Fiber Mapping Software: What Is It?
By Fred Koh - May 13, 2020Here at Graphical Networks, we often say that our fiber mapping software solution (netTerrain OSP) helps fiber technicians and managers get their jobs done faster, easier, and more successfully. What, exactly, is it? Fiber Mapping Software: What Is It? Fiber mapping software, such as netTerrain OSP, gives those managing or working on fiber the visibility…
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Need to Replace NetDoc for Cable Management?
By Fred Koh - May 11, 2020The other day, I was in a demo meeting with a prospective customer who informed me they had reached out because their cable software’s vendor,Brady, stopped supporting its NetDoc Cable Management software and is reaching end-of-life by the end of December 2021. I recalled hearing the name ‘NetDoc’ from exhibiting at BICSI events last year…
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Choosing a DCIM Vendor: 4 Key Considerations
By Fred Koh - April 30, 2020For increasingly complex data centers, data center infrastructure management (DCIM) software is no longer optional. Without it, how can you best allocate your resources (space, assets, power, etc.) and keep costs right-sized? That being said, DCIM is still, in the grand scheme of things, relatively new. Choosing a DCIM vendor from a list created by…
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Business Optimization Through Data Visualization
By Fred Koh - April 16, 2020Many of my recent articles explore netTerrain’s various use cases — with respect to network documentation, data center infrastructure management (DCIM), and managing fiber plant (outside plant). In this article, I am going to take a step back to talk about how you can optimize your business with the power of data visualization. Typically, IT…
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7 Ways DCIM Software Makes Data Center Migration Projects Easier
By Fred Koh - April 10, 2020Regardless of what exactly you need to move — consolidating data center rooms, or moving from a small data center to larger space (or vice versa) — a the process of Data Center migration can be quite stressful for managers! You need to make sure your assets are moved and installed, with correct cabling in…
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Telecommuting’s Toll on the Network: Visualization Helps
By Fred Koh - April 1, 2020Recently, I’ve been working remotely (as have so many of us). As a result, I’ve had some time to reflect on the demands that telecommuting place upon the network. Without the right tools, too much telecommuting can leave IT departments are left scrambling to ensure the infrastructure is up and ready to support internal customers….
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Need DCIM Software? 3 Questions to Ask First
By Fred Koh - March 25, 2020When we talk to organizations that are looking for a Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) solution, we always ask this: are the pain and issues big enough to make the move? DCIM software, such as netTerrain DCIM,takes some time to implement and it’s an investment: moving to a DCIM software solution requires a commitment from…
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Step Up to the Plate: Finally Time to Ditch Spreadsheets & Visio Diagrams?
By Fred Koh - March 20, 2020Step up to the plate and ditch the spreadsheets and Visio diagrams once and for all— no, I am not talking baseball here. So, what do I mean by step up to the plate? Ditching Visio Diagrams & Spreadsheets: Do You Have Pain? When we have initial discovery calls with organizations looking at netTerrain, we…
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4 Ways Network Documentation Helps You Secure the Network
By Fred Koh - March 11, 2020In a recent article, I wrote about network documentation and diagrams — and why automation is the key to getting network diagrams up-to-date (and have them stay current). In that article, I didn’t address how proper and up-to-date network documentation is important for security aspects. Security? Now, I don’t mean documenting cameras, alarm boxes, fire…
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IT Visualization Software: “what can it do?”
By Fred Koh - February 27, 2020In one of my previous articles — about what netTerrain is — I discussed some of the items you can visualize in netTerrain. When doing demos for prospects, most people don’t know the full capabilities of our IT visualization software, netTerrain. It’s more than just a network documentation, DCIM, and fiber plant solution…it’s a web-based…
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Successful DCIM Implementations: Our Top Tips
By Fred Koh - February 24, 2020As the sales director for a DCIM/Outside Plant/Network Diagram software (netTerrain), I answer many questions each day. One of the most common questions I’m asked is, “well, how do we get started?” as well as, “If we decide to go ahead and use netTerrain, how can people get netTerrain up and running and get trained?”…
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Need to Migrate Away from netViz?
By Fred Koh - February 21, 2020Back in the early 1990’s, a company based in Gaithersburg, Maryland, offered a desktop-based, IT documentation system called netViz. netViz did what it did great. It gave users the ability to document networks, data centers, and enterprise architecture diagrams. Users were using netViz to document its data center racks and cables, well before the term…
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