The truth about networking for SMBs

BANGALORE, INDIA: To most small and medium sized businesses (SMBs), networking is an afterthought. In their desire to grow their businesses and generate revenues, they opt to concentrate on their core competencies and operations. Networking investment, unfortunately, is hardly prioritized.

That mindset may have worked back in the day when information processing was mostly manual and real time collaboration was totally unheard of, but not today when business survival and growth depends on the speedy time to market of innovative goods and services and cost efficient operation while supporting business expansion.

When it comes to supporting business growth, most SMBs overlook the fact that their needs are no different from those of large corporations, though the scale may vary.  

SMBs face critical business requirements that apply to enterprises of all sizes.  These include:

Access to Business Critical Information: SMBs need to instantly and reliably connect employees, customers, suppliers and partners to current, most updated information.

Real Time Collaboration: SMBs need to collaborate using a range of media —voice, data, and video, sharing knowledge and coordinating projects.

Productivity: SMBs’ business needs to be efficient and their workforce must be flexible, adaptable and responsive 24x7.

Networking empowers SMBs to meet these needs today, but since they are saddled with limited networking resources and support, their IT requirements must address management and cost issues while meeting their demand for enhanced efficiency and productivity.

An SMB realizes greatest business and technology benefits from IT solutions that are:

•  Easy to set up and use, whether wired or wireless

•  Secured against external and internal vulnerabilities

•  Affordable without reducing quality

•  Simple to integrate into the business

•  High performance, whether with data, voice, or video applications

•  Reliable and backed by strong warranties and service

Why a network switch?

A fundamental component of any business network is a network switch, which connects computer users together so they can communicate and share information over a local area network (LAN).

A network switch is based on Ethernet, a widely adopted standard for wiring, signaling and addressing, allowing users to readily connect a variety of devices using combination of physical connection points (ports) and software intelligence. It transmits information as “data packets”, which carry digital voice, video or data between client devices, including PCs, printers, IP cameras, IP phones and LAN devices such as servers, wireless access points, other switches and routers. 

However, how should SMBs decide what is the best one for their business needs?

Below are the seven questions to ask to make an accurate and informed buying decision:

How many ports do I need?

Find out how many ports you need by counting the number of user devices (PCs, Laptop, printers, etc.) and network devices (routers, servers, access point, etc.) and make room for growth by adding 15 per cent to the total number of existing ports.

What network speed does business require?

Find out how much bandwidth you require. Many business LANs still transfer packet traffic at 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps, but Gigabit connectivity transmitting data at 1000 Mbps is available to support video, voice or complex digital images (including Web 2.0 applications).

Do I need a managed switch?

Determine the level of control would you like to have over your network, including the degree of security that you want for your networked data and communications. A managed switch offers you higher performance and security configuration while an unmanaged switch, which is easier to set up, meets most small business needs.

Is Power over Ethernet useful for me?

Do you want your switch to provide electrical power to attached devices through the Ethernet cable? Power over Ethernet switch ports are especially useful for connecting devices such as wireless access points, IP security cameras and IP phones for flexible network design and installation, and cost and time savings of not needing to install a separate electrical cable. 

Will I benefit from voice ready switching?

Do you want a voice-ready switch that allows you to run voice traffic over your LAN and replace your traditional PBX or other telecommunications service, now or in the future? With an IP telephony system and IP phones, you can combine or “converge” your data and voice services into one secure digital network that interoperates with the public telephone system (PSTN) or a contracted VoIP service. Voice-ready switches also allow you to set priority for data traffic from other sources such as video surveillance or user group.

What form factor must I choose?

Do you want a desktop switch or a rack-mounted switch? Your choice of switch format depends on the layout of your work environment, your desire for quiet operation or need for physical security, and the number of switch ports you require. 

What are my business requirements?

Do you require greater security? Do you want the solution that is easy to install and affordable? Nobody knows your business more than you do and your business requirement is certainly most important when choosing a switch or other network equipment. The key is to identify your business pains and prioritize your network investments accordingly.

Network technology, and in particular, the network switch, are essential to running an efficient, competitive and cost-effective business. They let businesses instantly connect employees, customers, suppliers and other partners to information; collaborate using a range of media, voice, video and data, to share knowledge; and grow by making the business more efficient and flexible.

The author is regional product marketing manager, 3Com Asia Pacific