IBM launches professional services for Cisco networks

IBM has significantly expanded its Cisco-focused professional services with new support and implementation options aimed at helping customers build more tightly integrated, better performing networks.

IBM’s Technology Lifecycle Services (TLS) group has added support for Cisco’s software defined networking and SD-WAN packages and unveiled IBM Network Health Check for Cisco networking.

Broadly speaking, IBM’s new TLS offerings aim to optimize infrastructure, reduce the time spent on hardware support, and provide insight into what needs attention in the network infrastructure. The services cover various phases of the product lifecycle, including deployment, preparation, installation, configuration, support, repairs, firmware updates, software updates, monitoring, automation, security, performance, refresh planning, migration, and disposal, IBM says.

Network Health Check for Cisco

The Network Health Check service monitors availability, performance and event data, as well as configuration settings, and it’s designed to preemptively identify network problems and provide recommendations to increase network stability and reduce downtime, according to IBM.

“With more companies adopting AI, and increased data flowing across private clouds, it’s more important than ever for clients’ networks to be ready for today’s demands,” said Jamie Thomas, general manager of TLS and IBM Enterprise Security. “The new Network Health Check is a remote assessment service that provides a personalized, flexible, and comprehensive report with technical advice and status of network security, health, and performance for clients.”

“This service provides recommendations from a team of experts, which IBM clients have not had access to before, and enables them to ensure their network is performing at the highest level needed in this AI dominated era,” Thomas added.