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| Making the move: migrating to an IP future |
September 2, 2004 |
By Karen Sheriff
Autumn is here and the migration has begun. A few pathfinders are taking the lead. Tomorrow, more will follow. Soon they’ll be flocking to migrate. And I’m not talking about birds headed south for the winter.
Across Canada this fall, small and medium businesses are starting to make the move to the new world of Internet Protocol ( IP). And if you think about it, these early IP adopters do have something in common with our feathered friends —good instincts. They will be the first to benefit from the improved productivity, flexibility and cost effectiveness offered by this single network platform.
How does it work? An IP virtual private network (VPN) has three components. A dynamic central network provides the core connections.
On top of that, providers offer edge routing which integrate that core connectivity with the third component, the end-user’s own network.
Basically, IP provides a common protocol so that with a simple Ethernet fibre or DSL pipe, a company can seamlessly integrate its legacy IT systems and telecom with new IP applications, while gaining access to the advantages of wireless data solutions. Wide Area Networks (WANs) enabled by IP let employees, suppliers and business partners instantly and securely exchange voice, data and video across the country or around the world. Companies can connect geographically distant offices and remote users with all the ease and economy of Voice Over IP (Vo IP) and benefit from instant high-volume data exchange, plus real-time collaboration and video conferencing. IP can also offer inherent security features that ensure your business data traffic is isolated from other networks and always remains protected and private. Secure high-speed data exchange is ideal for the retail, manufacturing, health and public sectors, which constantly share confidential information between multiple locations across the country.
Simplicity, especially when compared to legacy systems, gives IP its power and elegance. For example, now with the easy installation of a router on the premises, small and medium businesses can instantly and securely interact with all the other communities of interest in the company, which have also been connected to the private network. Productivity benefits can be found in inventory control and production chain, point-of-sale transactions with centralized promotional and business application updates, and in an ever-expanding list of other areas. And all of this can be accomplished on a customized and scalable system that allows for flexible bandwidth and greater control over a company’s telecom spend.
Is it time for your company’s migration?
Ask yourself a few key questions.
1) Is my company’s network critical to our business operations? Network-centric operations have the most to gain from an early migration to IP.
2) Do we have multiple or distant offices, retail locations, suppliers and partners? Enhancements like IP-powered WANs make distance disappear and drive productivity with enhanced communication and applications.
3) Do we have changing data traffic patterns? Bandwidth on demand can offer responsive, self-administered flexibility and scalability.
4) Is network management part of our core business? Consider whether maintaining infrastructure and security is driving or dragging your productivity.
5) What systems and tools do we want to invest in? Limited IT capital must be strategically targeted to allow for future growth.
6) Would moving to IP increase my company’s presence and productivity?
Dynamically integrating voice, data and video onto one platform of total connectivity makes Internet Protocol the unchallenged future of business communication. Companies that have seen that future are eagerly leading the way. Don’t let your business go south—get a head start on the competition by talking to a trusted technology advisor. You’ll soon discover the best migration route for your company to the inviting and productive world of IP.
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