Technology has evolved quickly over the last few years, meaning businesses have a lot more tools available to help bolster their productivity.
Unified communications, the Internet of Things, and cloud computing are all examples of the innovative tech systems that have fast tracked in their development, almost revolutionising the way enterprises function.
The thing is, these tools are essentially inaccessible unless your organisation has effective connectivity and network infrastructure, and this to the key to why connectivity is important in business.
What are the benefits of connectivity that’s tailored to the way you work?
Your business connectivity and network are the foundation of effective business processes. If you get these on track, your organisation will see some massive advantages and growth opportunities coming your way. Here are some of those benefits:
1. Faster moving data
Technology is on the move, and it’s getting quicker and quicker all the time. This speed means that the expectations of customers and staff are also changing. People are much less patient when it comes to slow internet and drop outs, so your network needs to be able to keep up and stay productive when it matters.
If your internet connection is unstable, this can actually have a lot of hidden costs thanks to downtime and lags. In fact, a medium office with a 2min delay every hour loses $1,600/month in wages. This is significant loss that impacts your staff’s productivity as well, since they’re experiencing frequent interruptions from network delays and dropouts.
2. Optimised collaborative capabilities
We’ve established that connectivity and productivity go hand in hand, and this is especially true when it comes to enabling your team’s collaboration. With proper internet fibre, you can easily roll out unified communications (UC) platforms that support your staff in working smarter, not harder.
With UC, collaboration is simplified with useful tools like file sharing, voice/video calls, instant messaging, and multiparty meetings available on one integrated platform that your team can access from a variety of places.
With connectivity that supports cloud-based data systems, your team can also send and received important information much faster. This means much less down time, and a workflow that makes life easy.
3. Ability to take advantage of opportunities as they arise
We are in the golden age of tech, and things are only getting bigger and better, providing huge opportunities to streamline your organisation’s productivity. As the latest and greatest in business technology arises, you want to be agile enough to adopt it as soon as possible, which can only happen with effective business connectivity.
There’s nothing quite like the confidence of knowing that your internet is ready to roll out whatever application or innovation you want. With tools like virtual reality emerging in the enterprise space, you’ll not only be able to stay ahead of the curve but you’ll be well positioned to potentially revolutionise the way you do things.
4. Competitive advantage
Connectivity that supports productivity can give you a massive boost over your market competitors. Staff are much happier when technology supports how they work, which means better staff retention and a great employer value proposition for new talent.
Plus, with fast response times made possible with business grade internet, you’ll be providing a far superior customer experience. Drop outs don’t just impact productivity, they can also affect customer sentiment, so keeping this positive is important for maintaining your reputation and customer relationships.
What to consider when building your connectivity infrastructure
There are different types of business internet you can choose from, and selecting the right one will depend on the needs of your enterprise. Here are the key questions you should be asking:
Is symmetric or asymmetric internet right for you?
When it comes to a symmetric internet connection, all uploads and downloads are given equal bandwidths. This is a great option if you’re using the internet for file sharing, video calling and cloud uploads.
On the other hand, an asymmetric internet connection prioritises downloads over uploads. If your business needs are more aligned to faster downloads, this may be a better choice.
Do you need an uncontended or contended connection?
An uncontended connection means your business is the only one operating on that network, while a contended connection is shared with other businesses or users outside of your organisation.
For businesses whose supply chain management is critical, or institutions like banks, the always-on connectivity of an uncontended connection is ideal as it eliminates dropouts and provides peace of mind.
Rubicon 8
If you’re unsure how to get a fit-for-purpose internet connection, or need helping identifying the best options for your enterprise, talk to the experts at Rubicon 8. We can provide a range of services and solutions that keep you connected and support your organisation’s operational needs. Get in touch today for business connectivity support.
