What to Look for in a SolarWinds Training Provider

 

As the network administrator, you are responsible for keeping the gears of your company’s network running. Every computer, router and cable is part of your domain. However, if you’re having difficulty managing that domain efficiently, it is costing both you and your company a lot of time and money.

 

You know that software must be installed and configured correctly and that doesn’t happen perfectly the first time and sometimes not after several attempts.  It’s one thing to get software working at 50 percent capacity. However to truly get the most out of any software, specific product training can be necessary.

 

Without training, you can have things running with just a few bumps, jolts and delays. However with training, you can be utilizing every feature of your software. As you know effective installation of the software allows you to take advantage of its capabilities for a smother functioning network. You would be able to manage problems and be proactive with their resolution before a crisis develops. 

 

Little mistakes can create major problems. With proper network software training, you greatly reduce the chance of mistakes. However, not all software trainers are created equal. If you’re not careful in choosing where you go, you end up wasting a lot of time and money on a course that doesn’t teach you anything you didn’t already know. Here are a few things to avoid when you’re looking for a SolarWinds training provider.  

 

1) Avoid large classes for optimum SolarWinds training

 

Do you remember those general education courses in college, like Psychology 101 or General Biology or American History from 1607-1799? Those auditorium-sized classrooms held hundreds of students and only one teacher. You were merely a face in the crowd. You couldn’t get individual attention during class time. Most of what you learned, you had to learn on your own.

 

When it comes to SolarWinds training, large classes are a big no-no. When you’re trying to learn all the features, shortcuts and quirks of software, it’s detrimental to be sitting in a crowd. You’ll be less likely to get the instructor’s attention for any length of time, and getting help is difficult when you are practicing with the software.

 

With small classes, fewer people will be competing for your instructor’s attention and you’ll have a better chance of getting to use the software with the Instructors help. You’ll be able to get individualized attention, with somebody there to answer all the questions you have. This isn’t the kind of training that you can get from a book or a large lecture hall.

 

2) Don’t waste time with untrained trainers

 

Imagine taking a seat the first day of your SolarWinds training course and being ready to soak up all you can about the software. Your instructor gets up and starts to speak, and ten minutes into the class, you’re convinced that you know more about the software than he does.

 

It should go without saying that inexperienced trainers will hurt you more than help you. To say it will make your time at the course a complete waste is an understatement. If you’re spending time and money on a training course, you deserve to be taught.

 

3) Move on if they don’t have individual SolarWinds training

 

Sometimes it’s difficult to glean everything you need from classes, even if they’re smaller ones. One-on-one training is an important service for a SolarWinds network training provider to offer their clients.

 

Their goal should be to teach you everything they know about the software so that you’re operating as good as you can be.  If they don’t offer one-on-one training, then they are impeding that goal. Look around until you find a training provider that does offer one-on-one training.

 

4) No on-site training

 

There are times when it’s just not possible for you to take off from work for a few days in order to get software training. This is when it’s important that your SolarWinds training provider comes to you. A training provider that isn’t willing to do this isn’t concerned with making sure you get the most out of your SolarWinds software.

 

With on-site training, you can be training on your own network, with a SolarWinds expert right beside you, showing you how software solutions correspond to real-world problems. They should also help you set up your network, if you need it. If the training providers you are researching don’t offer on-site training, move along.

 

With a complete practical and working knowledge of your SolarWinds software you can take advantage of the powerful Solarwinds software tools.  Don’t let little mistakes cost you. Start looking for proper SolarWinds network training today.

 

About the Author:

Stacey Crow is the sales manager for Corona Technical Services.

Sign up for their training course at http://www.coronaservices.net to learn all the ins and outs of the SolarWinds Orion network and make your life easier.