If it’s not broke, don’t fix it, right? That makes sense, except in the case of your network. If you’ve been thinking that your legacy data network works well enough, I urge you to think again. Legacy networking technologies, such as ATM and frame, typically cannot support the connectivity requirements of highly-distributed workloads and applications. Advanced IP networks can facilitate seamless communications between multiple business and data center locations. And in order to take advantage of the latest mobile applications, cloud computing, and Software as a Service (SaaS), moving to an IP-based network is crucial.
IP for small businesses
In the past, scalable multiservice IP networks have been thought of as an enterprise technology that small companies don’t necessarily need, but that is no longer the case. For optimal network performance, businesses of all sizes must be able to tune a network to prioritize applications and reallocate bandwidth. High speed broadband capabilities allow small businesses to leverage services such as VoIP, unified communications, and video conferencing, which are often available as competitively-priced bundled service offerings.
Consider your future needs
Once you decide to go this route, it’s important to think about your future requirements during implementation. Advanced IP network management requires a broader view of network requirements compared with legacy networks running a single type of traffic. And because MPLS and IP-based networks facilitate convergence, it’s vital to think about the different applications that will be flowing over the network and the extent to which they might have to compete for resources.
Choosing a provider
When seeking providers, companies should look at the reach and depth of their network. Smaller businesses, especially, are more likely to rely on broadband services, so the provider’s broadband footprint is important. Also take into account the provider’s experience, track record, and skill set related to building, operating, and upgrading large-scale advanced IP networks. Their expertise should also include security capabilities that are embedded in the core network architecture and integrated into the network transport and application offerings. Simple, yet flexible, pricing structures are also important.
When it comes to implementing an advanced IP network, the time to do it is right now. There are so many ways your organization can benefit. Download the whitepaper below for more details.