November 2005

Reaping the rewards of multi-office data sharing
Nigel Stevens, product director at THUS, explains how small and medium-sized enterprises can gain that competitive edge from extending their communications network across multiple-site office locations

For many growing small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with multiple offices, setting up a cost effective communications infrastructure, connecting disparate sites while improving operational efficiency, can prove a real challenge. The right technology solution has to be sophisticated enough to meet growing communication requirements, but also needs to be capable of supporting a multi-office network.

Traditionally, many businesses have connected their various locations via a wide area network (WAN), a geographically dispersed telecommunications network that enables a business to communicate past its local area network (LAN). WANs are generally run over traditional network technology, however, for as long as enterprise data networks have existed, the WAN has been a major hindrance in IT architecture design. The problem is they are inherently slow, complex and expensive, particularly when it comes to carrying data rich traffic.

In contrast, Ethernet-based LANs offer high speed, low latency, low cost connectivity within buildings on a universal basis. Ethernet is a network communication standard which is most widely deployed to handle data across the LAN. Most businesses with multiple employees will use a LAN for staff access to servers and email within one building. When connecting the LAN to a WAN to link up office locations for data sharing, the speeds of traffic can slow to less than ten per cent of the LAN speed. Fortunately you can now use Ethernet as an answer to connecting geographically located offices.

Ethernet eliminates bottlenecks and makes it simple for businesses to build and manage cost effective multi-site networks without having to incur the overhead of running completely different technologies and systems. No matter where a desktop is located with in an organisation, Ethernet will give each user the same level – and, crucially, speed – of access, regardless of where the application is actually hosted. Large data file transfers that take hours on slow traditional network links can take minutes or seconds over Ethernet.

For example, a local Ethernet office network in London could be connected to a
satellite office network in Glasgow, using a 10, 100 or 1000Mbps standard Ethernet service. This eliminates the need for expensive router modules or converters of the kind that are required with traditional network services. As such, Ethernet is a very cost-effective alternative to old technology, whilst at the same time, providing a means to greatly simplify the overall network architecture to be managed.

Now available between sites in most towns and cities across the UK, Ethernet is recommended to organisations that need to regularly run data intensive or real-time applications between sites such as media and advertising companies. It also enables users on different sites to work closely together to create and modify documents, financial statements, presentations and other types of rich content.

Ethernet’s inherent bandwidth flexibility means small and medium businesses can rapidly adapt IT resources to meet internal or external business contingencies. The permanent, uncontended connection is available at speeds ranging from 2Mbps to 1Gbps in 1Mbps increments, meaning bandwidth changes can be made quickly, easily and remotely and at short notice, depending on changing business needs.

For instance, if it becomes necessary to hold a large number of voice/video
conferences or training sessions across the business, the bandwidth required could be increased quickly for just the period that it’s needed. Or, if a seasonal or business cycle peak causes a large spike in customer demand, bandwidth can be rapidly and flexibly added to the enterprise backbone on an ‘as required’ basis. Additionally, as a business grows, new office sites can be connected in a seamless, cost effective manner.

And for those SMEs looking to converge voice, video and data traffic onto one
network, Ethernet provides a means of future-proofing a network, to accommodate emerging technologies, such as voice over IP and real time multimedia workflows. True convergence alone can improve return on investment and business productivity when investments are made in the network.

Whether the goal is integrated business processes, faster time to market or better customer and partner interactions, Ethernet is a key enabling technology for business that must get more from their IT resources while spending less. It maximises the value of your IT budget while crucially opening up opportunities that may not have been economically or operationally viable before. Ultimately, it has the potential to serve as a comprehensive glue that integrates the various office sites, customers, suppliers and strategic partners in a seamless, highly efficient value chain.

One such example is Demon City and National Ethernet from THUS. This offering is part of THUS’s advanced Ethernet product portfolio, and allows UK SMEs to link sites through private Ethernet connections operating at the same high speed as their office network. By launching these Ethernet services under the Demon brand, THUS is able to offer a cost effective solution which can meet growing communicationneeds, support a multi-office network and allow employees to access content regardless of location.

In today’s dynamic technology environment, SMEs must adopt a network strategy that enables them to deploy advanced services as and when the business grows, without leaving current resources behind. Ethernet provides the ideal access technology for companies looking to do just that, and THUS is at the forefront of efforts to help companies achieve their communication needs.