In 2016, the European Union (EU) established the Network and Information Security (NIS) directive as its first comprehensive cybersecurity directive. Now, the EU is updating the directive in response to evolving cybersecurity challenges. Let’s break down NIS2 and discuss how SolarWinds solutions can help your organization improve its security incident-handling capabilities.

IoT Device Lifecycle Management might sound like a mouthful, but it’s the secret sauce behind keeping the ever-growing world of connected devices running smoothly. From smart thermostats to industrial sensors, IoT devices are transforming how we live and work. But managing them is no small feat — especially with the number of global IoT connections expected to more than double from 15.9 billion in 2023 to over 32.1 billion by 2030 (Statista, 2023).

Hardware refresh cycles might not sound that glamorous, but they’re the secret weapon behind an efficient, secure, and productive IT environment. In a world where technology fuels every click and keystroke, keeping your hardware updated is a business essential. Why? Because outdated devices are productivity killers. In fact, a 2023 study found that employees spend up to 20% of their time wrestling with tech issues instead of doing their jobs. And it’s not just about lost time.

While ITOps and CloudOps teams manage distinct environments, they can both struggle to achieve the deep visibility required to maintain system performance. Let’s examine the barriers to visibility and how a unified observability solution can provide the insight teams need to keep operations running smoothly.

An asset criticality assessment is an essential part of optimizing asset management strategies. By identifying which assets have the most significant impact on business operations, companies can allocate resources more efficiently, minimize downtime, and reduce costs. With tools like Asset Infinity, this process becomes streamlined, allowing businesses to conduct effective assessments that provide actionable insights into the health and importance of their assets.

Asset disposition, also known as asset disposal, is the process of removing or discarding assets that are no longer of use to an organization. This process is an essential component of the asset management lifecycle, as it helps organizations free up space, reduce maintenance costs, and avoid the risks associated with holding onto obsolete or underperforming assets. Proper asset disposition ensures that an organization can maximize the value of its assets while minimizing potential liabilities.

No piece of hardware lasts forever. On the contrary, all hardware eventually deteriorates. That’s why it’s crucial to understand and manage each stage an asset goes through, from procurement to disposal. This journey is called the hardware lifecycle, and its management is known as Hardware Lifecycle Management (HLM).

It's easy to get caught up in the latest software trends and forget about the physical components that make it all possible. Hardware—the tangible parts of our devices—forms the foundation of all computing systems. Without it, our favorite apps and programs would have nowhere to run. But what exactly is hardware? Do we have a definitive hardware definition? And how important is it?

Service Level Agreement (SLA) is a crucial component of managing expectations between service providers and their customers. Whether you’re running a customer support team or negotiating with a vendor, understanding and implementing SLAs is essential for maintaining accountability, measuring performance, and ensuring satisfaction. Let’s dive into what SLAs are, why they are critical for customer service and support teams, and how customers use them to evaluate potential vendors or providers.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are essential tools for any organization aiming to measure success, drive growth, and ensure strategic alignment. Whether you're a team leader, business owner, or manager, understanding KPIs is vital for improving performance across employees, teams, and the entire organization. In this blog, we’ll define KPIs, explain their importance, and explore how they can be leveraged to improve organizational performance.