Make Sure Internet Connectivity Solutions Meet Business Needs

I am amazed by all the options available to today's business community as long as you are located in a somewhat populated community. Being an Internet connectivity solutions provider, I've been able to design and implement several Internet solutions that meet client's business needs. Internet connectivity has developed for many businesses to be more and require more than just choosing the best rate for the greatest connection speeds. I recommend considering the following:

Reliability
Redundancy
Efficient Utilization
Remote Office Connectivity
Scalability

Reliability is a major concern because Internet connectivity is the lifeline to clients and productivity for most of today's businesses. If your business can't afford to be down, then you may require an Internet connection that has defined Service Level Agreement (SLA) terms as found in T1 circuits.

Redundancy may go hand in hand with your reliability requirements. Depending on the size of your business, redundancy may be met by having a Cellular 3G Card on hand at all times. For larger organizations, a backup broadband connection or T1 might be required to offer the necessary redundancy that is required. If redundancy is important, then I recommend Internet connectivity solutions that implement a dual carrier, dual delivery approach when possible. For example, two T1s from different carriers may still ride over the same Local Loop network which still offers a single point of failure. Where as a T1 and a Cable broadband connection offers two separate paths and two separate carriers.

Efficient Utilization means that I recommend leveraging both your voice and data connectivity requirements in one common connection. Through the use of Voice Over IP (VoIP) deliver strategies found in many new small business telecommunications implementations, PRI T1s and Internet T1s can be combined. The combined connection can be programmed to meet peak demands of both types of use.

Remote Office Connectivity requirements should be considered simultaneously with the main HQ location. Advance Internet connectivity solutions such as MPLS networks can be utilized to connect multiple facilities (typically more than 3-5 locations). I have worked with clients that have over thirty geographically diverse locations all over the United States that implemented an MPLS Network that carried both their voice and data at a highly reduced reoccurring monthly costs over their previous data only interconnection strategy. As with all complex implementations, it requires proper design and implementation to be successful.

Scalability is often overlooked. All good Internet connectivity solutions should take into consideration a communication growth projection analysis. Depending on the company size, growth projections might dictate the need for greater bandwidth over the next few years. If so, look into adjustable bandwidth products such as DS3 Circuit, Ethernet Over Copper or Fiber Connectivity. These products typically allow for easy bandwidth increases. I also recommend that all good Internet connectivity solutions should also review equipment scalability as well as circuit scalability. For instance, it might be cheaper to purchase a larger router up front with the ability to add extra T1 cards than to purchase a lower model limited expansion model.

The next time you are in the market to get one or many of your facilities connected to the Internet, allow some time to review the greater connectivity strategy. Hopefully, these five points will allow you to select the correct Internet connectivity solutions for your business.

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