Digital transformation has necessitated reliable, high-speed, and secured network solutions for enhanced business operations. This also requires enterprises to streamline connectivity for optimized operations and enhanced productivity.
Network connections have transformed tremendously over the years to provide smooth, quality, and seamless communication. That notwithstanding, strong underlying technologies are needed to transport optimized network communication in the work environment and between devices. With that, businesses can decentralize data silos, improve data collection and sharing, enhance cybersecurity, and progress overall efficiency and productivity. Here are some technologies to streamline enterprise connectivity.
High-speed Internet Connectivity
High-speed internet connectivity is crucial in streamlining internet connectivity. With the high demand for digital transformation, businesses need high-speed internet to drive applications, systems, and devices. Depending on the connectivity needs, enterprises can go in for 5G, 5G, fiber optics, or broadband internet solutions. Having a high-speed internet connection for real-time collaboration, data sharing, file transfer, and cloud access, which overall improves productivity.
Software-defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN)
SD WANÂ optimizes network traffic and provides secured routing across a wide area of networks, including cellular, broadband, satellite links, and MPLS networks. This enhances network performance, reliability, and security in a cost-effective manner. SD-WAN delivers a centralized management platform that allows network administrators to configure and manage enterprise networks from one interface.
It employs intelligent traffic routing systems to direct network traffic based on software or application requirements. By incorporating WAN optimization techniques like compression, and deduplication, SD-WAN can limit data transmission over the network to improve application performance. The technology also comes with built-in security features like encryption and firewalls, which enhance systems.
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
Virtual Private Networks provide enterprises with secured connections over public networks. It offers a centralized control system enabling administrators to manage access and monitor network activity from a central location. This enables employees, especially the remote workforce, to easily access the company’s data and resources everywhere. With VPN solutions like Surfshark VPN, transmitted data are encrypted, making it secure and protected from cybercriminals.
That aside, it allows and optimizes network connections set across different locations. This enables enterprises with branches or virtual teams to easily collaborate, share files and resources and manage projects. VPN technology also reduces cost as it eliminates the traditional networking infrastructure needed for network transmission.
Software-defined Networking (SDN)
Software-Defined Networking allows enterprises to manage, configure and optimize networks in a centralized manner. It allows network administrators to separate the control plane from the data plane, ensuring centralized management and control of the network. This enables them to prioritize traffic and quickly adjust network resources to meet business requirements.
SDN has programmable interfaces making network automation, configuration, and task management easier by utilizing Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and software-based configuration. SDN also offers improved visibility, dynamic network resource allocation, rapid service deployment, enhanced scalability, and cost-effectiveness.
Cloud-based Tools
Cloud-based tools offer enterprises a scalable and flexible infrastructure that can help them to easily adapt to the changing business environment. With it, employees can have unique login credentials making it easier to collaborate no matter their location. Tools like video conferencing apps, project management tools, and document-sharing tools offer real-time collaboration among your workforce.
With cloud-based tools, employees can have centralized assess to data, files, applications, and enterprise resources everywhere they are. It enhances network scalability and integration effort.
Internet of Things (IoT)
With the Internet of Things, enterprises can streamline connectivity by integrating applications, devices, systems, equipment, and anything that has network connectivity embedded in them. This enhances communication, data collection, and sharing between devices over the internet. This provides enterprises with real-time insight into whatever happens.
IoT improves connectivity, drives automation efforts, has tracking abilities, and can help businesses monitor the performance of devices and equipment.
Software as a Service (SaaS)
Using Software as a Service offers enterprises the opportunity to use cloud-based applications and systems, reducing complexity and improving connectivity. SaaS solutions help enterprises to cut cost as it eliminates the need for onsite infrastructure. It provides enterprises with centralized access to their data and application for easy access from anywhere.
SaaS solutions are very easy to integrate into existing systems, update and maintain. It also comes with enhanced security and compliance, and it’s also cost-effective.
Network and Data Security
As enterprises seek to streamline connectivity, network and data security should also be a top priority. Enterprises must therefore employ cutting-edge data and network security solutions to protect data from cybersecurity threats. Solutions may include firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS), and cybersecurity compliance.
Conclusion
Enterprises can rely on any or a combination of two or more of the above technologies to effectively streamline enterprise connectivity. With that being said, there should be a careful and well-planned strategy to accommodate your choice of technology. Your choice should suit your business size and connectivity requirement while considering compatibility, performance, cost, and management. For optimal performance, ensure robust cybersecurity measures, regular updates and upgrades, and maintenance.
