It cannot be overstated how important a robust, well-maintained and customizable network is for your organization. They are the unseen infrastructure that enables communication and facilitates growth. Every organization has unique goals, challenges and workflows. A one-size-fits-all approach to monitoring often falls short and leads to time and resources being wasted trying to adapt work habits to the solution instead of adapting the solution to how your team best works.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, a network map, dashboard, report, or other style of visualization is invaluable for IT pros. While network admins may live deep in the weeds, their bosses and other company execs prefer a high-level view that presents the big story.

There is no question that wireless networks are taking over. Offices may still have Ethernet cables to each cubicle, but they usually go unused. Wi-Fi is the new LAN. So many devices, tablets, smartphones and even some laptop-type devices, are now wireless only. Today, Wi-Fi is often the primary way end users connect. “While a wired Ethernet connection is generally faster and more reliable, it forces users to be tethered to their desks.

Virtualization is everywhere. We think of virtualization as beginning with PC-based servers then moving onto Linux boxes. But the origins are very different, going all the way back to 1968, when IBM invented virtualization with the release of the IBM System/360 Model 67 mainframe. We all know where it has gone since. PCs, storage and even networks are virtualized. Nowadays, enterprises and SMBs have a wealth of virtual devices and services they must manage and secure, with servers still leading the way.