Today, almost every business is a digital business. Digital technologies have transformed the way businesses operate: delivering better customer and employee experiences, increased efficiency, and data-driven insights. This shift also means that most companies are managing applications across on-premises and cloud deployments, as well as experiences across touchpoints, relying heavily on robust networks to keep things running daily.

Traditional methods of network monitoring and manual management, sufficient only a short time ago, are becoming inadequate. Managing apps across both on-premises and cloud deployments in a widely distributed user base with a multitude of touchpoints requires a rethinking of network and connectivity. Agile network infrastructure is key, and visibility into the network is now paramount, both for security and for harnessing the power of the data within the network. Today’s network must seamlessly adapt to evolving IT and business needs, and an urgent need for greater networking intelligence has emerged as a driving force — promising smarter operations and increased efficiency and security — and a catalyst for innovation.

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Enter, network intelligence: the ability to collect, analyze, and interpret network data and information to gain insights and make informed decisions. Network intelligence involves using advanced tools, technologies, and techniques to monitor, manage, and optimize network performance, security, and operations. And forward-thinking companies are taking this one step further, leveraging network intelligence for better digital business outcomes and cost management.

A recent survey conducted by Foundry and sponsored by Comcast Business sheds light on the state of network visibility and the factors propelling the demand for enhanced network intelligence and automation. The survey of IT decision-makers from companies with more than 500 employees delves into the strategies being used to navigate this network modernization journey. It also highlights adoption trends among the various tools, technologies, and techniques used to optimize network performance, security, and operations.

Overall, the findings are revealing: Although most of the respondents view their current network visibility positively, it’s evident that there’s substantial room for improvement, particularly to handle rapidly changing business demands.