Olivia

Tech Enthusiast

Olivia is a dynamic tech enthusiast and passionate blog writer with over seven years of experience in the tech industry.

What is a Network Operations Center and How to Build Your Offshoring NOC

Updated on July 18, 2023

Development

In the dynamic world of information technology, having an efficient and effective network operations center (NOC) is crucial. A NOC is a centralized location where IT teams can continuously monitor the performance and health of a network, ensuring smooth business operations. But what if your business needs to scale its NOC capabilities quickly and cost-effectively? This is where offshoring comes into play. In this blog post, I’ll delve into the ins and outs of a NOC and guide you on how to build your offshoring NOC. But before we go there, what exactly is a NOC?

What Exactly Is a Network Operations Center?

A Network Operations Center, or NOC, is the nerve center of any large network. It’s a centralized place where IT administrators monitor, control, and manage the company’s network 24/7. The NOC team is responsible for ensuring network availability, performance, and security. They’re the ones who are always on alert, ready to address any issues that could potentially disrupt the network and, by extension, the business operations.

The NOC is like the watchtower of your business, continually scanning the horizon for potential threats and ensuring the company’s digital fortress remains impregnable. From handling routine tasks like patch management and software updates to responding to emergencies like server crashes and security breaches, the NOC team plays a crucial role in maintaining business continuity.

I know at first blush the idea of offshoring your NOC might seem counterintuitive as it’s such a critical part of your network. So let’s peel back the layers of the process of building an offshoring NOC to remove any doubt that offshoring is a viable option.

Understanding the Importance of a NOC

Before we jump into the how-to, it’s important to understand why having a NOC is so crucial. The NOC plays a pivotal role in ensuring that network problems are detected and rectified promptly, minimizing downtime and its associated costs.

The NOC is essentially the first line of defense against network-related problems. By continuously monitoring network performance, the NOC helps to optimize network resources, ensuring that business operations run smoothly and efficiently. Besides, the NOC also plays a key role in maintaining network security by identifying and mitigating potential threats.

To build the most effective NOC, you need to have a complete understanding of what you really need and who needs to be on the team.

Evaluating Your Needs

The first step in building your offshoring NOC is to evaluate your needs. This includes understanding your network infrastructure, identifying the key network performance indicators (KPIs) that your NOC will monitor, and determining the level of support you need.

Here’s a simple table to help you with this:

Aspect	Questions to Consider
Network Infrastructure	How complex is your network? How many users do you have? What kind of data do you handle?
KPIs	What are the critical network performance metrics for your business?
Support Level	Do you need round-the-clock monitoring? What response times are acceptable?

It’s important to note that these needs can vary greatly depending on the nature of your business. For instance, a financial services company may require a more robust NOC than a small retail business due to the sensitivity of the data they handle and the potential impact of network downtime on their operations.

Once you truly understand your needs, you will be in great shape to pick the right offshore partner.

Choosing the Right Offshore Partner

Once you’ve evaluated your needs, the next step is to choose an offshore partner who can help you build your NOC.

Offshore Software development has grown by leaps and bounds as an industry in just a handful of years. Things that were thought to be impossible just five years ago are becoming commonplace today. Companies want to leverage the latest technologies to their advantage and need expert teams to do it.

Choosing the right offshore partner is a critical step in the process. You need a partner who not only has the necessary technical expertise but also understands your business needs and goals. They should be able to work closely with your in-house team to understand your network infrastructure and provide solutions that align with your business objectives.

This is where companies like TurnKey Labs, a Silicon Valley Offshoring Company, come in. TurnKey offers an excellent service that handpicks and assembles tailor-made offshore NOC teams for you. Plus they are experts with these next three steps in the process.

Access the top tech talent on the market

Setting Up the Infrastructure

After choosing your offshore partner, the next step is to set up the required infrastructure.

Setting up the infrastructure involves various tasks, including configuring servers, setting up firewalls, installing network monitoring tools, and establishing secure communication channels between your in-house team and the offshore NOC. This stage requires careful planning and execution to ensure that your offshoring NOC is equipped to handle your network monitoring needs effectively.

Your offshore partner should be able to advise you on the best tools and technologies to use based on your specific needs. It would be ideal if you could work with an offshore partner that has a founding story similar to this one, to ensure they have the experience to meet your needs.

Back in the day, before TurnKey Labs was even a glint in their eye, TurnKey founders, Sterling Lanier and Boris Glants, had another tech startup, Tonic Health. Unsatisfied with the existing talent available in their local market to build their dream tech team, they needed to find a better solution. At first, like many others, they initially tried the outsourcing model, but the results were less than satisfactory. Then they decided to take matters into their own hands. Drawing on Boris’ close bond with the local culture in Ukraine, they decided to explore offshoring as a potential solution….and as they say, the rest is history.

Training the Team

Once the infrastructure is in place, the next step is to train your offshore NOC team. This involves not just technical training but also training in your company’s policies and procedures. Remember, your offshore NOC team is an extension of your in-house IT team, so they need to understand how your business operates.

Training should cover both the technical aspects of network monitoring and management as well as the operational aspects of working in a NOC. This includes understanding the network architecture, mastering the tools and technologies used in the NOC, learning how to identify and respond to network incidents, and understanding the company’s protocol for reporting and escalating issues.

Implementing and Monitoring

With everything else in place, it’s time to implement your offshoring NOC. This involves integrating your offshore NOC with your existing network and starting the monitoring process. Once your offshoring NOC is operational, it’s important to continuously monitor its performance and make necessary adjustments to ensure that it meets your business needs.

This phase also involves establishing clear communication channels between your in-house team and the offshore NOC. Regular meetings can be scheduled to discuss performance, address issues, and plan for future needs. Continuous feedback and adjustment are key to ensuring that your offshoring NOC remains effective and aligned with your business goals.

Leading offshore service providers like TurnKey also provide onboarding support and ongoing monitoring to ensure your new hire seamlessly integrates into your company culture and workflows. From personalized onboarding plans to regular check-ins, they take care of everything to make running your offshore NOC as smooth as possible.

Key Takeaways

Building an offshoring NOC can seem daunting, but with careful planning and the right offshore partner, it can be a smooth and successful process. Companies like TurnKey Labs can provide invaluable support throughout this process. Remember, the goal is to create an offshoring NOC that not only addresses your current needs but also has the flexibility to scale as your business grows.

By following the steps outlined in this blog post, you can build an offshoring NOC that ensures your network remains robust, secure, and efficient, supporting your business operations and driving your success in the digital age.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the role of a network operations center (NOC)?

A NOC is a centralized location where IT teams monitor, control, and manage the company's network. The NOC team ensures network availability, performance, and security, playing a crucial role in maintaining business operations.

Why should I consider building an offshoring NOC?

Building an offshoring NOC can help you scale your NOC capabilities quickly and cost-effectively. It allows you to leverage the expertise of offshore teams, freeing up your in-house team to focus on strategic initiatives.

How do I choose the right offshore partner for building my NOC?

When choosing an offshore partner, consider their technical expertise, understanding of your business needs, and track record in building successful offshoring NOCs. Companies like TurnKey Labs can be excellent partners in this endeavor.

How do I ensure the success of my offshoring NOC?

To ensure the success of your offshoring NOC, it's important to continuously monitor its performance and make necessary adjustments. Regular communication with your offshore team is also crucial to address any issues promptly and ensure alignment with your business goals.