Gartner Research

How to Reduce Network Equipment Maintenance Costs

Published: 13 May 2014

ID: G00264020

Analyst(s): Andrew Lerner , Mark Fabbi

Summary

Each year, maintenance costs swallow 15% to 25% of total enterprise IT budgets, and network managers must constantly reduce and control these expenses. Gartner has identified four ways to decrease network maintenance and support costs that can be applied to all types of networking equipment.

Table Of Contents
  • Key Challenges

Introduction

  • Maintenance Options
    • Manufacturer-Branded, Manufacturer-Delivered Support and Maintenance
    • Authorized Service Provider Partner Branded and Delivered Support and Maintenance
    • Independent Service Provider Delivered Support and Maintenance
    • Self-Support via Hardware Sparing
    • Hybrid Approaches

Analysis

  • Negotiate Initial Maintenance Contract Pricing When You Negotiate Equipment Purchase Prices
  • Ensure That Network Equipment Has the Appropriate Maintenance Level
    • One Size Does Not Fit All
    • Pricing Ranges
  • Co-terminate and Centrally Manage Your Maintenance Contracts
  • Take Advantage of Limited Lifetime Warranties for Less Critical and More Stable Parts of Your Network
  • Looking Ahead

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