THE EVOLVING NETWORK MANAGER ROLE IN 2024: STRATEGIC, CRITICAL THINKING THAT’S UNIQUE TO HUMANS

February 2024 | TAGS: NETWORK MANAGEMENT, NETWORK OPERATIONS CENTER, NOC

Networks, the backbone of our digital lives, have never been more critical to the enterprise's bottom line. Employees and customers alike expect constant, flawless connectivity, while at the same time, the network itself grows more complex and labyrinth-like.

If you’re a network manager, it may feel as if you’re working inside a snow globe that’s being energetically shaken. Business and technology trends are converging in ways that fundamentally change the way network management has been done traditionally. In this world, you contribute value through strategy, innovation, and vendor relationship optimization. From a career growth standpoint, this shift is fantastic. But it can also be disorienting.

And let’s be clear. This “shaken snow globe turbulence” is experienced across all senior network roles: engineer, architect, and analyst. For the sake of simplicity, we’re using the term “network manager” to reference all these functions.

Ok, let’s take a tour of the evolving IT environment landscape and the impacts on network managers.

A little bit on edge about edge computing?

Most enterprise network managers these days are savvy about security management across even the most sprawling of networks; however, managing vulnerabilities specific to edge devices and connections presents unique challenges and responsibilities. Because edge computing involves processing data closer to where it is generated — rather than relying solely on a central data center or cloud — network managers are adapting to a more distributed and complex network environment. As endpoints multiply, the focus on security and performance at the edge demands tighter collaboration with various IT teams and a deeper understanding of IoT technologies, 5G networks, and new protocols. For many in network management, there’s a knowledge gap to be addressed — which often means “learning as you go”. This can be slightly terrifying when the security of your network hangs in the balance. Then again, fear of failure is potent motivation to be a good student.

AI and Machine Learning: heavy lifters that present their own challenges — and a meaningful pivot.

Fortunately, Network Managers are learning to lean on two rapidly evolving helpers. AI and Machine Learning crucially provide intelligent, proactive, and efficient network management — significantly improving performance and security (see above, edge computing). As they do so, they are forcing network managers to transition from being the primary troubleshooters who intervene when technology fails, to a role where they oversee and trust AI/ML systems to manage many aspects of network performance and operations — including security and compliance. This isn’t the most natural evolution for two good reasons: 1) it is nearly the opposite of the traditional network manager role; 2) concerns about job security. Even the most confident network manager might have a panicky moment or five as the realization hits that AI/ML systems are monitoring network traffic, analyzing patterns, assessing threats, and optimizing network operations with greater efficiency and fewer errors than manual management.

But here, again, opportunity swirls within the turbulence. Embracing AI and ML allows network managers to pivot into a role where they provide strategic oversight and make nuanced, contextual decisions informed by organizational objectives and a broader range of factors than AI/ML can currently handle — high-value skills within any enterprise.

Combining the strengths of both AI/ML and human intelligence leads to more effective and strategic network management. Certainly, some experimentation and adjusting are required to find the right calibration of leaning on personal experience versus AI/ML data-driven insights – especially when recommendations from “the bots” contradict a seasoned network manager’s initial assumptions. Once ease with this duality is mastered, there’s an abundance of upside from a career development standpoint.

So, while it might sting a bit when with advanced AI/ML human error is perceived as the weak link (where before network managers saved the day when the technology got glitchy) -- there are far bigger capes to wear.

It’s a brave new world, indeed.

But wait, there’s more! A NaaS revolution is on the doorstep.

Embrace of NaaS is in its early days; however, we are already experiencing how much network management time is freed up with a consumption model that outsources to the service provider day-to-day operational tasks, transformation, or tech refresh projects such as hardware upgrades and setup, and basic network configuration and maintenance. Network managers with their eyes on the prize are using some of this free time to rewrite their job descriptions to meet CIO expectations of evolved strategic, analytical, and leadership skills. These network managers are recognized as integral to digital transformation strategies as they design network architectures aligned with business goals and manage vendor relationships to ensure the enterprise gets the best value from its technology investment.

In fact, an emerging trend is for the network manager to be busier than ever once his or her enterprise has adopted a NaaS model. To start with, it is often the case that some responsibility for security and compliance remains with the enterprise, versus being fully handled by the NaaS provider. Further, senior management is tasking network managers with assessing innovative and emerging technologies to support new business models. As the role becomes more strategic, the most conscientious network manager takes pains to lead their team through this transition, ensuring that their skills are up-to-date and aligned with the new demands of the NaaS model. And, in their free time, the most ambitious network managers are seeking deeper collaboration with IT and business units to deliver a NaaS solution that excels at supporting business processes and strategic objectives.

Busy is good, right?

Enterprises are motivated to support network managers in their professional evolution.

It makes all the sense in the world for enterprises to invest vigorously in the professional growth of their network managers for the simple reason that talent retention, customer loyalty, the capacity to innovate, and competitive advantage increasingly are tied to the health and vibrancy of the digital network.

Here are some examples of how this support is taking shape:

• Customized training programs specific to network automation tools. The goal is to help the network manager become comfortable letting the AI/ML “run the show” to achieve optimal network performance and efficiency. This frees up bandwidth so the network manager can step in where human intervention is required: solving complex problems that are still beyond the capabilities of AI/ML and providing strategic oversight informed by organizational objectives, and nuanced, contextual decision-making.




• Cross-team training specific to processes and tools in other IT domains. The goal is to support network managers as they collaborate more closely with other parts of the IT organization, understanding their workflows and integrating them into network operations.




• Data Science training with the goal of ensuring network managers have the essential skills for working with advanced algorithms, data structures, and data models, which are critical components of a network automation strategy. Evolving these skills will also enhance the ability of network managers to work more closely with IT teams specializing in AI and data science.




• Training in change management and complex problem solving with the goal of providing network managers with a more expansive tool kit to manage and thrive within the dynamic, ever-changing, and multifaceted IT landscape.

What is quickly being recognized is that network managers who are well-versed in the latest technologies, effective collaborators, and complex problem solvers are in a unique position to identify and deploy new technologies to improve processes, enhance customer experiences, and create new business models.

Grab your sunglasses!

The future does indeed look bright for ambitious, accomplished network managers. Those most comfortable embracing the evolving nature of the role can look forward to dynamic, rewarding career paths with competitive salaries and benefits as well as a plethora of opportunities for international career growth and collaboration. Additionally, the breadth of skills required for modern network management opens paths to senior IT roles, like CTO or CIO.

Put simply, if you’re a network manager it’s wise to make peace with the turbulence, because it’s your time to shine.

A lesson learned: Trust employees at all levels to ”Initiate, Innovate, and Inspire.”

At the heart of this issue of Microland Monday is an exploration of all the things automation can do as well as some very critical things that it can’t. What’s clear is a whole host of things fall into that second category. We posit that’s because the human spirit encouraged to be it all can be is absolutely indomitable.

Which is why our founder, Pradeep Kar, has for decades hired, mentored, and set an example for ”initiating, innovating, and inspiring groundbreaking ideas that will shape the future.” Microlanders thrive in an environment where all are encouraged to unleash their full potential, find joy in their work, build successful careers, and steer Microland towards excellence”.

Freedom to innovate is a big deal at Microland. As is the dedication to creating an inclusive, supportive, and inspiring workplace for all 4,500+ Microlanders around the world.

So we weren’t entirely caught off guard when Microland was certified as a Great Workplace by Great Place To Work® India for the second year in a row. The accolade is particularly gratifying because Great Place to Work® Certification™ is the only recognition based 100% on what employees' report about their workplace experience.

We know our clients and partners are so much better served because Microland is consistently ranked as an excellent employer. We hear it time and time again: Microlanders and their heartfelt dedication to our clients is our secret competitive advantage.

And that’s a superpower that AI just cannot replace.

Press Release link for reference

What’s inspiring us right now.

Harish M N, our Senior Solution Director, Networking & Cyber, is a technology leader with over 20 years of experience. Harish provides strategic direction to clients as they leverage IT infrastructure to deliver business outcomes.

I am inspired by technologists’ enduring enthusiasm for challenging the status quo — a willingness to shoot for the moon that has no use for the haven of incrementalism. This spirit drove orders of magnitude of change in the cloud space and is now fueling the path to delivering cloud-like agility in networks and sending the digital revolution into hyperdrive.

To this end, I hit the jackpot career-wise: my decade-plus role as a network manager for one of Microland’s largest accounts has provided a master class in opening one’s mind to innovative thinking.

Here’s just one example: In the case of automation, we challenged conventional wisdom and assumed that cycle times for incident, change, and service requests could be reduced by 10x. This was only possible because we were open to looking beyond point automation and willing to reconsider how workflows are constructed and tools deployed. Put simply, we asked ourselves, “What if in the realm of network management, we reversed the role of machine helping human?”

Historically machines have been leveraged to augment human performance. This paradigm is being reversed as technology assumes a lead role in resolving issues and we leverage human expertise to expand the capacity and precision of the technology. This is not only a significant shift in terms of technology and business processes but also a shift in mindset and culture for customers and system integrators alike.

As humans supporting the machines in becoming “technologists” we need to be well-versed in advancements with observability tools, AI/ML (automate decision-making and optimize network performance), DevOps (continuous delivery and automation), and Generative AI. Building a platform that stitches together each of these independent tools and technologies to achieve self-healing networks (without human intervention) is the worthiest of goals.

Of course, this invigorating challenge has resulted in a few sleepless nights — and no doubt there are more to come — as we accurately apply this approach to carefully vetted business cases for a range of customers.

And do so without breaking what exists today!

I’ve come to appreciate that the key to success will be investing in skills development and redirecting human talent from a “fixer” mentality to an “executive innovator” mentality as the network management role evolves from linking boxes to systems and addressing technology glitches to imagining all that is possible in honor of supporting business strategy.

An inspiring challenge for sure that makes each day at Microland an adventure in innovation.

You heard it here, first.

Microland has been recognized as a Leader and Star Performer in the PEAK Matrix Assessment 2023 for Network Transformation and Managed Services - System Integrators (SIs)

We couldn’t be more thrilled with this designation because Everest Group evaluated System Integrators (SIs) across a daunting range of criteria including adoption rate, maturity of vision and portfolio mix, scope of services, investment in innovation, partnership strategies, Go-to-Market initiatives, joint solution development, and global delivery footprint.

Everest Group cited Next-Gen Networking Solutions, Customer Centricity, and Investments in Next-Gen Technologies as core Microland strengths.

• Next-Gen Networking Solutions: Enterprises looking to bolster their capabilities through AI-led solutions for Wi-Fi 6, Network Automation, and Private 5G will find Microland an ideal fit due to its accelerated investments to improve deployments in these areas.




• Customer Centricity: Microland offers a high degree of flexibility and transparency in solution design and pricing, which will benefit enterprises looking for cost-effective solutions for network transformation particularly in a challenging economic environment.




• Investments in Next-Gen Technologies: Microland has accelerated investments in next-generation technologies including SD-WAN, private 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and network automation, to reduce enterprises' transformation timeline and improve internal efficiency and end-customer experience via improved operational hygiene and leveraging automated platforms.

"It is becoming more and more important for enterprises to implement comprehensive network automation setups in their IT frameworks in order to improve efficiency and competitiveness while reducing costs. Microland is including pricing flexibility and transparency in its offerings, allowing customers to more easily reduce TCO. This has contributed to Microland's positioning as a Leader and Star Performer on Everest Group's Network Transformation and Managed Services PEAK Matrix® Assessment – System Integrators (SIs) 2023." says Titus M, Practice Director at Everest Group.