| Network Optimisation is a critical component in the | | | | it is shipped out onto the Internet or disseminated |
| effective management of information systems. | | | | through the local area network (LAN). Tools in the |
| Information technology is growing at an exponential | | | | form of software and hardware can go a long way to |
| rate - with more and more applications consuming | | | | increase efficiency without compromising either |
| greater amount of network bandwidth as well as | | | | security or data integrity. However, these tools on their |
| business users producing larger volumes of data from | | | | own are of little value without organisations taking a |
| these applications (which in a majority of cases has to | | | | real hard and serious look at their application estates |
| flow through the corporate network). This continued | | | | and determining which applications could be |
| growth adds to the strain of an already over-stressed | | | | consolidated, re-engineered (to reduce their data and |
| network architecture within an organisation. | | | | network bandwidth footprints), replaced or even |
| This situation is unlikely to improve as fast as the | | | | retired. Additionally, organisations need to scrutinise |
| technology and computer usage rates increase. The | | | | internal processes and, where necessary, update, |
| only viable solution from the corporate management | | | | re-design or even create new ones so that the people |
| point of view is to improve the IT infrastructure and | | | | managing and using the network resources within the |
| data flow management within the company. | | | | organisation are doing so more efficiently. |
| The phenomenon is especially noticeable in the UK, | | | | In the case of large corporate infrastructures, the use |
| which does not have the same high percentage of | | | | of a dedicated team of knowledgeable and qualified |
| fibre optics per user as in North America and portions | | | | network analysts, architects and business specialists |
| of Asia. While this problem is being actively addressed | | | | (who understand applications, infrastructure and data |
| by British Telecom, there is a noticeable lag between | | | | and can interface between the technical and the |
| the installation and implementation of an integrated | | | | business communities) will ensure greater success in |
| solution using the high-capacity broadband | | | | implementing network optimisation across the |
| communications. | | | | organisation. In any case, the end result should |
| This leaves the IT manager in a quandary: with the | | | | incorporate a usable and easy to understand graphic |
| continued and projected growth of the IT network | | | | interface - and the appropriate throttles and regulators |
| within the business community, competition for finite | | | | - to ensure load-balancing and employing the best |
| resources - e.g., the hardware network - becomes | | | | value for the available resources. The days of simply |
| more than prudent; it is now imperative. Not helping the | | | | adding more bandwidth without regard to the |
| situation is the current economic climate. With the | | | | optimisation of data packeting and streaming are |
| average business spending 10% of its budget to | | | | essentially gone. |
| support IT operations, shaving percentage points off | | | | The sooner the corporation takes a proactive |
| that amount can have a significant impact on | | | | approach to data flow management and improving the |
| corporate profits. While initial capital outlay may seem | | | | network hierarchy, the less work will be required to |
| to be disproportionate - optimisation isn't something | | | | optimise in the future. Network Optimisation is not one |
| readily apparent as a budget line item. However, when | | | | of the steps that can be ignored. It is the 500-pound |
| data flow management and systems engineering is laid | | | | gorilla in the room and it isn't going to go away by itself. |
| out in spreadsheets and graphs, the exotic technical | | | | An unfortunate axiom of IT is: "there is never time to |
| jargon and cryptic content is suddenly presented in a | | | | do it right, but always time to do it over". |
| form that business managers, senior executives and | | | | Take the time. Analyse the problem, then implement |
| upper-level corporate managers can readily | | | | the solutions. It is not too late - the last thing an |
| understand, plan and promote to the wider organisation. | | | | organisation wants is the sudden realisation that the |
| Network Optimisation starts at the individual | | | | light at the end of the tunnel isn't daylight; it's an |
| workstation and winds its way to the server farm until | | | | on-coming train. |