Digital-ready networks represent the future of enterprise growth and innovation with the use of technologies such as cloud, Internet of Things (IoT), mobile, social, and big data and analytics. But there is more to being digital-ready than just using these technologies; it requires your enterprise to view it as an essential business strategy for success.
As with most business strategies, there are some challenges to take into consideration when choosing the best digital-ready network option for your enterprise. The best way to overcome these concerns is to arm your enterprise with knowledge regarding all available solutions. There are always obstacles, but with tips from Cisco and IDC we will guide you through the top four digital-readiness challenges your enterprise will likely encounter.
4 Challenges of a Digital-Ready Network
- Cost
This is one the top concerns for organization executives – and rightfully so. If your enterprise has already made upgrades to its infrastructure as part of a digital initiative, you will most likely see immediate cost savings as you begin moving to a more digital-ready environment. Upgrades include WLANs, switches and routers, as well as introducing virtualized systems and central management to deliver new capabilities and greater efficiency and flexibility. These savings are from using more efficient devices, which in turn leads to the consolidation of hardware and management systems.
Cisco’s DNA also includes protection of your investment through building on existing infrastructure where appropriate, including the use of platform-independent software, virtualization, and consistency of features across devices.
Further, service automation features such as Cisco’s Plug and Play significantly reduce the operational overhead for provisioning and managing the network. With traditional networks, operational costs account for 45 percent of the total cost of ownership to run a network; moving to a digital-ready network can cut this number by more than 50 percent.
- Agility
Agility refers to how quickly the enterprise is able to make decisions and execute those choices. An agile company comes to decisions quickly and is able to then implement them with fewer negative results. This ability to make decisions promptly reduces the time needed to deploy new applications and services, and also allows your enterprise to bring new products and services to market faster. In turn, this rapid response rate drives revenue.
By increasing network performance through automation, organizations will not only enhance time to market for new applications, but will also be able to realize significant gains in the number of new applications developed and deployed to improve business.
Your enterprise needs a digital-ready network that can provide you with agility to make decisions and adapt to changing business needs. Cisco’s Digital Network Architecture (DNA) focuses on helping IT and business leaders move to a digital-ready system that is more agile than legacy strategies.
- Enterprise Security and Risk Mitigation
When considering any new business technology, you must take into account the enterprise security measures and risk mitigation involved. An emphasis on security results in faster resolution of breaches as well as a reduction in unplanned downtime, improving your employee productivity, and reducing lost revenue.
A highly reliable network is usually a well-managed network. Reducing the risks of disrupted business operations and maximizing a positive customer experience results from delivering more reliable and secure services.
Giving the organization the confidence to roll out new digital capabilities and services with minimum risk (on-time delivery, compliance, service levels, etc.) is another very important benefit and motivates the organization to press forward with a digital-ready network.
- Productivity
The more productive your organization is, the more profitable it is. Employing a digital-ready network creates a more competitive business model to drive:
- Revenue
- Growth
- Profitability
- Employee productivity
- Enhanced business processes
Cisco’s architecture provides end-to-end quality of service that will improve the user experience and in turn, raise productivity.
Next Steps: A digital-ready network will help your enterprise grow as well as reach current and future business objectives. Need help finding the right digital-ready products for your organization? Contact WEI today for a consultation. For more information about wireless networking, read our solution brief, “Wireless Networks are no Longer for Convenience, they are Mission Critical.”
