EMA report says only 31% have fully successful network operations strategies
EMA released its 2026 network management report based on a survey of 352 IT professionals. It found only 31% have fully successful network operations strategies as AI and hybrid cloud complexity rise.
Enterprise Management Associates has released a research report, "Network Management Megatrends 2026: Automation, Hybrid and Multi-Cloud Networks, and AI Transformation," based on a survey of 352 IT professionals across North America and Europe. The findings show only 31% of enterprises have fully successful network operations strategies as organizations adapt their monitoring, troubleshooting, and optimization strategies amid accelerating AI adoption, expanding hybrid and multi-cloud environments, and ongoing operational complexity.
Published every two years since 2008, the research serves as a benchmark for enterprise network operations practices. All survey participants were directly involved in enterprise network management or oversaw teams responsible for network operations, representing multiple industries and organization sizes.
The findings reveal that many organizations continue to face persistent operational challenges, including tool sprawl and increasing infrastructure complexity. Only 32% are completely satisfied with the tools they use to monitor and troubleshoot their networks, while 73% expect to replace some of these tools within the next two years.
AI has become the top strategic driver for network operations initiatives, rising from the seventh-ranked driver in the previous Megatrends research. Within the next two years, 97% of surveyed organizations expect to run AI application workloads across on-premises or cloud infrastructure, and few believe their tools are ready to manage networks for AI.
More than half, or 52%, of respondents said hiring and retaining professionals with network technology expertise remains a significant challenge. The report says staffing shortages are making it more difficult for IT leaders to scale operations through additional personnel alone and identifies emerging best practices and strategic approaches that can help organizations improve network operations maturity and operational effectiveness.
The independent research is sponsored by BlueCat, Broadcom, cPacket, and NETSCOUT. A detailed analysis of the findings is available in the report, and a free webinar on the research findings and recommendations is scheduled for May 27.