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23.10.2026
More bandwidth, more network ports, state-of-the-art hardware: When choosing a new network solution, technical specifications and the purchase price often take center stage. However, a powerful or particularly inexpensive solution is not automatically the right choice.
Dr. Christian Attinger works at accompio as a Customer Success Manager for Cisco customers and as a Lead Consultant for IT and OT network architectures. In an interview, he explains why companies should carefully analyze their individual requirements, the role of security and operational costs, and how to avoid costly mistakes.
How companies find the right networking solution, what requirements are often overlooked when choosing one, and why long-term operating costs are crucial are explained. Dr. Christian Attinger in the full interview.
Standardization is important in IT. It facilitates collaboration between different systems and manufacturers and creates reusable foundations. It becomes problematic when companies adopt a standard architecture without checking whether it fits their specific use case.
A company with a large production environment has different requirements for its network than an organization whose employees work mostly remotely or in a home office. The importance of availability also differs: in a business-critical system, outages can have immediate consequences, whereas other applications require less stringent requirements.
If a well-known architecture is deployed independently of actual needs, it can lead to unnecessary complexity, high ticket costs, and disappointing results. The technical solution may work, but the company does not support it as efficiently as expected.
Dr. Christian Attinger therefore relies on individual advice rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. The goal is to jointly determine which business results the network is intended to enable and which technical implementation is appropriate.
A well-considered network selection does not start with a specific manufacturer or product, but with an inventory assessment. As part of a Network Assessments the current state, the technical infrastructure, and the business requirements are considered.
Among other things, the following questions are at the center of the discussion:
The answers help determine the appropriate architecture and sizing. They prevent companies from purchasing, for example, more network ports or bandwidth than they actually need.
Existing measurement data can also be valuable. Those who already know how heavily the infrastructure is loaded and which applications require what level of performance can directly incorporate this information into the planning process. If such data is missing, an advanced analysis can help make informed decisions.
Network decisions are often made based on metrics such as bandwidth, port count, and throughput. However, security requirements sometimes take a back seat. Modern networks must not only transport data but also control access and limit risks.
Hybrid work and mobile access are adding to the challenges. Companies must consider who can access which systems and how potential security incidents could affect other areas. This also includes limiting the spread of an attack within the infrastructure as much as possible.
In addition to security, operational capability is crucial. A technically capable architecture can lead to erroneous decisions if the internal team is unable to adequately manage it. Companies must therefore also consider whether they possess the necessary expertise and resources, or whether certain services are better handled by a specialized service provider.
The appropriate network solution is therefore not just a question of technical capabilities; it must also be secure, reliable, and easy to operate with reasonable effort.
When investing in network infrastructure, the initial purchase price often takes center stage. However, companies should consider the total costs over several years to make an economically sound decision.
In addition to hardware and licenses, this also includes administration, support, troubleshooting, and maintenance. A solution that is cheaper in purchasing can cause more manual effort in everyday operations. If central dashboards or automation capabilities are missing, employees may need more time to analyze disruptions and gather information.
Support times also play a role. If a business-critical switch fails, a longer replacement process can have significant consequences. Therefore, it is crucial to determine what level of availability is required and what service offerings are actually available in the event of a failure.
The recommendation: Companies should not invest solely in the least amount possible, but exactly as much as is necessary for their needs. A higher initial investment may be worthwhile if it simplifies ongoing operations, reduces risk of failure, or avoids additional personnel costs.
„We never want to pay more than is necessary for something, but just as much as is necessary.“
Dr. Christian Attinger, Customer Success Manager at accompio
A network infrastructure is usually used for several years. Therefore, when selecting it, it is important to consider how the company may develop in the future. New locations, increasing data volumes, changing work models, or additional applications can significantly change the requirements.
A scalable architecture can be expanded as needed without completely rebuilding the network. The long-term perspective on the manufacturer is also important: companies should consider whether the solution is likely to evolve further and whether support and spare parts will remain reliably available.
The choice also depends on the decision between cloud management and on-premises operation. Cloud-based management can Administration They can simplify things and provide a central overview. Companies with regulatory requirements or special requirements regarding data ownership, on the other hand, may have reasons to operate certain systems locally.
In addition, it is worth taking a look at financing. Not every company necessarily needs to own hardware itself. Depending on the business model, ongoing operating expenses (OpEx) can offer advantages over a high one-time investment (CapEx) when it comes to liquidity and budget planning. What matters most is which model best suits the economic and technical requirements.
accompio supports companies in analyzing their requirements, selecting suitable architectures, and planning a sustainable network solution.
Successful network selection begins with the requirements of the company – not with a specific manufacturer, the highest possible performance specifications, or the lowest price.
A thorough analysis helps to determine the actual needs, incorporate security requirements, and avoid unnecessary investments. At the same time, companies should consider operating costs, existing administrative resources, and the long-term development of their infrastructure.
The most important question is therefore not: Which network solution is the best? But: Which network solution supports our business processes today and can be meaningfully developed further tomorrow?
Christian supports companies in analyzing existing network structures and planning a powerful, secure, and economically sensible network solution.
Companies should first analyze their business processes, work models, performance requirements, and security needs. A network assessment helps assess the current state and find a solution that fits the actual needs.
In addition to the purchase price, there are costs associated with administration, support, maintenance, and troubleshooting. A solution that initially appears more affordable can become more expensive in the long run if it causes more manual effort or brings higher risk of downtime.
Networks must be able to control access, secure identities, and limit the spread of security incidents. Therefore, security requirements should be factored into the architecture design from the outset.
A network assessment is an analysis of the existing network infrastructure and its requirements. It considers, for example, utilization, architecture, applications, and business processes, creating a solid foundation for planning and investment.
This depends on the requirements. Cloud-based management can simplify central administration. On-premises solutions can be useful when regulatory requirements, operational constraints, or data sovereignty requirements dictate this.
