Networking is STILL Growing…

The networking market is continuing to grow and grow and grow & it is excected to grow even more..

As budgets are decreased people are looking at putting an emphasis on IT solutions that solve business problems and provide a SOLID ROI, technologies such as wireless and IP videoconferencing also are poised for growth.

Network management, VoIP, unified data center devices and Gigabit Ethernet Switches are the technology set to provide the most growth this year.  Network management also topped the list, along with unified data center devices, Gigabit Ethernet switches & VoIP.

Lots of people that I talk to are interested in cutting travel costs and that is the number 1 reason for teleconferencing. 

ROI is key particularly for small customers.  Things like mobility and wireless seem to be most appealing to them.  The more they can get their staff out to the clients the better.

Who knows, but that is the latest!!!

Reduce Networking Expenses

1.  Delay non-critical Key Initiatives that do not result in short term payback.

2.  Open up major Telecommunication contracts ASAP

·         Ask for service credits for 2009.

·         Consolidate network service providers; consider Tier2 NSPs. 

·         Combine voice & data local/intrastate/interstate/international/wireline/wireless.  

3.  Make sure you are paying for Just What You Have

4.  Make sure you have Just What You Need

·         Gartner has a Bandwidth Estimation Models (BEM) that analyze your enterprise type (A,B,C), user types, numbers & locations, locations and applications utilized.  

5.  Consolidate Networking.  Use networks to consolidate.

Consolidate into fewer, larger data centers by converging to IP net 

Relocating office functionality to Data Centers

Adopt a managed diversity strategy and consider Branch Office Box (BOB)

Integrate Platforms, integrate & evolve to Unified Communications

Adopt Terabit switching and move all towards all -Ethernet. Consolidate NOC & ITOps

6.  Utilize Networking to Reduce Business Costs

Lower Travel Costs with Telepresence

7.  Move to Corporate liability for Wireless Services

8.  Consider reducing uptime of selected locations by “one 9″

9.  Deploy VoIP – but do not invest in the fancy IP phones

10.  Use IP trunks instead of PRI lines

11.  Don’t future proof your networking investments.  Buy only what you need.

12.  Selectively utilize managed services, outsourcing, cloud services & other delivery methods