Your network connection is one of the pillars of your operations. It powers communication and collaboration within the office, and if it becomes unstable, your productivity and revenue can be affected immediately.
Your IT department needs to be proactive when identifying network problems. Here are some signs you’re due for a network upgrade:
#1. Slow wide area network (WAN)
A WAN is a network made up of several computers connected together over the internet. Your company’s WAN can suffer from congestion, mainly caused by employees’ recreational use of the office internet, such as when they play online games or download movies.
Controlling how your staff uses the internet is one of the best ways to resolve WAN issues. Do this by filtering any unnecessary traffic that isn’t used for work purposes. Also, educate users on how to use your IT infrastructure by telling them to be mindful of the websites they visit and the files they download.
#2. Outdated hardware and software
Your hardware and software, no matter how reliable they have been for your operations, will eventually slow down over time. They will also lose backwards-compatibility and manufacturer support.
Remember that by refusing to upgrade to newer technologies, you’re hindering your business’s potential for growth. To avoid the high costs of investing in new machines and new software, turn to cost-effective solutions such as outsourced virtual desktops and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). Beyond getting to enjoy hardware and software that are always up to date, you avoid having to maintain the infrastructure yourself.
#3. Poor VoIP audio quality
Thanks to the internet, it’s now possible to make calls without the need for a landline telephone. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology uses a protocol that requires a stable network connection. However, if your network design is poor, VoIP calls might become plagued with excessive noise or unusual sound.
Make sure your network infrastructure is compatible with your VoIP system. Not every switch, router, firewall, or security hardware will work with all VoIP providers. You may also need to reconfigure or update devices.
Sufficient bandwidth is important, but so is prioritization. Your infrastructure needs to be able to support quality of service (QoS) everywhere VoIP traffic appears. QoS is a defined measure of performance in VoIP that should guarantee that traffic for voice will not be delayed or dropped due to other traffic interference. In simpler words, QoS support is crucial in reducing delays and ensuring the best audio quality.
#4. Pixelated and stuttering videos
It’s important to note that video traffic is immensely demanding for any network. As a result, when a video is being transmitted over a faulty network, pixelation will occur. Pixelation usually takes the form of rainbow-colored interference that appears on the screen.
Let’s say you’re conducting a video call with someone from another office. If you have a faulty network connection, the video being sent by the other party might not display properly. Your network might even have difficulty receiving the transmission, causing video stutters. Sometimes, buffering wait times take even longer than the video you're trying to watch!
To avoid these problems, ensure that your network is properly configured for videos. With that said, prevent employees from downloading large files and streaming bandwidth-hogging videos, as this can significantly affect video quality.
Don’t let slow and outdated technology get in the way of your business’s success. USWired’s team of expert IT consultants will provide you with guidance and recommendations on the best technology available today. Call us today for professional advice.
