IT teams face growing pressure to ensure seamless, reliable connectivity while managing networks from edge to cloud. Adding communications and security solutions can complicate operations, and poor visibility or integration can lead to costly inefficiencies. With higher stakes and minimal room for error, maintaining secure, high-performing networks is more critical than ever.
However, a competitive and seamless network requires expertise, efficiency, and reliability. The complexities of modern networks make expertise – extending far beyond the initial network deployment – essential.
As digital transformation accelerates, several key trends are reshaping the enterprise landscape, making it difficult to reach network nirvana:
- The rising need for edge connectivity: With an increase in Internet of Things (IoT) devices and real-time data processing, bringing your network closer to the edge is essential. However, managing complex networks from the edge to the core to the cloud creates significant challenges in network security, latency, and scalability.
- Increasing cyber threats: Cybersecurity is a growing concern. With attacks becoming more frequent and sophisticated, obsolete “fortress-like” security measures you put in place a decade ago aren’t protecting you inside and out.
- Emerging technologies outpacing IT capabilities and systems: Limited IT capabilities and outdated systems are standing in the way of innovation and the delivery of critical services. Your network should be a driving force behind your mission – not a limitation.
- Shift to hybrid and multi-cloud environments: As businesses continue to move toward hybrid and multi-cloud environments, network management complexity increases. Ensuring seamless connectivity, security, communication, and performance across multiple environments requires advanced planning, visibility, and expertise that many in-house teams lack.
As these trends continue to make you rethink your network strategy, you’re likely facing a critical decision: Should you face digital transformation alone, or should you partner with a managed service provider (MSP)?
So You’re Thinking of Doing It Yourself (DIY)?
While the idea of a DIY approach may offer perceived cost savings and control, the reality often tells a different story. As networks—especially at the edge—become more complex you must consider:
- Do I have the right expertise in-house? True digital transformation requires specialized knowledge. Without this knowledge, you risk network misconfigurations, managing network vendors, and lacking the expertise to address complex issues. This often leads to costly disruptions and prolonged network downtime.
- Is my security posture vulnerable? As cyber threats grow in sophistication, securing your network inside and out becomes daunting. For example, secure access service edge (SASE) is a necessity for modern networks. However, implementing and managing a SASE solution demands expertise to secure distributed devices. Without specialized support, you leave yourself vulnerable, resulting in data breaches and compliance issues.
- Do I have the resources to focus on network operations? A successful network doesn’t end with a satisfactory deployment. Continuous monitoring, proactive management, and quick resolution of issues are crucial to maintaining network performance and reliability. Your internal team may be overwhelmed by the ongoing demands of network management, leading to inefficiencies and increased data risk.
Network Expertise Matters
Having the right resources, ensuring a strong security posture, and managing modern networks require expertise. Security, efficiency, and reliability are not just nice-to-haves—they are necessities for maintaining a distributed network ecosystem. A strategic partnership with an MSP can fill the gaps, providing the support required to maintain your network.
By partnering with an MSP, you can:
- Optimize IT costs. Managed services can reduce IT expenses by 25-45% while improving operational efficiency by 45-65%.
- Increase network reliability and reduce IT risk. Lower the potential for costly downtime by handing the management of your network to experts trained to keep things running optimally and securely.
- Leave network management to the experts, freeing up your internal IT resources to focus on your mission.
The question remains: Why wouldn’t you employ an MSP? They’re not taking over your team—MSPs provide a support system so your technology and network teams can focus on business-critical priorities.
What Makes Zayo Managed Services Different
While there are several options for managed service providers to help you deploy, manage, and maintain your edge networks, no two MSPs provide the same level of service. So how does Zayo’s unique approach to managed services benefit our customers?
Zayo’s approach to managed services is tailored to help businesses overcome these challenges with a strategic partnership. Here’s what you’ll notice when you work with Zayo Managed Services:
- A customer-first approach: Zayo works closely with organizations to design tailored network, security, and voice solutions that align with their goals and infrastructure needs.
- Highly qualified expert support: Zayo’s team holds extensive certifications, including CCIE, CWNE, JNCIP, NSE, AWS, and PMP.
- Flexible management models: Whether you need full-service management, co-managed, or full takeover solutions, Zayo offers the right level of support. “We cater the amount of co-management we provide,” shares Michael McKerley, SVP of Managed Services at Zayo.
- Proactive, AI-driven monitoring: With advanced analytics and automation, Zayo identifies and resolves issues before they impact operations. “We’re investing significantly in AIOps to automate responses across our customers’ networks,” McKerley explains.
- A partner at the forefront of network and technology evolution: Zayo finds ways to bring new technology forward to you in easy-to-use and easy-to-integrate ways as network demands evolve. We relentlessly vet vendors and technology providers and harness AI to run our services smarter for you and help you run your business smarter. “Our approach ensures we provide the best solutions without bias,” adds McKerley, ensuring businesses receive the right carrier and vendor technology for their needs.
- Services built on extensive expertise: Zayo Managed Services is built on extensive, long-standing partnerships with industry-leading vendors and established, specialized teams in edge and voice solutions to 6,000+ customers in more than 60 countries.
- Solutions as unique as your business: Unlike traditional “one-size-fits-all” solutions, Zayo builds network solutions with the right architecture, technology, security, and communications tailored to your needs. “Our vendor-agnostic approach ensures we’re not tied down to any specific manufacturer,” says McKerley, “We provide the best solutions without bias – a feat not commonly found among many MSPs.”
Here’s a closer look at how Zayo’s features compare to other managed service providers:
| Feature | Zayo Supports | Other Managed Service Providers |
| Design and deployment of network services | ✅ | ✅ |
| Onsite facility assessment (space, power, and cabling needs) | ✅ | ❌ |
| Customized network, voice, and security design | ✅ | ❌ |
| Implementation | ✅ | ⚠️ (often customer-managed) |
| Capacity optimization | ✅ | ✅ |
| Network management | ✅ | ✅ |
| 24x7x365 access to Service Assurance | ✅ | ❌ |
| Break/fix and adjustments | ✅ | ⚠️ (limited and varies by MSP) |
| AI-driven monitoring and troubleshooting | ✅ | ❌ |
| Proactive repairs and data built on client insight | ✅ | ⚠️ (limited and varies by MSP) |
| Advanced reporting via data usage, client and hardware insights, AI-driven analysis, and application tracking | ✅ | ❌ |
What Is It Like to Be a Zayo Managed Services Customer?
You’ve signed the dotted line, and it’s time to make sure you get the most out of your network. What’s next?
- Kick-off and design: First, we kick off every customer relationship by listening. Zayo’s solution engineers, project managers, and customer success teams collaborate to build a tailored network strategy. Kameron Coleman, Managed Services Program Manager at Zayo, notes, “Don’t try to be everything; let us support you.” We see ourselves as much more than just a provider to your organization – we’re a partner.
- Deployment and support: Customers gain dedicated service assurance teams that proactively manage potential disruptions, minimizing downtime. As Service Assurance Director Norman Bates says, “We build partnerships. This philosophy drives everything we do, ensuring proactive support is always there.”
- Ongoing optimization: 24/7 proactive monitoring and correlated insights ensure continuous network performance and security with tools like zInsights.
- Long-term partnership: Zayo becomes an extension of your team, offering ongoing improvements and strategic guidance.
Our Proof Lies in our Practice:
When a national carrier abruptly shut down its 3G network, Zayo stepped in to replace and deploy LTE-compatible solutions, restoring service without disruption. “This responsiveness defines Zayo,” says Adam Harvey, Senior Customer Success Manager.
In another case, a customer’s existing security solution failed to integrate with their network. Zayo’s team worked closely to identify and deploy a better alternative. “Zayo delivers solutions that work,” states Anthony DiLiegro, Senior Manager of Service Assurance.
Reaching Network Nirvana: Management as a Strategic Asset
As your organization continues to digitally transform, the need for effective network management will only grow. Advanced technologies like AI, machine learning, and real-time data analytics will play an increasingly important role in predicting and preventing network issues before they occur. For enterprises, the choice will be to partner with those who understand these technologies, but can implement them effectively in the network to create strategic assets that drive business growth.
It’s Time to Decide What’s Next for Your Network
The decision to manage your network in-house or partner with an MSP is not just about immediate cost reduction or control; it’s about ensuring long-term efficiency, security, and reliability. With Zayo’s deep expertise and proactive management approach, your network can evolve from a functional necessity into a powerful enabler of your business strategy.
Today, Zayo offers Managed Edge and Managed Communications as part of our managed services portfolio, with plans to expand our managed services offerings with Managed Connectivity and Security solutions in the near future.
Zayo’s Managed Edge portfolio of services includes Managed LAN, Managed SD-WAN, and Managed SASE. With Managed LAN, you can seamlessly deliver high-performance, secure, and scalable Internet connectivity across your organization with expert support. Managed SD-WAN optimizes your network architecture for peak performance and streamlined operations. Managed SASE unifies network and security functions for improved security and uninterrupted connectivity.
Our Managed Communications suite includes Zayo UC+, Zayo Voice, and Managed SIP Trunking. Zayo UC+ is a cloud-based UCaaS solution with RingCentral that offers video, chat, and fax in a single, easy-to-use platform. Zayo Voice is a cloud-based VoIP solution that seamlessly replaces aging phone systems. Using Zayo SIP Trunking, customers can connect to the global phone network.