What Are Managed Network Services?

When your network underperforms, your entire business feels it — slower operations, security gaps, frustrated users and rising IT workloads. That’s why more organizations are turning to managed network services to stay connected, secure and scalable without stretching internal resources.

Managing your own network infrastructure is complex, time-consuming and costly. It can also drain IT resources, divert focus from strategic priorities and increase your exposure to unnecessary risk. From daily maintenance to around-the-clock monitoring, in-house network management often forces IT teams to focus on firefighting instead of future-proofing.

By partnering with a trusted managed services provider (MSP), your business can tap into carrier-grade technology, resilient infrastructure and specialized expertise. Let’s explore how managed network services can help your business streamline operations, improve security and enable your team to focus on higher-value strategic initiatives.

What Are Managed Network Services? An In-Depth Look

Managed network services refer to outsourcing your business’s network management tasks, including monitoring, maintenance, security and performance optimization, to a managed network services provider (MNSP).

Managed services are often packaged with predictable monthly pricing, providing consistent costs and up-to-date capabilities. They’re also offered under a Service Level Agreement (SLA) that defines uptime, response times and performance standards, setting clear expectations for service delivery, support and accountability.

Types of Managed Network Services Offered

Managed network services include a range of specialized solutions that can vary in scope, connectivity and deployment. Here are some of the most common managed network solutions your business can benefit from:

• Managed LAN/WAN Services —Outsourcing oversight of your local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs) allows your provider to monitor and manage connections within or between your sites to ensure consistent uptime and reliable performance.
• Network Security Management — Managed network security services providers offer advanced network security capabilities, such as firewalls, endpoint protection, intrusion detection systems (IDS), intrusion prevention systems (IPS), virtual private networks (VPNs) and support for maintaining compliance with industry regulations.
• Managed Wi-Fi — By outsourcing your wireless infrastructure’s design, deployment and ongoing support, your MSP ensures strong, reliable coverage throughout your facilities, minimizes dead zones and supports seamless connectivity for employees, guests and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Managed Wi-Fi delivers secure, property-wide connectivity and supports streamlined installation and centralized management.
• Cloud Networking Services — Cloud networking services refer to the specific technologies and capabilities that enable secure, high-performance connectivity across cloud environments. This includes virtual routers and switches, VPNs and secure gateways for hybrid environments, traffic optimization for cloud-hosted apps and remote access solutions for distributed users. When delivered through a Network as a Service model, these tools come fully managed, packaged as a subscription service with expert support, built-in security and predictable costs. Your MSP handles configuration, performance and updates, so your team can focus on strategy instead of network maintenance.
• SD-WAN — Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) centralizes WAN control and uses software-defined networking (SDN) algorithms to dynamically route data traffic across multiple connection types, including Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS), broadband and Long-Term Evolution (LTE). SD-WAN optimizes connectivity for performance, security and cost-efficiency, especially across distributed sites.
• SASE — Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) combines essential networking and security services into a single, holistic solution that includes SD-WAN, zero trust network access (ZTNA), secure web gateway (SWG), cloud access security broker (CASB) and next-generation firewall (NGFW). These integrated network security functions create a comprehensive defense against evolving AI-powered cyberthreats.
• Network Monitoring & Reporting — MSPs provide proactive 24/7/365 network monitoring supported by real-time alerting and automated remediation to maximize uptime and resolve issues quickly. Advanced diagnostics and analytics also give you deep, granular visibility into your network, empowering your team to make faster, better-informed decisions. Many providers still use Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) to collect device-level data and increasingly supplement it with streaming telemetry and log-based analysis for more scalable real-time visibility across complex environments.

Key Benefits of Managed Network Services

Outsourcing your network to a trusted MSP takes tasks off your plate and transforms your business operations. From boosting uptime to scaling across locations, managed network services can help you achieve these benefits:

• Improved Network Performance & Uptime — MSPs leverage carrier-grade technology and robust managed network infrastructure to maximize uptime and ensure consistent, high-quality performance.
• 24/7 Monitoring & Proactive Support — Around-the-clock monitoring and proactive guidance allow your MSP to detect and address potential issues before they become major disruptions.
• Cost Predictability Through Fixed Monthly Fees — Managed services are typically delivered through a predictable monthly subscription that’s budget-friendly and easily scalable.
• Access to Specialized IT Expertise — MSPs are staffed with seasoned solutions experts and engineers whose knowledge you can tap into without the cost and complexity of training or expanding your in-house IT staff.
• Refocused IT Teams — MSPs are responsible for planning, deploying, maintaining and updating your networks, freeing your IT team to focus on higher-value assignments.
• Enhanced Security & Regulatory Compliance — MSPs deploy next-generation cybersecurity solutions that comprehensively protect your networks against cyberattacks and ensure compliance with relevant industry standards.
• Faster Issue Resolution Through Automation & AI Tools — MSPs leverage advanced automations and sophisticated AI tools to optimize your networks for rapid diagnosis, quick remediation and maximum uptime.
• Scalability for Growing or Multilocation Operations — Managed network services are easily scalable in response to changing business demands, including adding or removing features and lighting up new locations on demand.

How to Choose the Right Managed Network Services Provider

Choosing the best-fit managed network services provider is a strategic decision that can significantly impact your business performance, security posture and long-term growth. The right partner does more than simply maintain your network; it acts as an extension of your IT team, bringing specialized expertise, proactive security and advanced technologies that help you stay competitive. Evaluate potential partners carefully to ensure they align with your operational needs, regulatory requirements and business goals.

Key Benefits of Managed Network Services

Managed network services can vary dramatically by provider. Here are some of the top factors you should consider when evaluating an MSP:

• Multilocation Expertise — If your organization operates across multiple sites, you need an MSP experienced in managing complex, distributed networks. Multilocation deployments should support seamless connectivity, centralized control and consistent network configurations.
• Experience & Industry Expertise — Seek an MSP with a strong track record verified by customers in your industry. Veteran MSPs will understand your unique business requirements and offer customized solutions to help you achieve your goals.
• Competitive SLAs — Look for sensible SLAs that set clear expectations for uptime, performance and level of support. A transparent, well-defined SLA protects your business and gives you peace of mind that your network will be handled reliably and as expected.
• Network Redundancy & Resilience Measures — Your MSP’s managed network systems should include redundant connectivity and automated failover to ensure business continuity in cases of disruption, like power outages, hardware failures, software glitches or cyberattacks.
• Security Certifications — Ensure your MSP adheres to industry regulations that apply to your business, such as Systems and Organization Controls 2 (SOC 2), ISO 27001, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).
• Customization Capabilities — Your business may have unique networking needs for which a one-size-fits-all solution may not be suitable. The right MSP should offer customizable services that address your requirements and integrate seamlessly with your business operations.
• Support Availability — Your MSP should offer responsive, competent, 24/7/365 remote customer support. Moreover, the best MSPs offer around-the-clock on-site dispatch to ensure critical hardware problems are addressed immediately.
• Reporting & Transparency — Your MSP should deliver comprehensive, insightful reporting and maintain clear communications to keep you accurately informed about your network’s health, performance and security posture.
• References & Case Studies — Your MSP’s reputation should be validated by customer testimonials and case studies about how the provider has supported businesses like yours with their managed networking solutions. For example, consider this Granite case study where we deployed broadband SD-WAN, 4G/5G LTE failover and Granite Guardian for a multilocation enterprise.

Why Partner With Granite for Managed Network Services

Granite offers a comprehensive portfolio of managed network services designed to support your business as it scales and evolves. By partnering with Granite, you gain access to modern networking solutions, advanced cybersecurity and expert support tailored to your business needs.

• Managed Network Services — Granite’s managed network services are a comprehensive solution that ensures optimal performance of your telecommunications infrastructure. With this solution, you get 24/7 network monitoring, proactive ticketing, customizable deployments, built-in Granite edgeboot devices for remote device management and “dispatch as a service” to minimize downtime.
• Managed Wi-Fi Solutions – Granite’s managed Wi-Fi solutions deliver business-grade, secure wireless connectivity backed by 24/7 technical support and expert oversight. Features include detailed engineering surveys, optimized configurations, flexible device installation and a customer experience (CX)-oriented approach.
• SASE/SD-WAN – Granite’s SASE solutions combine SD-WAN for dynamic data routing, cloud firewall to block unauthorized traffic, cloud switching for improved flexibility, cloud Wi-Fi for enhanced wireless connectivity and a unified network stack framework to centralize your networking components and protocols into a single, cohesive ecosystem.
• Granite NOCExpress – NOCExpress is an innovative network management platform that offers advanced network operations center (NOC) capabilities, including continuous monitoring, rapid incident response and expert troubleshooting. Benefits of NOCExpress include proactive ticketing, fast dispatches, personalized dashboards and integrations with services like ServiceNow and Granite’s TechExpress.