#USA #Network Automation #Lafayette #Enterprise Management #NSoT Strategies

New Insights into Network Source of Truth (NSoT) Strategies

Enterprise Management Associates (EMA), a renowned IT research and consulting firm, has published a new report titled "The Network Source of Truth: How Engineering Teams Establish and Use These Critical Tools." This research is crucial as the demand for effective network operations rises alongside the accelerated adoption of automation technologies.

In today’s tech landscape, IT organizations are continuously striving to enhance their network operations. The emergence of NSoT strategies is becoming pivotal for teams aiming to optimize their network infrastructure. According to Shamus McGillicuddy, Vice President of Research for Network Infrastructure and Operations at EMA, operations data for networks are increasingly scattered across various platforms, including spreadsheets and wikis. This lack of centralized data not only complicates network management but also creates ambiguity regarding the authority and accuracy of the information.

As organizations work to optimize their network operations and improve automation processes, many are realizing they have a significant data problem. The resolution? Implementing a solid NSoT strategy that consolidates this essential information into a singular authoritative source.

Rising Adoption of NSoT Solutions

EMA’s earlier study, "Enterprise Network Automation: Emerging From the Dark Ages and Reaching Toward NetDevOps," found that around 80% of network automation teams have already embraced some NSoT solution. These centralized tools enable network teams to efficiently manage their operations and to allow automation tools to reference this data programmatically when interacting with or modifying network settings.

Despite the evident momentum towards NSoT adoption, EMA's findings indicate that many enterprises are still in the nascent stages of implementing these strategies. Some organizations are content to leverage open-source tools combined with internal personnel who possess a blend of networking and software development skills to support them. However, others are actively seeking vendor solutions that offer enhanced reliability and quicker deployment, illustrating a strategic decision point for network teams.

During this critical juncture, EMA conducted comprehensive interviews with 17 IT professionals who are intricately involved in the implementation and maintenance of NSoT solutions. The report elaborates on several key aspects pertaining to this emerging toolset:

• - Defining NSoT: The primary goal is to establish a centralized and trustworthy repository of operational data.
• - Adoption Reasons: The growing complexity of network environments necessitates these authoritative data sources.
• - Implementation: It discusses how organizations can effectively establish and utilize NSoT tools.
• - Challenges: Identifies barriers hindering progress in NSoT maturity.

The findings culminate in a series of actionable recommendations designed to assist organizations in overcoming these challenges and accelerating their NSoT initiatives. This study demonstrates the importance of NSoT tools as a fundamental component for modern network management. Furthermore, EMA is sponsoring a free webinar on December 16, offering participants an opportunity to delve deeper into these findings.

Founded in 1996, EMA has a longstanding commitment to providing valuable insights into evolving technology trends, helping IT professionals make informed decisions.

For more details on this groundbreaking research and how to better strategize your network operations, visit EMA’s website.