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Complete results: 1998 Network management survey


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Network World Fusion, 05/11/98

In March, Network World, in conjunction with the Deloitte & Touche Consulting Group and Aspen Media and Market Research, surveyed 202 readers on their level of satisfaction with network and systems management tools. Here are the results. Note: Except where noted, numbers are percentages of those responding.

1. Do you use network and systems management tools or directly supervise those who do?

     Yes: 100.0
      No:   0.0

2. How many servers are you responsible for managing?

    1-10:  40.6
   11-20:  20.3
   21-50:  16.3
  51-100:   6.9
 101-500:  12.4
OVER 500:   3.5
3. How many desktops are you responsible for managing? 
     1-25: 10.9
    26-50:  6.9
   51-100: 11.4
  101-200: 15.8
  201-500: 16.3
 501-3000: 24.3
OVER 3000: 14.4
4. What types of computer operating systems do you manage? 
            Unix: 55.5 N - 112
             Mac: 33.2 N - 135
      Mainframes: 31.7 N - 138
Midrange systems: 40.1 N - 120
         NetWare: 59.4 N - 120
            OS/2: 26.7 N - 148
         Windows: 82.2 N - 166
      Windows NT: 87.6 N - 177
           Other: 20.3 N - 160
5. What is the structure of your network and systems management environment? 
1.  managed from multiple local management
    centers with no integration              14.9			
2.  managed from multiple local management
    centers with integration at a central
    enterprise site                          31.2
3.  managed from a single central location   53.0
4.  DON'T KNOW                                1.0
6. What type of help desk structure do you have? 
None/don't know:          8.4
Multiple desks for each
local management center
with no integration:      8.9
Multiple desks for each
local management center
with integration at a
central enterprise site:  33.2
A single desk at a
single central location:  49.5
7. Are you managing your various networks and systems as a single integrated entity, or are you managing various components (network, internetwork, servers, desktops, etc. separately? 
 Managing everything as
   an integrated entity:  27.7
      Managing various
  components separately
 using element managers:  50.0
Using tools that manage
networks as one entity 
and systems as another,
  but do not integrate
              the two:    20.8
          Don't know:      1.5
8. What is your organization's strategic direction for network and systems management? 

1. Using an SNMP-based platform as network 
   and systems management foundation.           55.4
2. Using a framework such as IBM/Tivoli
   TME or CA Unicenter and integrating
   "best of breed" products.                    15.8
3. Using CA Unicenter or another similar
   product as  the integrated solution on
   its own.                                      8.9
4. Continue to use separate point products
   for each network or systems management task  23.3
5. No strategic direction.                       8.4
For each of the following questions, please rate your satisfaction level using the following scale: extremely satisfied, somewhat satisfied, only adequate, unsatisfactory, or very unsatisfactory.

9. How would you rate overall improvement in your network and systems management tools in the last year? 

1. Very unsatisfactory       0.5
2. Unsatisfactory            6.4
3. Only adequate            26.2
4. Somewhat satisfied       53.5
5. Extremely satisfied      11.4
6. Not used/not applicable/
   don't know                2.0
Please rate your satisfaction level using the following scale: extremely satisfied, somewhat satisfied, only adequate, unsatisfactory, or very unsatisfactory.

10. How would you rate your satisfaction with the scalability of your current network and systems management solution? 

1. Very unsatisfactory       1.0
2. Unsatisfactory           10.9
3. Only adequate            21.3
4. Somewhat satisfied       50.0
5. Extremely satisfied      15.8
6. Not used/not applicable/
   don't know                1.0
Please rate your satisfaction level using the following scale: extremely satisfied, somewhat satisfied, only adequate, unsatisfactory, or very unsatisfactory. 11. How would you rate your satisfaction with the integration of your current network and systems management tools? 
1. Very unsatisfactory        1.0
2. Unsatisfactory            14.4
3. Only adequate             25.7
4. Somewhat satisfied        45.0
5. Extremely satisfied        9.4
6. Not used/not applicable/
   don't know                 4.5
Please rate your satisfaction level using the following scale: extremely satisfied, somewhat satisfied, only adequate, unsatisfactory, or very unsatisfactory.

12. How satisfied are you with your ability to manage all your clients and servers with a single framework? 

1. Very unsatisfactory        5.9
2. Unsatisfactory            25.7
3. Only adequate             20.8
4. Somewhat satisfied        30.7
5. Extremely satisfied        9.9
6. Not used/not applicable/
   don't know                 6.9
13. Do you currently use management tools based on Web technology? 
1. Yes   31.2
2. No    68.8
On a scale of 1-5 with 5 being extremely satisfied and 1 being very unsatisfied, please rate your level of satisfaction with Web-based tools in each of the following areas.

14. Ease of use... 

1. Very unsatisfactory        1.6
2. Unsatisfactory             3.2
3. Only adequate             30.2
4. Somewhat satisfied        39.7
5. Extremely satisfied       19.0
6. Not applicable/don't know  6.3
Number of respondents to questions 14-19: 63

On a scale of 1-5 with 5 being extremely satisfied and 1 being very unsatisfied, please rate your level of satisfaction with Web-based tools in each of the following areas.

15. The ability to share management information with more people, including end users? 

1. Very unsatisfactory         0.0
2. Uunsatisfactory             9.5
3. Only adequate              23.8
4. Aomewhat satisfied         38.1
5. Extremely satisfied        20.6
6. Not applicable/don't know   7.9
On a scale of 1-5 with 5 being extremely satisfied and 1 being very unsatisfied, please rate your level of satisfaction with Web-based tools in each of the following areas.

16. The ability to aggregate management information from a number of sources? 

1. Very unsatisfactory         1.6
2. Unsatisfactory             20.6
3. Only adequate              17.5
4. Somewhat satisfied         46.0
5. Extremely satisfied         7.9
6. Not applicable/don't know   6.3
On a scale of 1-5 with 5 being extremely satisfied and 1 being very unsatisfied, please rate your level of satisfaction with Web-based tools in each of the following areas.

17. The ability to correlate management information to more easily solve problems. 

1. Very unsatisfactory        3.2
2. Unsatisfactory            11.1
3. Only adequate             27.0
4. Somewhat satisfied        44.4
5. Extremely satisfied        7.9
6. Not applicable/don't know   6.3
On a scale of 1-5 with 5 being extremely satisfied and 1 being very unsatisfied, please rate your level of satisfaction with Web-based tools in each of the following areas.

18. Mobility - the ability to manage from anywhere with an Internet connection? 


1. Very unsatisfactory            0.0
2. Unsatisfactory                 4.8
3. Only adequate                 30.2
4. Somewhat satisfied            28.6
5. Extremely satisfied           30.2
6. Not applicable/don't know      6.3
On a scale of 1-5 with 5 being extremely satisfied and 1 being very unsatisfied, please rate your level of satisfaction with Web-based tools in each of the following areas.

19. The ability to give end users access to information that enables them to help themselves? 

1. Very unsatisfactory            3.2
2. Unsatisfactory                 4.8					
3. Only adequate                 30.2
4. Somewhat satisfied            38.1
5. Extremely satisfied           15.9
6. Not applicable/don't know      7.9
Getting back to your overall network and systems management environment...

20. How would you rate your overall satisfaction with the level of automation for network and systems management? 

1. Very unsatisfactory            1.5
2. Unsatisfactory                15.8
3. Only adequate                 38.6
4. Somewhat satisfied            36.6
5. Extremely satisfied            4.5
6. Not applicable/don't know      3.0
21. How would you rate your overall satisfaction with your accounting management tools? 
1. Very unsatisfactory            5.0		
2. Unsatisfactory                15.3
3. Only adequate                 22.8
4. Somewhat satisfied            19.3	
5. Extremely satisfied            5.9
6. Not applicable/don't know     31.7
22. How would you rate your overall satisfaction with your Asset/Inventory management tools? 
1. Very unsatisfactory           8.9	
2. Unsatisfactory               14.9
3. Only adequate                24.3
4. Somewhat satisfied           24.8
5. Extremely satisfied           7.4
6. Do not use                   19.8
23. How would you rate your overall satisfaction with your backup management tools? 
1. Very unsatisfactory           2.5
2. Unsatisfactory                7.9
3. Only adequate                25.7
4. Somewhat satisfied           42.6
5. Extremely satisfied          17.8
6. Do not use                    3.5
24. How would you rate your overall satisfaction with your configuration management tools? 
1. Very unsatisfactory           1.5
2. Unsatisfactory               13.9
3. Only adequate                28.7
4. Somewhat satisfied           41.6
5. Extremely satisfied           6.4
6. Do not use                    7.9
25. How would you rate your overall satisfaction with your database management tools? 
1. Very unsatisfactory           1.0
2. Unsatisfactory                9.9
3. Only adequate                23.8
4. Somewhat satisfied           41.1
5. Extremely satisfied           5.0
6. Do not use                   19.3
26. How would you rate your overall satisfaction with your performance management tools? 
1. Very unsatisfactory           2.0
2. Unsatisfactory               12.4
3. Only adequate                31.7
4. Somewhat satisfied           42.1
5. Extremely satisfied           5.4
6. Do not use                    6.4
27. How would you rate your overall satisfaction with your problem management tools, such as your trouble ticketing system? 
1. Very unsatisfactory           5.0
2. Unsatisfactory               16.8
3. Only adequate                25.2
4. Somewhat satisfied           30.2
5. Extremely satisfied          10.4
6. Do not use                   12.4
28. How would you rate your overall satisfaction with your software distribution tools? 
1. Very unsatisfactory           4.0
2. Unsatisfactory               20.3
3. Only adequate                24.8
4. Somewhat satisfied           23.8
5. Extremely satisfied           9.4
6. Do not use                   17.8
29. How would you rate your overall satisfaction with your security management tools? 
1. Very unsatisfactory           2.5
2. Unsatisfactory               16.3
3. Only adequate                24.3
4. Somewhat satisfied           36.6
5. Extremely satisfied          10.9
6. Do not use                    9.4
30. How would you rate your overall satisfaction with your help desk systems? 
1. Very unsatisfactory           3.5
2. Unsatisfactory               14.9
3. Only adequate                28.7
4. Somewhat satisfied           28.2
5. Extremely satisfied          10.9
6. Do not use                   13.9
31. How satisfied are you with server management? 
1. Very unsatisfactory           0.5
2. Unsatisfactory                6.4
3. Only adequate                31.7
4. Somewhat satisfied           44.6
5. Extremely satisfied          11.9
6. Not applicable/don't know     5.0
32. What is your overall satisfaction with your ability to manage your applications? 
1. Very unsatisfactory           4.0
2. Unsatisfactory               11.9
3. Only adequate                28.7
4. Somewhat satisfied           36.6
5. Extremely satisfied           9.4
6. Do not manage applications    9.4
33. What is your satisfaction level with your ability to troubleshoot your application problems? 
1. Very unsatisfactory           3.5
2. Unsatisfactory               19.3
3. Only adequate                30.2
4. Somewhat satisfied           35.1
5. Extremely satisfied           5.4
6. do not manage applications    6.4
34. What is your satisfaction level with your ability to optimize your applications performance? 
1. Very unsatisfactory           5.0
2. Unsatisfactory               20.3
3. Only adequate                30.7	
4. Somewhat satisfied           32.2
5. Extremely satisfied           2.0
6. Do not manage applications    9.9
35. How satisfied are you with your Web server management tools? 
1. Very unsatisfactory           2.0
2. Unsatisfactory                7.9
3. Only adequate                19.3
4. Somewhat satisfied           27.2
5. Extremely satisfied           5.0
6. Not applicable/don't know    38.6
36. How satisfied are you with tools for managing Web-based applications? 
1. Very unsatisfactory           2.0
2. Unsatisfactory                8.9
3. Only adequate                17.8
4. Somewhat satisfied           23.8
5. Extremely satisfied           2.0
6. Not applicable/don't know    45.5
In terms of managing Web sites, be they for the Internet or intranets, how would you rate your satisfaction with each of the following types of tools?

37. Tools for managing a session end-to-end, from host to client, in real time... 

1. Very unsatisfactory           2.5
2. Unsatisfactory               14.9
3. Only adequate                19.3
4. Somewhat satisfied           17.3
5. Extremely satisfied           4.0
6. Not applicable/don't know    42.1
38. Measurement tools, to determine who's using what resources and when... 
1. Very unsatisfactory           4.5
2. Unsatisfactory               15.3
3. Only adequate                27.2
4. Somewhat satisfied           20.3
5. Extremely satisfied           4.5
6. Not applicable/don't know    28.2
39. Troubleshooting tools.... 
1. Very unsatisfactory           2.0
2. Unsatisfactory               11.4
3. Only adequate                30.7
4. Somewhat satisfied           28.2
5. Extremely satisfied           3.5
6. Not applicable/don't know    24.3
40. Content management tools... 
1. Very unsatisfactory           2.0
2. Unsatisfactory               10.4
3. Only adequate                21.3
4. Somewhat satisfied           24.3
5. Extremely satisfied           3.0
6. Not applicable/don't know    39.1
41. Reporting tools ... 
1. Very unsatisfactory           0.5
2. Unsatisfactory               10.4
3. Only adequate                25.7
4. Somewhat satisfied           30.2
5. Extremely satisfied           5.9
6. Not applicable/don't know    27.2
42. Tools for measuring application response time... 
1. Very unsatisfactory           5.4
2. Unsatisfactory               14.9
3. Only adequate                19.3
4. Somewhat satisfied           18.8
5. Extremely satisfied           4.0
6. Not applicable/don't know    37.6
On a scale of 1-5 with 5 being essential and 1 being unimportant, how important are each of the following items for increasing your satisfaction with your overall satisfaction with your network and systems management tools?

43. How important is a truly distributed systems management solution? 

 1    2    3    4    5   DK
4.5 4.5  26.7 36.1 25.7 2.5
44. How important is automating repetitive management tasks? 
 1    2    3    4    5   DK
1.0 4.5  15.3  44.6 34.7 0.0
45. How important is having automated processes that provide quick response and higher customer service to your users? 
 1    2    3    4    5   DK
1.5 2.5  11.9  41.6 42.6 0.0
46. How important is automated diagnosis and suggestions for fixing problems? 
 1    2    3    4    5   DK
1.5 5.9  26.7 40.6 24.8 0.5
47. How important is a scaleable network and systems management solution? 
 1    2    3    4    5   DK
2.0  5.9 15.3 43.1 33.7 0.0
48. How important is an integrated systems and application management toolset? 
 1   2    3    4    5   DK
1.5 7.9 27.2 43.6 19.3 0.5
49. How important is the ability to manage applications remotely? 
 1   2    3    4    5   DK
3.0 5.9 22.8 39.1 29.2 0.0
50. How important is integration of systems and application management information with network management information? 
 1   2    3    4    5   DK
1.5 7.4 31.7 41.6 17.8 0.0
51. How important is the ability to manage Web servers? 
 1     2    3    4    5   DK
11.9 11.9 15.3 35.6 17.8 7.4
52. How important is the ability to manage Web-based applications? 
 1    2    3    4    5   DK
12.4 11.9 21.8 34.2 11.4 8.4
How important would you say network and systems management are in helping you achieve the following goals? Again, use a scale of 1-5 with 5 being essential and 1 being unimportant.

53. How important is reducing costs? 

 1   2    3    4    5   DK
2.5 5.0 16.3 33.2 42.1 1.0
How important would you say network and systems management are in helping you achieve the following goals? Again, use a scale of 1-5 with 5 being essential and 1 being unimportant.

54. How important is reducing complexity? 

 1   2    3    4    5   DK
0.5 4.0 12.4 44.1 39.1 0.0
How important would you say network and systems management are in helping you achieve the following goals? Again, use a scale of 1-5 with 5 being essential and 1 being unimportant.

55. How important is improving reliability and availabilty? 

 1   2    3    4    5   DK
0.5 0.5 6.4 26.7 65.8 0.0
How important would you say network and systems management are in helping you achieve the following goals? Again, use a scale of 1-5 with 5 being essential and 1 being unimportant. 56. How important is improving customer service? 
 1   2    3    4    5   DK
1.0 1.0  8.4 33.7  55.4 0.5
57. What is your industry sector? 
1. maufacturing	                    20.8
2. utilities                         2.5
3. government                       18.8
4. education                         8.9
5. transportation                    3.0
6. financel/banking                 13.4
7. insurance                         3.5
8. real estate                       2.0
9. legal                             0.5
10. health care	                     6.9
11. hospitality/entertainment        2.0
12. process industries
(construction/petroleum/agriculture) 5.9
13. retail/wholesale                 4.0
14. non-profit                       1.5
15. refused/don't know               0.0
16. other                            6.4
58. What are your approximate annual revenues? 
1. Under $1 Million                   1.5
2. $1 Million to under $10 Million    5.4
3. $10 Million to under $100 Million 27.2
4. $100 Million to under $1 Billion  21.3
5. $1 Billion to under $10 Billion   17.3
6. Over $10 Billion                   9.4
7. Non-profit                         9.9
8. Refused                            7.9

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