Changes in the way in which people do business could require the installation of leased lines if firms want to ensure a reliable network.
For example, recent research form Citrix Online has revealed that nearly one in five businesses are adopting secure remote access software, such as remote IT tools and web conferencing solutions. These applications can quickly start to increase the pressure on the network provider, especially if they have not updated their service in some time.
But they also bring substantial benefits when doing business. As Andrew Millard, senior director of marketing in the EMEA region at Citrix, explained: “By seizing the opportunities which a ‘work anywhere, with anyone’ approach offers – for example through the adoption of affordable, easy-to-use collaboration tools – the business can drive improvements in customer satisfaction, productivity, and staff satisfaction.
“Properly monitored and managed therefore, everybody wins,” he added.
However, there is also a strain on networks from the proliferation of devices in use around companies today. Jim Machi, writing for Sys-Con Media, explained that the rapid growth of netbooks, smartphones and other devices is creating growing demand for “rich data services that are straining mobile network capacity and eroding profits.”
Indeed, Citrix revealed that the use of devices is becoming more and more commonplace, to the benefit of the companies concerned. For example, ten per cent of small and medium-sized businesses which are successfully integrating the use of personal communication devices into the workplace are seeing dramatic increases in productivity in excess of 30 per cent, while a further third of firms are seeing gains of at least ten per cent.
To alleviate some of the pressure, Mr Machi suggests adding more leased lines to help handle higher traffic as one option. Alternatively, network designers could consider rolling out fibre.