Overview:

Advanced Communications Services have become increasingly relevant
to businesses in large part because of the proliferation of branch
offices, remote workers, and the need for access to centrally provided
data and applications. These services, including Multi-Protocol Label
Switching (MPLS), Ethernet, Internet access, peering, hosted
connectivity and mobile offerings, are becoming even more critical
because the way we work is changing dramatically.

The majority of companies now:

• Centralize their applications and data in primary and backup data centers;
• Open new branch locations, with an average growth rate of about 12% a year;
• Expand the percentage of employees who telecommute full- or part-time;
• Implement new collaborative applications to improve productivity, customer service, and remote management of staff.

Consequently, the network connecting end users to the data and
applications they need becomes vital. The IT and network staff understands this,
but non-IT executives don’t quite understand yet the strategic importance of the
network in most organizations. One of the important goals of IT executives is to
educate business-unit leaders and non-IT executives on the importance of a highperformance,
reliable network, so that budget approvals are easier.

But in order to build an efficient, cost-effective, reliable network, capable
of handling multiple applications with different performance requirements,
however, IT staffs must internalize what’s happening in the distributed
enterprise. Fortunately, we’re seeing companies shift their attention to the
branch, now that data-center consolidation projects are wrapping up.

As they shift their attention to the branch, organizations are focusing on
three major initiatives: defining the branch and creating corporate standards for
consistency at remote locations; lighting up the branch by increasing bandwidth;
and managing the branch, using third-party services.

Clients - Read this Benchmark: ACS - The Distributed Enterprise [1]

Nemertes Benchmarks are available to clients only. If you're not a
client and would like to receive a copy, please
contact us [2].