Transform Your Network to Harness the Power of the Cloud and Support Hybrid Work
Bridgepointe: Your Cloud & Network Transformation Experts
The pandemic forced many organizations to shift to the cloud for business-critical workloads and changed the way we think about our business networks. With critical business resources now largely outside of the onsite data center, and employees working from anywhere, Internet is critical, WANs are evolving and the business “edge” is now at the employee PC.
Applications are moving to the cloud and people are moving outside the branch. Employees and expertise are becoming more mobile. Retaining skilled employees to maintain and deploy increasingly complex network architecture demands transformative technology decisions and a strategic plan for your network transformation.
Traditional networks are now being tasked with transitioning to supporting all edges (user, cloud, data center, branch) with a converged, network and security platform, that is easier to deploy and maintain. The traditional approach of siloed or service-chained integration with large capital expenditure (CapEx) and technology sprawl is under scrutiny.
This results in gaps in pervasive security and compliance as well as an inconsistent ability to visualize and administer the enterprise network in full context. Bridgepointe helps you assess common trends facing your Network Transformation to help guide current, planned, and future state, and set a course to evolve with trends with a flexible platform for transition.
Start your Network Transformation now with Bridgepointe.
What is Network Transformation?
- Agile: Able to adapt and keep pace with the ever-changing needs of a business.
- Efficient: Operate smoothly and minimize waste of resources.
- Scalable: Easily grow and accommodate new demands on the network.
- Supports Digital Transformation: Many businesses are adopting new technologies and applications in a digital transformation push. These initiatives rely heavily on a strong and adaptable network, making network transformation a critical first step.
- Boosts User Experience: A well-designed network transformation can significantly improve user experience. This means faster and more reliable connections, seamless access to cloud applications, and better overall responsiveness for everyone on the network.
- Enhances Security and Scalability: Network transformation projects often involve implementing new technologies that offer greater flexibility, scalability, and improved security features. These can include Network Function Virtualization (NFV) and Software-Defined Networking (SDN).
- Support their digital transformation goals.
- Ensure a smooth user experience for employees and customers.
- Be better prepared to handle future growth and changes.
What is Cloud Network?
A cloud network refers to IT infrastructure where some or all of an organization’s network capabilities are hosted on a cloud platform, either public, private, or a hybrid mix. Imagine it like leasing space in a giant, high-tech apartment building for your network equipment instead of having your own server room on-site.
Here’s a breakdown of key points about cloud networks:
- Virtualized Resources: Cloud networks rely on virtual versions of traditional network components like routers, firewalls, and load balancers. This provides flexibility and scalability as you can easily add or remove resources as needed.
- Managed by Cloud Provider: The underlying physical network infrastructure is managed by the cloud service provider, freeing your IT team to focus on higher-level tasks.
- Connectivity Options: Cloud networks offer various connectivity options to connect your on-premises network to the cloud resources. These can include Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and dedicated leased lines.
- Benefits: Cloud networks offer several advantages, including:
- Cost Savings: You eliminate the need for upfront investment in hardware and ongoing maintenance.
- Scalability: Easily adjust your network resources to meet changing demands.
- Agility: Quickly provision and deploy new network services.
- Improved Performance: Cloud providers have robust networks designed for high performance and reliability.
Here are some additional points to consider:
- Cloud networks are a crucial component of hybrid cloud and multi-cloud environments, where workloads are distributed across different cloud platforms.
- Security is a primary concern with cloud networks. It’s essential to choose a reputable cloud provider with robust security practices and carefully configure your cloud network for optimal protection
Overall, cloud networks offer a flexible and scalable solution for organizations looking to optimize their network infrastructure and support modern business needs.
Source: Gemini AI
What is Support Hybrid Work?
Supporting a hybrid work environment in IT refers to the strategies and practices IT departments use to ensure employees have the tools and resources they need to be productive, regardless of whether they’re working in the office or remotely.
Here’s a breakdown of the key aspects:
Challenges of Hybrid Work for IT:
- Sprawling Infrastructure: IT needs to manage a wider range of devices and connections, from office desktops to personal laptops used at home.
- Security Concerns: Securing company data becomes more complex with employees on various networks.
- Communication and Collaboration: Maintaining seamless communication and collaboration tools for geographically dispersed teams.
Strategies for IT to Support Hybrid Work:
- Clear Policies and Procedures: Define guidelines around equipment usage, remote access, data security, and troubleshooting for both IT staff and employees.
- Remote Access Tools: Implement tools that allow IT staff to securely diagnose and fix issues on employee devices remotely.
- Cloud-Based Solutions: Utilize cloud-based applications and storage to ensure everyone has access to the latest information from any location.
- Unified Communication Platform: Having a central platform for video conferencing, instant messaging, and file sharing keeps teams connected.
- Employee Training: Train employees on IT policies, security best practices, and how to use collaboration tools effectively.
By implementing these strategies, IT departments can empower a hybrid workforce to be productive and secure while working from anywhere.
Source: Gemini AI