Communications infrastructure is best understood as the technology, products and network connections that allow for the transmission of communications over large distances. From single-purpose networks, to the advent of converged, multi-purpose networks, the category is continually evolving. As new infrastructure capabilities emerge, they enable the use of cutting-edge technologies to power business innovation.
The Evolution of Communications Infrastructure
Voice, audio, data, and video; these once completely singular communication media are now commonly deployed across one converged network. This integration of multiple media is increasingly important to enterprises as they pursue ways to optimize expenditure, minimize operational cost, and maximize the scope of their project.
As new end-to-end technologies are developed to exploit the availability of high-speed, high capacity networks, maintaining infrastructure integrity is critical to the company’s success. Whether it is a customer-based product or an operational solution being deployed, each new project hinges on the ability of the existing communications infrastructure to reliably support the proposed innovation.
Increase Your Research and Development Potential
Increased network capacity and stability means that executives can assertively set long-term business goals with confidence. A modern communications infrastructure underpins the development of efficient solutions to real world problems and ensures that research and development is only limited by the ideas being explored, not by the resources available to realize them.
Modern Communications Infrastructure streamlines Communication Flow
With modern infrastructure, in-house interdisciplinary projects are easily achievable. From pilot programs to product launches, integrated business operations are readily delivered across large geographical distances.
Instantaneous access to comprehensive analytics means management can oversee projects to completion in real time, while improved communications capacity delivers the flexibility to explore new partnerships for innovative opportunities, enables active engagement from relevant leadership, and facilitates team engagement.
Competitive Advantage
As new technologies are deployed, B2B and B2C commerce potential is more powerful. The ability to process information faster and more efficiently gives businesses the competitive advantage necessary for today’s marketplace.
Direct access to core business metrics, powerful communication platforms, and increased management potential are all built upon the capacity of the underlying system.
Collaborative Customer-Resource-Management (CRM) platforms, Partnership Resource Management (PRM) platforms, fully incorporated Point of Sale (POS) systems, and client-side enterprise software – these are all business-optimization tools that demand a stable infrastructure.
Why Upgrades Are Important To Your Communication Infrastructure
Greater Computing Density
Modern network architecture allows for greater storage and server density, which translates to more processing capacity in a smaller footprint. Running a higher workload on a smaller system might seem like overclocking, but built in redundancy and expansion capabilities in current architectures allow for easy expansion when it is needed.
The game-changing competitive advantage of modern technologies are only as great as the network that supports them. A high-availability, high-capacity network infrastructure ensures that projects of all sizes can be pursued.
Security
A properly configured network architecture safe-guards against malicious attacks and is vital to ensuring that daily business operations run smoothly. Updated systems keep security measures current to industry standards and prevent security breaches.
Even with newly installed infrastructure, periodic security assessments are critical to maintaining a secure network. Ensuring company personnel are attentive to security protocols can lend a great deal to maintaining a secure network.
With a regularly updated security stance, enterprise technologies and platforms can be safely implemented with confidence.
‘Future-Proofing’
Long term low-cost of ownership is delivered through regular updating of aging infrastructure. The longer infrastructure is depended on, the bigger the risk of network failure and the higher the cost of ongoing maintenance and support.
In a “low/no update” model, scaling up old infrastructure means resorting to ‘band-aid’ and ‘add-on’ installations to support the prevailing tech project of the day, whereas regular infrastructure upgrades are readily scalable and include built-in redundancy to support future technological innovations.
Business risk and associated cost is avoided by planning for regular infrastructure upgrades. For large organizations with complex infrastructure networks that span multiple locations, proper Survey-Documentation-Verification-Maintenance programs should be in place to facilitate infrastructure planning and upgrades.
This approach ensures that the enterprise’s communications infrastructure remains an enabler of business innovation and competitive advantage, rather than a barrier to competitiveness.
