Introducing Softcat’s new Wired Network Assessment

In today's fast-paced digital landscape, ensuring the optimal performance and security of your wired network is paramount. As Chief Technologist for Networking and Connectivity at Softcat, I am thrilled to announce the launch of our new Wired Network Assessment – a powerful service designed to deliver in-depth insights to your network infrastructure. 

We’ve partnered with leaders in the field, Technimove, who have over 25 years of experience in this area. We combine our Architecture and Professional services with their expertise to provide a detailed analysis of your wired network. Together, we help you understand your network’s current state, identify areas for improvement and provide insights to allow you to make informed decisions about future network developments.  

Why wired network assessments matter 

Wired networks are the backbone of the organisation, allowing users and devices to access critical applications and services that drive day-to-day operations. However, the complexity of these networks, with their myriad of devices, configurations and connections, often makes it challenging to maintain network health, optimised performance and network security. This is where our Wired Network Assessment comes into play.   

A thorough analysis of your network environment will allow us to: 

• map out your network’s composition,  

• pinpoint issues and misconfigurations, identify risks and bottlenecks 

• offer tailored, actionable recommendations to enhance your network's performance, security and reliability. 

Where can this assessment add value? 

Our Wired Network Assessment has a wide range of use cases, making it a valuable service for organisations across many industries.  

Network upgrades and refreshes: it's crucial to understand the current state of your network before embarking on significant network upgrades or refreshes. Our assessment provides a detailed inventory of your hardware and software, along with insights into network topology, configuration and device lifecycle. This helps you plan, design and execute upgrades with confidence, minimising disruptions and ensuring a smooth transition. 

Performance optimisation: persistent network performance issues can hinder productivity and impact user experience. Our assessment identifies bottlenecks and areas for improvement, allowing you to optimise network performance and deliver a seamless experience to your users. 

Security enhancements: with the increasing threat landscape, network security is more important than ever. Our assessment reviews your network's security posture, identifies vulnerabilities and recommends measures to strengthen your defences. This proactive approach helps you safeguard your network against potential threats. 

Health check: keeping a check on your network’s current state is vital to effectively maintain it. Our assessment conducts a thorough examination of your network's performance, security and configuration, ensuring that everything is functioning optimally. 

Compliance and best practices: ensuring compliance with industry standards and best practices is essential for maintaining a robust network. Our assessment evaluates your network's alignment with best practice, providing recommendations to address any gaps and enhance overall compliance. 

Benefits and outcomes 

The Wired Network Assessment offers numerous benefits for your organisation: 

• Improved network visibility: gain a clear understanding of your network's current state, including topology, configuration and device lifecycle. This visibility empowers you to make informed decisions and plan for future network investments. 

• Enhanced performance and reliability: optimise performance and ensure reliable connectivity through proactively identifying and addressing network issues, leading to improved productivity and user satisfaction. 

• Strengthened security: proactively identify and mitigate security vulnerabilities, reducing the risk of cyber threats and ensuring the protection of sensitive data. 

• Cost savings: avoid costly downtime and disruptions by addressing network issues before they escalate. Budget for future network investments accurately, preventing potentially disruptive events. 

• Strategic planning: develop a strategic network plan that aligns with your business goals. We can turn your plans into a reality through our Architecture Services. 

With a comprehensive analysis and actionable recommendations, we empower you to unlock the full potential of your network, plan effectively for the future and reduce risk.  

Tailored to your organisation, this may be a point-in-time assessment, or the start of network transformation. At Softcat, we have the skills to assess, design, procure, implement, support and manage networks.   

Ready to take your network to the next level? 

Let’s explore how this service can help you maximise performance, reduce risk and prepare for what’s next. Contact your Account Manager or our sales team to find out more and schedule your Wired Network Assessment.