Part of owning a client network—taking full responsibility for it—is providing strategic guidance, guidance that makes sure the network is evolving over time to continually meet the client’s needs and goals.
But just telling a client they need a new switch or firewall typically doesn’t cut it. You might know they need it but without context, all the business hears is that you’re trying to sell them new gear.
You need to show your client why they need new or different gear, and how the upgrade is necessary for their business.
That’s where Auvik comes in.
First, Auvik helps you identify network devices that are no longer fit for purpose
With Auvik’s real-time network map and inventory, you have constant visibility into device health and network performance.
Crystal Sharpe at Next I.T. says Auvik has been invaluable:
You get a plethora of really essential network information. We’ve been able to pinpoint bandwidth hogs, dead or dying ports on switches, and uncover devices we never even knew existed.
Auvik also alerts you to spikes in network device utilization, high bandwidth, and more. These alerts can point to a device that needs replacing.
Since the network typically supports your client’s entire business, it’s risky to wait until a network device crashes to replace it. Downtime is extremely costly—and it doesn’t inspire client confidence.
Gareth Johns at Business Computer Solutions (BCS) admits that before Auvik, his team was often responding after the fact:
Generally, most of the network gear gets left alone because it’s working—until the thing stops and then we deal with it in a very reactive, not very managed service provider-y way.
By using Auvik to monitor infrastructure and automatically maintain a device inventory, MSPs can evolve client networks proactively instead of reactively.
Next, Auvik gives you the business case to evolve the client network
Donni Ulgade at Cadan Technologies is one of many partners who use Auvik to explain to clients why they should invest money to keep network infrastructure up to date:
Network devices are typically pretty solid. But they still need to be replaced, they need firmware updates, monitoring. So that’s probably the biggest Auvik value-add—you can see the asset inventory and leverage that on sales calls: ‘It looks like your switches are 5 years old. It’s time to replace them.’
Auvik also allows you to anticipate changes well in advance of the client actually needing them. This means the client can work expenses into their budget for future quarters, rather than being hit with a surprise outlay when a device fails.
Gareth Johns at BCS continues:
Auvik is the evidence to be able to sell the business benefit. You can tell the customer, ‘Can you put us in a thousand bucks to replace that switch next year?’ Not just ‘your switch is old,’ but, ‘Here’s some evidence of the bandwidth spikes that are now limiting your ability to be able to use that network.’
And what happens when you proactively ensure client networks are up to date and fit for purpose? You own that network and that client.
The post Auvik Use Case #16: Making the Business Case for Evolving a Client Network appeared first on Auvik Networks.