Networking solutions include your company’s servers, devices, and endpoints that are all connected in order to share data. You use your network for internal and external communication, and a poorly designed network will make it hard to maintain the efficiency, productivity, and security of your business.
Choosing the right networking solutions for your organization will streamline your business services and make it easier to collaborate securely and create efficient workflows. Here are some of the most important factors to consider when choosing your networking solutions.
Evaluate Your Office Environment
The first thing you should consider is where your office is located. A small, single floor office may not need the same networking solutions as a huge, multi-story office building. If you operate your business out of your home or in a co-working space, your networking needs will be different than if you work in a remote, rural area with limited connectivity. Your networking infrastructure should account for your geographic location, physical challenges, and future goals.
Be Aware of Security Threats
Next, consider what security threats could affect your network security. A data breach or network intrusion could not only put your data and customer information at risk, but it could also ruin your company’s reputation, shut you down, or cause you to incur fines or even face a lawsuit. Network security features will protect your network from internal and external attacks, including employee malfeasance or incompetence.
Ensure You Have the Right Bandwidth
The next thing you want to consider is your network bandwidth. How many employees do you have, and how many will be online using your network at the same time (even if they are working remotely)? Your ISP should work seamlessly with your network so that you can accommodate high or fluctuating volumes of traffic and avoid downtime or inefficiencies.
Choose the Right Type of Network
Now you can think about the type of network that is right for your business:
- VPN – A traditional VPN is the most commonly used business networking solution. It creates a secure, encrypted path between a device and a network.
- Zero Trust – A Zero Trust network is one that assumes no user or device is trustworthy. It offers a much higher level of security than other options.
- Overlay – An overlay network is one that exists on top of existing network infrastructure and offers flexible security and greater control.
Hire an IT Consultant for Ongoing Maintenance
You should hire an IT consultant to provide ongoing network maintenance. An IT consultant will ensure that you have the right network for your company’s needs, the network is set up correctly, and the network is scalable and can evolve and grow along with your needs. They will also perform regular audits and maintenance to maintain peak performance.
Our team at MTC offers networking solutions for businesses of all sizes, across industries. We pride ourselves on being problem solvers and finding affordable, efficient, and secure solutions for any situation. We can help you save time and money and avoid frustration by designing a flexible, scalable network for your company. Call us today or contact us online to get started.