and control over data networks to every organisation, regardless of whether they have in-house networking expertise or not. They ensure that anyone can operate a network that is secure, efficient and perfectly optimised to meet their needs.
Some typical use case scenarios
Despite that, it’s true that some organisations – especially large enterprises – value the hands-on control that hardware-based solutions afford. But for smaller businesses, a solution that gives them the network they need and largely stays in the background of their business is ideal. Here are some typical use case scenarios…
Small businesses
Nuclias Cloud is a robust, affordable and easy-to-use solution for small businesses that want to future-proof their network. It keeps your business running without you having to worry about IT.
Cafes and shops
Nuclias Cloud makes managing multiple branches easy. At the same time, it offers seamless and secure Wi-Fi for payment systems and guest use, and real-time analytics that let you tailor guest Wi-Fi experiences.
Boutique hotels
Create a secure and fast Wi-Fi experience for guests and use analytics to improve and tailor your service and drive front of house innovation.
Schools
Create a powerful and secure network to support a digital learning experience, while protecting students and staff from inappropriate material.
Mooncomputers and Nuclias Cloud
The world is changing, and organisations have to change with it. As more services and applications move to the Cloud, it’s natural for network management to move to the Cloud, too. Benefits of scalability, affordability and anywhere access are as important for small business network management as they are for communications, productivity or back office functions.
But many small businesses don’t know where to start with network management. It might not be something they’ve ever seriously considered.
That’s where we come in. Mooncomputers has long experience in Cloud and network management, and employs over 20 dedicated engineers whose role is to design tailored services to meet our customers’ needs.
We’ve partnered with D-Link to offer Nuclias Cloud, a powerful and affordable Cloud managed networking solution created for small and medium sized organisations. We can implement Nuclias network management in your business and configure it to your precise requirements. We’ll support the service with our knowledgeable, 24/7 service team.
Together, Mooncomputers and D-Link can ensure your business has a healthy and hardworking data network with reliable Wi-Fi access, no matter the size or scope of your site. We’ll monitor your network, leaving you to focus on your business.
If you’d like to know more about how Mooncomputers could help your organisation, then please get in touch.
