As digital transformation continues, business dependency on the network increases. Data is needed everywhere. It needs to be stored in the cloud; accessed by mobile devices; used in big data projects. Internet of Things devices collect and transmit data constantly.

For the network to support those demands, it needs to:

Increase capacity at the edge.

Computing is no longer in the data center. Network issues are less about capacity at the business core and more about capacity at distributed endpoints.

Leverage Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi speeds can be equal to those of wired connections, and many mobile and IoT devices only support Wi-Fi. Businesses need to ensure Wi-Fi access throughout their premises for those devices to function.

Provide security everywhere.

Firewalls were effective when there was a single entry point to the network. With IoT, mobile, and cloud computing, there are multiple entry points, all of them needed to be protected.

Offer flexibility.

Digital transformation means being able to quickly react to changes in the market. In order to be agile enough to respond, the network can’t be hardwired; it needs to be software defined.

Be visible.

Because the network is so important to a digitally transformed business, it needs to be highly supportable. This means there needs to be a high level of visibility into the traffic on the network and where it’s coming from. Network activity needs to be monitored and reacted to in real-time.

Use automation.

Critical services can’t wait for a person to get around to provision and support them. Digital services, including networks, need to be available as needed, when they’re needed. This means IT teams need to use a high level of automation to ensure processes are correctly completed, without delays.

Be API-driven.

As networks become software based, they need to offer services like any other software: through APIs. Network engineers need to become familiar with the available networking APIs and start using them, rather than writing complex scripts.

Update with new capabilities.

Existing, aging network equipment needs to be replaced with modern equipment with capabilities that meet today’s business needs.

Whether supporting an existing network or designing and implementing a new network to support digital transformation, network services from Prescient Solutions ensure businesses have a secure network with the capacity the business needs. Contact Prescient Solutions to learn more about how improving your network can help you achieve business goals.