To enterprises, connected digital experiences are more important than ever, both to drive better customer experiences and support evolving employee work models. Whether it’s a quick serve restaurant offering customers self-ordering kiosks, a retailer embracing AI to check inventory availability in real-time, or a convenience store building a new loyalty program to attract customers while they charge their vehicles, seamless connectivity provides the backbone.
As enterprises work to keep up with rising expectations and changing work models, they are recognizing the importance of connectivity and data in increasing corporate resiliency. In fact, 81% of organizations are still prioritizing connectivity programs, according to IDC. Investing in connectivity that is seamless and agile will help enterprises not only adjust to current market demands but also lay the groundwork for what’s to come.
However, creating a future-proof network does not happen overnight. It requires creating a network that is flexible and up to speed to help businesses stay ahead of the curve. To work toward this model, businesses need a few key elements.
1. A versatile and agile network
Flexibility is key for businesses that want to keep up with new technology. They need networks that can evolve and meet changing demands. SD-WAN is one of the most important components enabling this versatility, as it can support various connections and networks and reduce latency.
SD-WAN can not only reduce costs but also improve performance and streamline networking capabilities. By using broadband to offload non-critical business apps, automate monitoring tasks, and manage traffic through a centralized controller, SD-WAN can increase agility and reduce network sprawl.
Multicloud adoption has also accelerated as enterprises seek agility, operational efficiency, and cost savings. As more organizations move toward this, it is becoming an even more important feature of SD-WAN. With cloud-enabled SD-WAN, customers and employees alike can directly access cloud applications regardless of location. This agility is instrumental in maintaining control over dynamic network edge environments.
2. Automated and application-aware networking
Automation, such as AI, is becoming mainstream in technology. It is now one of the biggest factors driving digital transformation. Intelligent networks, specifically application-aware networks, have built-in information and intelligence about applications and traffic patterns to help determine and manage connectivity needs. This in-depth functionality allows for more efficient networking.
As automation becomes more mainstream, many companies are turning to Artificial Intelligence for IT Operations (AIOps) and machine learning to collect data from multiple IT infrastructure components, app demands, performance-monitoring tools, and service ticketing systems. AIOps can then empower automation through predictive analytics and response.
As technology continues to advance, so does network complexity, so it is important to understand and implement these features to be future-ready.
3. Multi-transport and high-bandwidth
With technological advancements like AI, it’s easy to lose sight of basic, but critical technological factors, such as Internet speed. It is vital to have a strong connectivity foundation – reliable Internet connectivity is a prerequisite for success. Enterprise networks require multiple connectivity options, like broadband, converged fiber and cable, 5G, and private wireless. High bandwidth connectivity is typically necessary for enterprises as well to optimize performance and responsiveness, enabling real-time responsiveness and rapid evolution to better support technologies like AI.
4. Integrated solution approach
Every business is different. From restaurants to health care to retail, enterprises have unique needs. These ever-changing needs require multiple connectivity modes and related solutions. With integrated solutions or as-a-Service models, businesses receive numerous benefits. For one, there is a reduced time to benefit, as the software is already installed and configured. This eliminates installation time and improves efficiency. Integrated models also maximize performance and the quality of service for organizations. Applications continuously update to reduce downtime, increase productivity, and allow for effective monitoring. This approach saves money on operational, service maintenance, software, and infrastructure costs, as well.
5. A secure and reliable network
While security is often overlooked, all businesses must have a cybersecurity plan. The growing digital landscape and increased complexity of networking opens enterprises up to a variety of cybersecurity threats. As security threats evolve, organizations need full-spectrum support. Especially with remote and hybrid work models, networks need to protect themselves via numerous cybersecurity measures to ensure they’re protected now and in the future.
Organizations must pinpoint their digital assets and examine gaps in their current cybersecurity plans to determine what needs to be better protected. This includes advanced security with threat detection on-premises, cloud-based, or securing remote clients.
Powering new possibilities
Creating a future-ready network takes time, especially when expectations keep changing. As enterprises continue to prioritize meeting customer and employee expectations with seamless connectivity, they are learning that connectivity solutions must be able to adapt and remain future-proof. Many enterprises may not be equipped to deliver this because of outdated networking and connectivity infrastructures. Organizations working to become forward-looking will need to continually assess their network to understand how people, processes, and technology are working to ensure their technology resiliency and competitiveness remain on pace.
To do this, enterprises should prioritize a versatile, automated, and secure SD-WAN solution under a managed service model. Connected digital experiences will continue to be essential to enterprise businesses, both to drive better customer experiences and support evolving employee work models. Organizations that are powering these experiences with future-ready networks that are fast, reliable, and agile will be ready to power new possibilities.
