在购买下一个网络之前需要考虑的6个问题

Heitor Faroni

2022年9月6日

Organisations must think holistically about their network needs when considering upgrades or infrastructure purchases.

I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t buy a car without looking at other options and weighing the pros and cons first―would you? So, why should shopping for a network vendor be any different?

We know that network infrastructure is a substantial and key investment for any organisation, that means 做作业是必须的. Arming yourself with knowledge and asking the right questions ensures you have the tools you need to make the best decision for your organisation.

与汽车制造商一样, all network infrastructure vendors are not created equal and it’s important to look past clever marketing to get to the facts.

To help you select the vendor that meets your next network equipment purchase or upgrade requirements, 以下是你可以思考的六个问题:

1. Does the vendor have a comprehensive and integrated portfolio that covers both your LAN and WLAN needs (including indoor and outdoor equipment)?

Beware of vendors who have built their portfolio through acquisitions with no clear path for product evolution or integrated management.

2. 卖主有单人间吗, unified management system to manage both the LAN and WLAN equipment including unified policy management, 访客访问/BYOD和物联网管理, analytics, 布料供应?

Multiple management systems can add considerable costs in provisioning and maintaining your network. Avoid vendors that do not offer a single pane of glass to manage the entire network or that require multiple servers to deliver all the functionalities mentioned above.

3. Does the vendor offer cloud-based or on premises network management options with identical features?

You shouldn’t have to compromise on features just because you want to manage your network in the cloud.

4. Does the vendor offer flexible purchasing options to address your purchasing preferences?

You need to be able to purchase equipment and software in a way that works for your organisation, whether you’re buying the equipment outright or through a subscription model.

5. Does the vendor have a good track record with their existing customers?

客户评论很重要. Check how potential vendors stack up against the competition.

6. And of course, you also need to consider price, which brings us to the final question—这算得通吗?

在考虑刷新网络的成本时, it’s crucial to take a holistic look beyond the price points of switches and access points. Consider the typical five-to-seven-year lifespan of the network equipment and take a closer look at both the hard costs such as hardware, maintenance, 许可和支持, and the soft costs such as network downtimes and operational efficiency.

除了这些明显的成本, there are many other factors affecting your network’s Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) including interoperability with existing products and management systems, 采购模式和市场不稳定性.

It’s also important to note that more expensive doesn’t always mean better quality or fit. Get to the bottom of what you’re paying for and make sure the value is there.

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Need help zeroing in on a cost-effective solution that’s right for you? 火狐体育手机的网络专家 现在开始或探索更多 here.