Editor Profile - Tim O’Neill is an independent technology consultant. He has over 30 years experience working in the WAN, Analog, ISDN, ATM and LAN test market. Tim has worked with companies like Navtel, Network General, Ganymede and ClearSight Networks and is now helping companies get lab recognition and technology verification. Tim is also the Chief Contributing Editor for LoveMyTool.com, a website designed to help network managers gain access to valuable information and real solution stories from other customers. Tim is a patent holding, published and degreed engineer, who has seen this technology grow from Teletype (current loop) data analysis to today’s 10 Gigabit LAN’s focused on business applications with heavy compliance demands. Tim can be reached at oldcommguy (at) bellsouth (dot) net.
To our LoveMyTool readers I wish you all the very best of the New Year and great success in 2009.
The year 2008 has been a very challenging year for all of us and yet the same for many as before, especially for those who gave it all to protect us or to inspire us.
We have witnessed an historical election and seen the United States of America face some very difficult challenges that will certainly carry over into the New Year! We saw gas shortages and prices range from near $6.00 a gallon and now it is at $1.49. We have overcome many things in our past and if we do not panic, keep our focus and join together we will succeed and move into 2010 with renewed vigor and more success.
Remember the U.S.A. was founded on the motto “In God we Trust” and we will overcome any challenge that is thrown before us. We must hold the 535 that have control over our future accountable for mistakes and let them know what we think otherwise they believe they are perfect!
In 2008 we have seen some new companies emerging like Xangati and ExtraHop with new and innovative ideas to help network managers and we have seen new and innovative products from Network Critical’s managed access technology and filterable taps to Anue Systems' new and innovative GUI based tool aggregator. The standards like NetScout and Network Instruments continue to bring innovations to the market.
The exciting thing to me is that every time we think we have the perfect solution for analysis and monitoring, someone like Xangati or ExtraHop comes along and shows us that we are a long way from perfect solutions.
The world of compliance and security is slowly getting under control and almost every network manager is aware of their responsibilities in protecting their data while meeting the many different compliance criteria.
My Message for 2009 - The biggest and most lingering concern I have is that upper corporate management still does not include the Network Teams into their success strategies and planning. Usually, only after the fact or when a strategy fails!
FACT – Today’s networks are the backbone of corporate success and upper management needs to recognize this as a FACT and include the Network Management into their strategies and planning before implementation of new plans.
FACT - If the network goes down or even worst has significant deficiencies or is over loaded the total efficiency and success of the company is effected by the viability of the network and failure rests on the vulnerability of the network. A failure can be very expensive!
Wake up Management, if the network goes down you cannot communicate internally or externally, you cannot quote, take orders, order parts, invoice, etc and every hour lost is REAL money being left on the table and gives new opportunities to your competitors. The network like the corporate building is an essential element of success.
This year Niksun faced this exact problem when the corporate building had a fire. Within minutes they had no network, no ability to code, contact customers or employees, invoice, take orders, ship, pay, no website and many other essential network based business elements were gone.
If you do not believe that losing your network is an issue, just cut the power to your network and see the response ... it will be frightening.
The Niksun Team responded and within a day they had some basic functionality but it took them several weeks to be back to near previous business levels.
They did a great job but this is a real world example – Take heed upper management!
The Network is a very real and tangible part of your business and your success plan, so include your Network Managers in your success planning so they can provide you with a viable, secure and successful network!
I look forward to the exciting things that 2009 will bring us and I hope that everyone has a very successful 2009!
Thank you for visiting LoveMyTool, come back often and I look forward to hearing from you about what you want us to write about.
Remember, If you want to write a technical article or just to rant about something technical, just do it and send to us for posting.
My Best to All and Great Success with Less Stress in 2009.
Oldcommguy™ Tim O’Neill
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