10 key questions to ask your managed network provider

STUART WILLIAMSON /

SENIOR PRE-SALES CONSULTANT/ NETWORK SERVICES /

Next Generation Networks:

10 Key Questions To Ask Your Managed Service Provider

INTRODUCTION

• Robust access to corporate resources anytime, anywhere

• Flexibility is required now more than ever

• Acquiring and retaining the skills and systems to run a network is challenging

QUESTION 1 / TELL ME ABOUT YOUR NETWORK

• How resilient is your network ?

– What is the topology of your core network?

– What design is used for site resilience?

– What service level agreement is available?

QUESTION 2 / WHAT HAPPENS IF...... ?

• How Do You Ensure Business Continuity?

– How do you continue to operate if ...?

– Do you have a BC policy in place?

– Do you have more than one data centre I can use?

QUESTION 3 / HOW IMPORTANT IS SECURITY TO YOU ?

• Describe the care you take with my data and systems

- Are formal security policies in place?

– Is strong authentication used?

– What physical security measures are in place?

QUESTION 4 / HOW DO YOU GUARANTEE NETWORK PERFORMANCE?

• Describe the network performance I can expect ?

– What types of QOS are available?

– What if I want to upgrade bandwidth?

– Is your core network scalable?

QUESTION 5 / HOW SCALABLE & FLEXIBLE IS YOUR NETWORK?

• Describe how your network can change as our needs change?

– Do you have a cloud strategy?

– Can I host applications in your data centres?

– What other services do you provide?

QUESTION 6 / WHAT CONNECTIVITY OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

• Describe how my locations will connect to the core network?

– Do you have multiple access providers?

– What is the range of bandwidth options?

– Is network coverage confined to UK only?

QUESTION 7 / DO YOU HAVE 24/7 AUTOMATED MONITORING TOOLS ?

• Describe the tools used to monitor the network?

– Which tools and vendors are used and for what purpose?

– What types of reports are available?

– What percentage of faults are fixed without us knowing?

QUESTION 8 / WHAT SELF SERVICE OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

• Describe what ‘self-service’ options are available to me?

– Is there a customer portal I can use?

– Can I request ports online via the portal?

– How can I interact with the support team?

QUESTION 9 / WHAT IS YOUR COMMITMENT TO SERVICE AND BEST PRACTICE?

• What demonstrates that you follow best practice methodologies?

– What formal certifications and training do you have?

– Are procedures documented for me?

– How much have you invested in the systems and networks?

QUESTION 10 / WHAT LEVEL OF SUPPORT DO YOU OFFER?

• How pro-active are you in detecting and rectifying faults?

– Do you have your own 24/7 network operations centre ?

– Is the NOC staffed 24/7?

– Is the NOC in the UK ?

SUMMARY

• Not all networks are built or operated in the same way

• Due diligence is essential when choosing your service provider

• Track record, security, coverage, services, investment, roadmap... the list is a long one but one worth doing

STUART WILLIAMSON /

PRE-SALES CONSULTANT / NETWORK SERVICES

THANK YOU /