Network services are integral to every business, no matter its size. Whether you are responsible for the workings of a small entrepreneurial company or a large data center, a dependable and productive network is vital for efficient communication, proper access to critical information, and executing daily operations. However, with the evolving demand for secure and faster-moving networks, SMBs may find it challenging to keep pace with the latest innovations in technology.
As we look forward to 2024, let’s examine some best practices to optimize network services, maximize network performance and keep operations productive.
Strategies for enhanced productivity may include:
- Invest in Hardware Upgrades: Network performance relies upon the quality and capacity of the hardware being utilized. Old or obsolete hardware, such as routers, network switches, and cables, may not work seamlessly with contemporary network applications and devices, causing reduced speeds and inadequate connectivity. Making the investment in state-of-the-art network hardware can greatly improve network performance by reducing latency and offering more stable connections. Cutting-edge hardware also is more likely to incorporate advanced security features to protect your business from cyber attacks.
- Upgrade Network Software: Maintaining current software can enhance network performance and security, as well as deliver additional features. Software updates often fix glitches, bugs and vulnerabilities that compromise networks, and introduce improvements that positively impact speed and reliability. As cyber threats evolve, software developers work continuously to develop protocols that protect networks against the latest iterations of malware, viruses, and other nefarious attacks. Timely software updates can also enhance the overall user experience and facilitate more efficient workloads.
- Incorporate Load Balancing: Load balancing is used to more evenly allocate network traffic across several servers during peak times. Load balancing reduces the workload of individual servers and works to relieve network congestion. Typically, a single server may not be capable of handling all of the incoming traffic, resulting in slow response times or hardware crashes. By distributing the load across many servers, the load balancing process guarantees that network resources are used effectively and are more productive.
- Implement Network Monitoring: Network tracking offers informative insight into how network performance is trending. By monitoring key performance metrics, the inhouse IT team will be able to identify patterns that may point to possible problems. Monitoring can assist in network optimization by informing decisions regarding capacity planning, infrastructure upgrades, and other strategic initiatives. Network monitoring resources and tools can help IT personnel to identify performance issues and diagnose the root cause more quickly. This process can help reduce network outages, enhance network performance, and minimize the loss of productivity, revenue, and customer satisfaction.
- Utilize Quality of Service (QoS): Quality of Service (QoS) is a networking feature that gives companies the ability to prioritize specific network traffic, depending on unique network needs. Prioritizing video or voice data allows critical data to flow with as little delay as possible, setting aside less vital data until bandwith is free. One of the more significant benefits of QoS is that it helps to avoid network bottlenecks that can occur when too much data is traveling over a network. By assigning priority to critical types of data, QoS facilitates the movement of critical data through the network.
- Integrate Redundancy: Network engineering utilizes redundancy to establish backup systems or create alternate routes for network traffic. Redundancy guarantees that a network remains operational and productive even if there is a component failure. This is especially critical for companies that significantly rely on network infrastructure uptime – such as hospitals, financial institutions, e-commerce websites and emergency services. Redundancy may be achieved by emplying duplicate equipment, setting up backup power, or creating additional paths for network traffic.
- Partner with an MSP (Managed Service Provider): MSPs deliver professional services for the management and maintenance of the IT network, allowing onsite personnel to focus on other vital areas of the organization. MSPs can manage your network infrastructure, providing monitoring and maintenance for servers, routers, switches, firewalls, and more. By outsourcing these items to a managed service provider, organizations can free up their own people to concentrate on other important areas of their operations. MSPs keep a staff of highly trained and certified professionals to manage and maintain network resources, ensuring that issues are identified and dealt with before significant disruptions can take place.Partnering with an MSP gives businesses access to the most current technologies and network management best practices – without requiring large investments in hardware, software, and personnel. MSPs can help companies to save money, minimize downtime, and bolster productivity.
If your business is looking to maximize productivity and become more efficient in 2024, call Alliance IT. We are happy to explain how partnering with us can help your company to make the most of its IT resources in the new year.
