Executive Insight from Jim Metzler

Jim Metzler, VP Ashton, Metzler & Associates, offers ITO forethought and a proactive approach as to how wide area network application performance will help IT succeed today and in the future.

Metzler identifies three key business drivers behind network application:

• The need for IT to identify application degradation before the end user does
• Being able to identify the cause of the degradation
• Application optimization and the taking out of roadblocks that exist- to be successful in application performance

Metzler states that 'Currently, the person with the title 'network manager' is as likely to spend time on application support as networking support.' The role of network manager is a very physical job: pulling coaxial cable, making things work, and network focus.

A future challenge is Mean Time Repair (MTR), a very critical issue that requires IT to be proactive in the future. There is an imminent need for comprehensive forethought that is reflected in a need for clear WAN communication between those who develop and those who deliver applications.

Jim Metzler's Final Tip: 'In working with IT shops one sees frustration around the silos and an understanding that there is a need to change that requires us to work collectively to determine what that change needs to be...Ultimately we need to keep this conversation going and get the message out.'