Based on a survey of 351 IT decision-makers and in-depth interviews with network engineers and architects, new research identifies how IT organizations can best select a toolset for managing the performance, availability, capacity, cost, and compliance of an enterprise network
LAFAYETTE, Colo., Feb. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Enterprise Management Associates (EMAâ„¢), a leading IT research and consulting firm, today announced the release of its latest research report, "Network Observability: Managing Performance Across Hybrid Networks," authored by Shamus McGillicuddy, vice president of research for network infrastructure and operations at EMA.
Performance and availability are essential missions of any enterprise network infrastructure and operations teams. To succeed in these missions, network teams need tools that can monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize networks by collecting and analyzing a variety of network data. Historically, EMA described such tools as network monitoring or network performance management solutions. Over the last four years, tool vendors have embraced a newer marketing term: network observability.
"Two years ago, only 20% of network managers preferred the term 'network observability' to describe these tools. Today, that number has increased to 48%," McGillicuddy said. "When tool vendors use the term, they are claiming that their products offer more visibility and more insights than the previous generation of tools. IT leaders should embrace the concept and hold their vendors to higher standard. This research shows them how to navigate the issue."
EMA has tracked this market for decades, and this latest 2025 report provides fresh insights into emerging trends, evolving requirements, and best practices for selecting the right toolsets. IT leaders clearly recognize that they need to invest in better tools. Only 43% of research participants believe their organizations are completely successful with the tools they use to observe their networks.
EMA's research identifies the differences between successful and unsuccessful tool use, cautioning against tool sprawl and emphasizing the need for a strategic approach when selecting solutions, with a focus on data scalability, versatility, and visualization across multi-vendor networks, managed networks (e.g., data center, campus, and branch), and unmanaged networks (internet, cloud, remote user edge).
Some of the key findings from the report include:
- The volume and the variety of data that enterprises collect and analyze with their observability tools is growing
- 59% of IT professionals say it is very important for their observability vendors to leverage artificial intelligence to deliver actionable insights
- 87% of enterprises use multiple network observability tools, and they strive to integrate and consolidate these tools as much as possible
- Nearly 59% of organizations are likely to replace their incumbent network observability tools over the next two years
This independent research is sponsored by Broadcom, BlueCat, Juniper Networks, NETSCOUT, and Park Place Technologies.
A detailed analysis of the research findings is available in the report, "."
McGillicuddy will reveal highlights from the report during the free .
About EMA
Founded in 1996, EMA is a leading IT research firm that provides deep insight across the full spectrum of IT and data management technologies. EMA analysts leverage a unique combination of practical experience, insight into industry best practices, and in-depth knowledge of current and planned vendor solutions to help their clients achieve their goals. Learn more about EMA research, analysis, and consulting services at
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SOURCE Enterprise Management Associates
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