Modern information and communications technology, or ICT, has become both as powerful and as effective as it is today due to the strong interconnectivity that humans have established over the years. For instance, the internet wouldn’t be as wealthy and dynamic a repository of websites, videos, images, and content from all over the globe if there were no networks connected to enable people to contribute. Thanks to such network connections, we’re able to communicate with each other regardless of our locations. The large-scale networks that are responsible for these interactions are also known as wide area networks (WANs).
Given the level of interconnectivity they can offer, WANs are also commonly used in business settings for the purpose of connecting multiple branch locations, employees, and resources over large geographical areas. As such, entrepreneurs can stand to benefit significantly from hiring expert ICT services providers to establish WAN infrastructure towards improving productivity and cost-effectiveness in their business operations.
For budding entrepreneurs who have yet to learn about these technologies—plus, how they can be applied in different business contexts—here’s a quick overview of how WANs work and their various uses.
How WANs Work
Put simply, a WAN works by connecting multiple local area networks (LANs), thus creating a larger network with greater reach. If your business has multiple branches throughout New Zealand, for instance, then the network that exists within each branch is called a LAN. That connection can be very limited and will typically be used to communicate and share data within respective branches only.
To establish connectivity across all your branches, WAN infrastructure can be brought into the picture to bridge the gap. This can be done with a set-up of wired or satellite connections, hardware such as routers or modems, cloud technologies, and other relevant services, depending on your business’s requirements. Once your WAN is set up, it can then facilitate the transfer of any files, data, or communication between multiple branches of your business in a secure and reliable manner.
7 Applications of WAN in Business Settings
Given how fast-paced today’s business environment is, in large part due to clients’ and other stakeholders’ need for strengthened connectivity, WANs are viable solutions for enterprises looking to enhance their bottom lines. They’ll be key towards helping businesses break out of their geographical restrictions and promoting increased flexibility and productivity among employees.
To illustrate further, here are some of the main uses of WANs in business settings:
1) Connecting Branch Offices
The foremost use that an entrepreneur can get out of their WAN is being able to connect multiple branches of their business, whether these branches are located in different cities or different countries altogether. A WAN will allow employees from various branches to gain access to the same systems and files that everyone has, thus promoting better intra-business collaboration. It will also reduce the costs of having to send over documents to other branches physically since the data can simply be accessed using one network.
2) Accessing Cloud Services
Cloud services are a must for many businesses in the contemporary digital era, for storing their data securely and for properly running essential solutions like customer service management (CRM) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Having a dedicated WAN, in this case, will enable your employees to quickly access these cloud services wherever they may be. The WAN also ensures reliable access to the company’s cloud storage and that data shared between branches is always up-to-date.
3) Enabling Remote Work
Work from home or remote work setups are now steadily becoming the norm. With the right tools, workers can accomplish their tasks without having to go to the office while businesses can save on utility costs at the same time.
Through well-implemented WAN infrastructure, your business can better support remote work setups among your employees. The WAN can connect workers to their company’s network and allow them access to necessary files, applications, and communication tools from home or even while they’re travelling.
4) Supporting Communication Tools
WANs can also be used to enable the use of multiple communication tools such as chat applications, video conferencing, and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) within your business. This allows teams in different locations to maintain real-time communication, thus making sure that everyone is always on the same page.
5) Centralising IT Infrastructure
Instead of having servers and data centres for each branch, you can simply use your WAN to centralise your business’s IT infrastructure. This promises significant cost savings as opposed to having to purchase multiple hardware, and it also simplifies maintenance due to the fact that company data is stored in a central server that all branches can access equally.
6) Running Business Applications
Some businesses make use of specialised applications such as accounting software, inventory management systems, or customer database management solutions. WANs will be invaluable in these cases, enabling multiple branches to run these applications. They will also make it easier to ensure that data recorded through such applications, for example with regard to customer responses or stock levels, is consistent for each user.
7) Enhancing Security
Now that cybersecurity threats have quickly evolved and become prevalent for modern businesses, yours should commit to prioritising security in order to prevent sensitive company data from falling into the wrong hands. You’ll be able to rely on your WAN to apply stringent security measures such as encryption and firewalls, protecting your data as it travels between locations. Employees who are accessing your WAN can also be tasked to use a virtual private network (VPN) to avail of another layer of security.
Improve Your Business Connectivity through WAN Infrastructure
Thanks to WANs, interconnectivity for businesses has never been easier. Today, the WAN is one of the most important technologies for keeping growing businesses’ operations smooth and efficient by connecting people, locations, and resources. Many businesses owners are after the capability to share information and collaborate on a global scale. If this is the case for you, a WAN and the ICT services that come with it are must-have investments towards getting your business to achieve that goal.