3 Steps to Transform your Business with Next-Generation Networking

Transcription

1 e-guide The Wireless Revolution 3 Steps to Transform your Business with Next-Generation Networking

2 Welcome to the era of the Wireless Revolution! With easy access to technology, setting up a wireless network is far cheaper and easier than it was years ago. But now that the technology is within reach, the question becomes how do I use this to benefit my business? Trends like BYOD, CYOD, and enterprise mobility are fast gaining in acceptance, with the benefits of improved productivity and cost savings. They are no longer goodto-haves, they are need to-haves. All these are pointing to the rise of the Next Generation of networks. Here are three things to do to join in the revolution. 02

3 1 Adopt a better wireless standard We are used to seeing networks that are 80% wired and 20% wireless. That is changing. As more new devices enter the workplace, individual users devices increase from a single PC to a PC, a smartphone, and often a tablet too. Users demand the same performance across all their devices. Modern wireless networks are needed to provide enough bandwidth and density to keep the most demanding users happy. The good thing is that wireless networks cost far less to roll out than mostly-wired ones. They mean: Less cabling costs Less switch ports required Less devices being managed Current - traditional wired and wireless access networks USD 300,000 Wired network and wireless network for a 5-floor building with 100 users per floor cabling (140 points) plus 10 points for wireless access points 3x48-port switches fibre distribution switch (for 5 floors) install and configuration services wireless LAN controller (partial cost) Pros/cons fixed number of ports per switch each port dedicated to a single user Future - predominantly wireless access networks USD 120,000 Wireless network for a 5-floor building with 100 users per floor cabling (30 points) including some wired for some security systems etc. 1x48-port switches (with integrated controller function) fibre distribution switch (for 5 floors) install and configuration services Pros/cons lower power consumption lower cooling lower support costs flexible support due wireless healing secure Cost savings aside, wireless adoption gives people freedom from the office desk. This means the traditional ratio is being reversed. The networks of the future will be 80% wireless and 20% wired. 03

4 Current - traditional wired and wireless access networks Wireless LAN Controller 48-port LAN switches wireless networks ( devices) cabling (1 point per access point) smartphones tablets laptops wired network (100 users) cabling (140 points) IP phones printers video endpoints security systems Future - predominantly wireless access networks 48-port LAN switch with built in controller wireless networks ( devices) cabling (1 point per access point) smartphones tablets laptops printers video,etc. wireless network (10 users) cabling (20 points) video endpoints (some could be wireless) security systems To transition to the next generation of networks, you need a strong wireless standard - like ac, which ensures a better user experience for data, voice and video ac is superior to the past standards in 3 key areas: Speed Reliability Predictability ac can be up to 5X faster than its predecessors. Lower latency or jitter makes ac more steady ac gives consistent coverage and performance. A higher grade of wireless is the cornerstone for any your own device or mobility initiative. Do not overlook it when you plan for architectural trends. 04

5 2 Enable a mobile workforce ac makes it possible for a wireless network to support real-time traffic and bandwidth-intensive applications. Multimedia services, like video conferencing, depend on steady signal coverage and low jitter (shaky pulses). With ac, you can now enjoy all the advantages of mobility with audio/visual clarity, speed, and performance. But like any newer technology, it is important to consider how it fits into your business. Consider your mobility platform Look at your operating systems, business applications, and more. Determine if and how mobility makes a difference. Define your connectivity protocols n is only one of many wireless technologies. Work out if these varieties will be part of your strategy, and how. Determine your security strategy Wireless brings its own security concerns. Consider device security, access rights, protection of sensitive data, and more. Address your wireless management To ensure the success and growth of your wireless setup, it s critical to know how to monitor and support it fully. However, having better wireless is just the first step. Enterprise mobility involves interdependency between your users, devices, networks, security, operations, and applications. To guide you in developing an enterprise mobility framework, you need to understand these: Your end users needs and expectations regarding mobility. The diversity of smart devices your business needs to support. An agile network to provide seamless experience from on campus Wi-Fi, to branch office LANs, to mobile broadband networks. 05

6 A security strategy that covers policies, technology, and people. An operational excellence model to support users in governance, operational systems and strategic initiatives. Which applications to mobilise - productivity, social, or others. Your architecture, systems, and business processes need to be in sync with your mobility strategy, in order to chart the way forward. 3 Prepare for cloud operations A key thrust of the wireless revolution is the cloud. Wireless gives people the power to work anywhere in the office, but the cloud means, literally, working anywhere. Many flock to the excitement and promise of cloud computing, but forget that none of that can exist without proper planning and design. To make the cloud work for you, you will need these. A robust network The network is the foundation of any cloud setup. Working in the cloud generates a lot of extra traffic, which the network has to be able to cope with. Neglecting your network will place it under tremendous pressure, negating expected benefits. Specialised switching General-purpose switches (like the common Catalyst switch) are no longer useful in a network that needs to support virtual infrastructure. There are now many specialised switches built for individual functions. You need to know which ones you need. 06

7 WAN optimisation The performance of the WAN is critical to cloud operations. Data transfers run faster and more efficiently when the WAN is optimised. This translates to consistent service and a smooth user experience. A specialist partner Partner with specialists who know the business. They should be able to offer not only procurement, logistics and integration services, but also consulting, to meet your unique requirements. Having a good, knowledgeable partner will help clarify where your business stands, as well as plot out future goals. There is more than mobility at play in the market there is a fundamental shift in computing from desktop-centric towards user-centric. By freeing users from fixed devices, and then freeing devices from data, employees can be productive with any device, anywhere. That is where the wireless revolution is leading to - the Next Generation Network. See how the computing model of the future boosts productivity and saves costs for your business. Request a consultation with Dimension Data at [email protected] today. 07

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