Connectivity Articles

For maximum efficiency, profitability, and success, organizations must modernize their network connectivity to keep pace with an increasingly complex digital world. As the technological landscape advances, new technologies, faster speeds, longer distances, and greater compatibilities are needed. For example, according to a recent Gartner analysts report, more than 85% of organizations will embrace a Cloud-first principle by 2025  but they will not be able to fully execute their digital strategies without the use of Cloud-native architectures and technologies.

This accelerated quest for digital transformation is driving a greater focus on network connectivity. From on-premises servers to public Clouds and edge data centers, networks connect every aspect of an organization’s backbone, including outside vendors and today’s hybrid workforce with employees at multiple remote locations or branch offices.

Organizations will struggle to adapt to accelerating demands and achieve their overall goals if network connectivity is not modernized. In a report by NTT, nearly half of businesses' network infrastructure assets were aging or obsolete, significantly reducing their network’s ability to deliver what the businesses needed. 

The first step to modernizing is to evaluate the existing connectivity network infrastructure and systems to determine how it is, or is not, meeting current and future needs. By asking the right questions, you can assess where there are gaps and then choose solutions that can best support business success today and into the future.

• Are you prepared to support a hybrid workforce?
• How much bandwidth and performance optimization is needed?
• Do you have/need Unified Communications?
• Will your Cloud connectivity be able to handle ever-changing demands?
• Do you have enough connectivity security to protect your network and data?
• Do you have a comprehensive Business Continuity Plan that can also evolve?

To best answer these questions, consider the critical role network architecture design plays. The network should be agile and flexible enough to meet the needs of a demanding environment of applications and services without any connectivity issues. It must be built considering all the critical areas of the business application landscape, the Cloud services in use, and the traffic patterns.

Top Areas for Potential Upgrades

Connectivity

Take into account scale and speed, flexibility, optimized Cloud integration, and strong security to keep up with business demands.

• Increased bandwidth and bandwidth allocation to support more remote locations and video-based applications without sacrificing speed.
   

  Increase bandwidth to meet demands without sacrificing speed

   
• Cost-effective burstable bandwidth connectivity for brief periods of high usage
• Bandwidth on demand for growth flexibility
• Long haul connectivity to help support remote workers
• Secure and redundant Cloud connectivity with performance-optimized bandwidth

Unified Communications for Voice

Upgrade technological infrastructure to ensure that your onsite, remote, and hybrid workers can effectively collaborate and communicate.

• Reliable, quality voice service
   

  Upgrade technologies to keep pace with your hybrid workforce

   
• Seamless communication synching employees’ mobile apps with desk phones
• Comprehensive, clear, and reliable video conferencing
• Security for UC traffic

Security

There needs to be enough protections in place to protect your entire network, especially as employees move back to the office, even if at least part-time.

• DDoS Protection
• Security for a mobile environment
• WiFi security
• Managed services for security expertise and reduced internal costs

Business Continuity

Some items to consider when updating your Business Continuity Plan

• Diverse connectivity routes
   

  Get enough protections in place to protect your entire network

   
• SLAs from your connectivity provider to match your risk level
• Uptime needs
• Support, including advanced network monitoring

Building a modern infrastructure is not a one-time project. It must be flexible and incorporate technologies that can evolve to meet changing business needs. At Lightpath, our consultative approach means we work with you to design, deliver, and support solutions to best meet your unique needs for today and into the future. We are more than a network provider, we are your Strategic Network Partner. Visit lightpathfiber.com to learn how the Lightpath difference can help your organization.