Centralized Log Management
Collect Log Data & Make It Usable
All logs in one place
Servers, networks, applications, and the cloud are all integrated centrally, rather than scattered across multiple systems.
Instantly searchable
Full-text search across all sources: Answers in seconds instead of an SSH marathon through individual log files.
Storage requirements met
Defined deadlines and audit-proof record-keeping form the basis for audits and compliance with documentation requirements.
The choice is yours
Whether it’s the Community Edition or licensed Enterprise features, we’ll set up the plan that best fits your needs and budget.
A Foundation for More Than Just Logging
Proper log management also serves as the foundation for SIEM, alerting, and analytics.
On-Prem or Managed
In your own data center or as a managed service through NETWAYS Web Services in Germany—the choice is yours!
The Problem with Unstructured Logs
Logs are generated everywhere. Without log management, they remain scattered, unstructured, and unsecured—which is of no help in the event of a system failure or during an audit.
Logs scattered everywhere
Every server and every application generates its own logs. In an emergency, you’ll be searching ten places at once and won’t find the answer in time.
Missing Records & Documentation
Without a central pipeline, there is no consistent history. This quickly becomes a problem during audits and subsequent troubleshooting.
High Costs
Volume-based SaaS billing and vendor lock-in cause costs to rise along with the volume of logs, without you retaining control over your data.
How we work with you
Four steps will guide you to a fully functional, searchable log pipeline that’s up and running.
Analysis & Concept
We'll clarify the fundamentals of your log management: log sources, volume, and requirements for retention and compliance.
→ You collect only what you need.
Setup & Integration
We set up Graylog or Elastic for data collection and processing, as well as for searching and storage, and integrate your data sources.
→ A central pipeline instead of scattered log files and individual scripts.
Commissioning & Evaluation
→ Get answers in seconds instead of sifting through individual log files.
Support & Operations
Upon request, we can fully operate the pipeline, either on-premises or as a managed service via NETWAYS Web Services. Alternatively, provide support to your team during normal operations.
→ The pipeline remains stable and scales along with the log volume.
How Your Log Pipeline Works
Your log pipeline goes through four stages that are interlinked and can be implemented step by step: ingestion, processing, analysis, and storage.
Collect & Record
Result: No more searching in ten different places.
Organize & Structure
Raw logs are parsed, normalized, and enriched so that data from different sources can be compared.
Result: Chaos is transformed into usable fields.
Search & Analyze
Result: Responses in seconds instead of hours.
Retain & Document
Result: Compliance with documentation requirements without additional effort.
Here’s what centralized log management offers you
Responses in seconds, compliance ensured, costs under control.
Answers in seconds
Full-text search across all logs, rather than manually sifting through individual files, drastically reduces the time needed for troubleshooting.
Compliance Met
Retention periods, supporting documentation, and audit trails are reliably covered, ensuring you’re prepared for any audit.
Keeping Costs Under Control
You choose the plan that best fits your log volume—open source or licensed—and retain control over your data. This way, costs remain predictable, even as volume increases.
What is your logging solution built with?
Proven open-source components, operated in-house or through NETWAYS Managed Services. You decide what you’ll do yourself and what NETWAYS will handle.
Elastic
A powerful search engine as an alternative or supplement, including Kibana for analysis and visualization.
OpenSearch
Graylog
Grafana
Cross-source dashboards spanning logs and metrics, providing a unified view of operations and analytics.
We’ll integrate what you’re already using with
Log management is only as good as its sources and its analysis. A selection of the systems we typically work with.
Log Sources
- Server (Linux/Windows)
- Syslog
- Firewalls
- Cloud
- Applications
Storage & Search
- Elastic
- Object Storage (S3)
- OpenSearch
Operations & Compliance
- On-premises
- NWS Cloud (EU)
- Retention Periods
- Audit Trails
Recording & Pipeline
- Graylog
- Fluentd
- Logstash
- Vector
- Beats
Analysis & Dashboards
- Grafana
- Kibana
- OpenSearch Dashboards
- Alerting
Questions & Answers
Frequently Asked Questions About This Solution
What is centralized log management?
Log management consolidates log data from all systems—such as servers, networks, applications, and the cloud—into a single, central location. There, they are processed, made searchable, and retained for specified periods. Instead of searching each system individually, you have a single, analyzable database.
What is a log pipeline?
A log pipeline describes the path a log takes: capture, processing (including parsing and normalization), storage in a searchable database, and finally analysis and retention. Graylog typically handles ingestion and processing, while OpenSearch handles storage and search.
How long do I have to keep logs?
How long you need to keep logs depends on your industry, the purpose, and legal requirements. You often keep pure operational logs for only a few weeks, whereas data relevant to security or audits is retained for much longer. It is important to set deadlines deliberately and ensure they are technically enforced. We'll work with you to define the appropriate retention policies and implement them in the pipeline.
Graylog vs. Elastic: Which One Is Right for Me?
Whether Graylog or Elastic is right for you depends on your use case. Graylog stands out for its easy data ingestion, processing, and a user interface tailored to log management. Elastic and OpenSearch are very powerful when it comes to searching and analyzing large amounts of data. People often combine the two: Graylog for the pipeline, and OpenSearch as the storage and search backend. We provide manufacturer-neutral recommendations based on your specific application.
What distinguishes log management from a SIEM?
The difference between log management and a SIEM lies in their range of features. Log management collects, searches, and stores logs—that's the foundation. A SIEM builds on this and adds security-focused correlation, detection rules, and response capabilities. A clean log pipeline is therefore often the first step on which a SIEM can later be built.
Do you also offer log management as a managed service?
We also offer log management as a managed service. The pipeline can run either in your own data center or as a managed service provided by NWS from Germany. With the Managed service, NETWAYS handles setup, updates, scaling, and availability; you simply use the search and reporting features.
Is NETWAYS TISAX-certified?
Yes, we have been TISAX-certified since October 2025. If you work in the automotive supply chain and your logs must meet documentation and retention requirements, our TISAX® certification covers exactly this area. Learn more about TISAX consulting services from NETWAYS.
