Blueprint for Network Observability Success in 2026

This IDC Market Perspective discusses rising demands for network observability. Networks are growing in criticality and complexity. And yet, of all digital infrastructure technology domains, the network is the most static of resources. Change is hard. Change is risky. Needed changes can go unnoticed. Network observability solutions and their associated suppliers are required to deliver on many vital fronts to assure networking success for IT organizations. These fronts include technology innovation, delivery initiatives, solution integration, and operational impact. Advancing along one or two fronts and holding steady or falling back along others is not a winning strategy. Just as the bar has been raised for the network in this AI-driven digital era, so too has the bar been raised for suppliers aiming to succeed in network observability. Advancing on all fronts - equally - is required."Network observability represents a giant leap from traditional network performance monitoring. Advanced network observability solutions provide far more depth and breadth in coverage and capabilities, play a far more active role in operating and optimizing the network, and drive far greater impact on the network, on the broader digital infrastructure, on the business, and last but not at all least, the networking staff and the entire IT organization," says Mark Leary, director, Network Observability and Automation, IDC. "The pressure is squarely on suppliers to deliver on all the promises of network observability. More than an innovation challenge, suppliers must advance both solution development and delivery. This ensures that IT organizations are not only provided with the best technology solution but also are able to put the solution to best use."