Netgear Brings SMB Network Management ‘Insight’ to Smartphones

Netgear wants to make the days of running back to the office or cracking open a laptop when the network needs tending a relic of the past.

This week, the company announced its new Insight app for Apple iOS and Android mobile devices. Available in the Apple App Store and Google Play, the free app helps small and midsized business (SMB) IT workers configure their Netgear-powered networks on the go with little more than their smartphones and an internet connection.

Netgear Brings SMB Network Management 'Insight' to Smartphones

The Insight app allows users to remotely manage their Netgear Smart Cloud switches and wireless access points, along with ReadyNAS that are pulling data storage duty for their teams. Users can access network activity logs and usage statistics and control their Insight Managed devices.

In terms of inventorying an SMB network, the Insight app delivers automated Netgear networking device discovery (access points, switches and network-attached storage). A unified collection of configuration tools enables users to set up their Netgear Insight Managed equipment or even upgrade its firmware right on their iPhones.

Helping users act on issues quickly, the app supports email and push notifications on network health and device connectivity. Finally, the app offers one-tap device registration with Netgear support and streamlined access to the company’s technical support services.

Essentially, Netgear’s new Insight app allows overworked small business owners and IT professionals—often one and the same—to seamlessly incorporate vital networking tasks into their increasingly mobile workstyles.

“With limited budgets and few resources at their disposal, small businesses need intuitive IT solutions. The ideal scenario is easy-to-use networking that can be managed on the go, that consistently works to provide the 24/7 connectivity which is crucial to keeping a business afloat and the business owner’s mind at ease,” said Richard Jonker, vice president of NETGEAR for Business, in a Sept. 19 announcement.

Netgear Brings SMB Network Management 'Insight' to Smartphones

With Insight, SMB IT professionals at Netgear shops no longer need to pull up a desktop dashboard to take stock of their networking environment and change settings.

“Most cloud-managed networks are expensive, complex and ignore the most important screen of all, the one that is always with you – your smartphone,” Jonker continued. “Whether your network is at your home, your store or a remote location, this line of networking products provides you with a secure way to identify, troubleshoot and resolve issues which might arise, anytime, anywhere.”

Netgear Insight Managed Hardware

On the hardware front, Netgear also announced a new line of Insight Managed Smart Cloud switches for SMBs.

From the compact and fan-less GC110 to the rack-mountable GC510PP, all four models include eight GbE (gigabit Ethernet) ports and two SFP (small form-factor pluggable) ports. The GbE ports on the GC110P support POE (power over Ethernet) while those on the GC510P and GC510PP support POE+ for higher-draw devices.

Netgear Insight Managed wireless access points, the WAC505 and the WAC510 with router functionality, flood workplaces with secure and reliable AC1200 Wi-Fi coverage. Finally, the company’s network storage products running ReadyNAS OS 6.0 and up feature Insight compatibility. Supported models include the rackmount 2000, 3000 and 4000 and the Desktop Series 420, 520 and 620.

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