Everything relies on the network in today’s world and when combined with RMR it can be a winning formula for your company. Do you say, “Networking scares me. We’re a security company; we protect people and property”? If so, then read on, because it’s time to adapt or become history. If you already see the opportunities the network offers, then keep reading because you might glean some new ideas.

Networks are the backbone of any building, both at work and at home. They not only help run and oversee a business, they now manage the environment, access, and activities. They are required to make most things happen smoothly and efficiently. For quite some time networks and computers have been used for processing orders, making sales, and crunching numbers. They made work easier, increased accuracy, and freed up time. Today, these same benefits are spreading to all aspects of life as shown by the explosion of the Internet of Things (IoT). There are three business service opportunities when it comes to the network: documentation, monitoring, and management.

Documenting the network is just common sense. Whenever something is complex and has multiple working parts, detailing accurate information can be very useful. Just like a security system has zones, zone types and access codes, a network has different kinds of devices, connections, IP addresses, passwords and privileges. Documenting setup of a network and specific device information is important as it will undoubtedly be needed. Your company and team can be the hero who gathers it now, and is ready in the future when the information is needed. Be sure to charge for this service — add it as a line item under programming for the system and/or each network device.

Check out the simple plug-in device, AG SmartBot, which emails a detailed network report in 90 seconds that includes Internet speed, router information, open and closed ports, all connected devices, and more. Also look at fing, a network scanning app for iOS and Android that provides an inventory of all devices on a Wi-Fi network.

Monitoring the network offers continual care, just like medical monitoring of vitals to alert if anything is abnormal. Network anomalies may predict/indicate device malfunction or performance issues. Networks are ever changing: devices may be added, deleted, modified, or quit working, and incoming services are revised or interrupted. With ongoing assessment of the network and attached devices, a picture of network health and performance is available.

Network monitoring has RMR with a 50 percent margin and can be included easily in a maintenance agreement. Customer pricing typically ranges from $8 to $12 per month for residential, and $30 on up for commercial applications. A variety of network monitoring services can be offered. Do research, learn what’s out there, and consider what aligns best with your customers and business.

Managing the network responds to issues discovered through monitoring of the network. The goal is to be proactive and address potential problems before they turn into real ones. And if a problem occurs, resolve it immediately, either through remote access or a site visit. For residential and small commercial customers, your company can manage the network. For large commercial and corporate clients, the monitoring of the network can still be done by your firm, but their IT department may do the actual service to fix the problem.

Why should your company be the network guardian? Because every customer depends on their network and will probably want — and need — a resource to oversee this important aspect of their work and life. They already allow you in their home or business, and trust you to keep their space and family protected. Your company is already connecting devices to the network. Your team already understands how a network works and can attach and maintain network devices.

The bottom line is “own the network” and become a leader.