More flexibility, less complexity

Are traditional IT models still adequate? “As a service” models provide a flexible and economical solution in an era where agility and cost transparency become more and more important for businesses. In this interview, Katharina Shirzad-Leitner, Product Manager and Thomas Müllner, Technology Manager explain the essential differences to conventional IT models, and they point out how businesses can benefit from flexible solutions such as Network as a Service (NaaS).

1. What are the essential differences between conventional IT models and as a “service” model?

Thomas Müllner: “As a service” models offer high agility, flexible scalability and a precise cost structure. The models allow businesses to react quickly to changes in the market, to implement innovations faster and to organize IT operations more efficiently. These models provide a low-threshold access to modern technologies specifically for companies that don’t have comprehensive IT resources at their command.

2. How will “as a service” models influence the total operating costs of a business?

Katharina Shirzad-Leitner: “As a service” models alter the cost structure of a business substantially. Companies pay based on usage and flexibly, rather than investing in hardware and software licenses. This permits a significantly better calculability of IT expenses, and it reduces the initial hurdles for new technologies.

Another large advantage is the relief of the internal IT. Maintenance, update and operation are the provider’s responsibility and IT teams can focus on those issues that create genuine added value: innovation, digitalization, and new services. This proves to be of great leverage especially for fast-growing businesses.

These models also bring clear cost advantages regarding scalability. Capacities can be adjusted as needed without long-term commitments or oversized investments upfront. This leads to more agility and efficiency especially in dynamic markets.

Overall, “as a service” models allow a modern IT landscape that can be operated in an economical way whilst having flexibility and innovation capabilities at the same time.

4. Which advantages does NaaS offer, especially during times of economic uncertainties?

KSL: Every Euro counts during times of economic uncertainties, and it is especially under these conditions that an on-premises Network as a Service (NaaS) demonstrates what it can achieve. Businesses rely on a flexible subscription model instead of expensive one-off costs for hardware and infrastructure: modern network technology vs. monthly plannable costs. Thus, the budget remains lucid, the liquidity is preserved, and the investment risk is reduced.

The special aspect: the infrastructure stays in the company, in other words on-premises, whilst operation, maintenance and updates are taken over by the provider. This significantly relieves the IT department and ensures that the network is always kept up to date. At the same time, sensitive information remains there, where it belongs: in-house. This is a real advantage regarding data protection and compliance.

To put it briefly: on-premises NaaS is a modern, economically clever solution for businesses that require stability, but that want to remain agile all the same.

We have designed the service part in a flexible manner as well so that it ranges from a 8x5xNBD reactive SLA all the way to a proactive Managed Service with 24x7x4. With NTS Inventory, the component overview is always present and depending on the level chosen, configuration backup, vulnerability as well as the compliance module are part of the package. By this, we provide a toolset to satisfy regulatory requirements as well.

6. How does security appear in a NaaS, and which additional measures does NTS offer?

TM: Due to the fact that the network hardware is situated on site, companies retain complete physical control. Unlike with pure Cloud NaaS models, access to network components can be locally restricted and monitored. Sensitive information must not leave the company network. This is especially beneficial in data-sensitive sectors (e.g. health care, public authorities) where compliance demands play an essential role.

The 802.1x option secures access to the network for end devices and with their expertise, NTS offers a respective service to roll out this essential security function.

With the Vulnerability module, customers receive a quick overview of open CVEs on their devices. A dashboard with KPIs provides to the user clear displays for vulnerabilities per severity or top vulnerabilities by CVSS score, just to name a few. A display of trends shows the chronological sequence of the devices that are affected by the vulnerabilities. This can be used as proof for the risk management in their network towards third parties and it allows an accurate patching of affected components.

According to Gartner, the deployment of (NaaS) will expand significantly in the coming years: whilst less than 2% of all companies used NaaS locally in 2023, this share will probably increase to 15% by the end of 2028. This emphasizes the growing demand for flexible, subscription-based network models, in particular for subsidiaries, hybrid working environments and IoT scenarios. More and more businesses want to use their network infrastructure as agile and scalable as they already do today with Cloud services or software solutions. NaaS delivers exactly that: a dynamic, centrally controllable network model that adapts to the actual demand.