Network services
Identify what applications and data are critical for your business and ensure there is a documented and tested plan to keep your organization running in an emergency.
How important is your network?
Which of your mission critical business services depend on network connectivity? Do you rely on online Software as a Service (SaaS) applications? Does your phone system use Voice over IP (VoIP). How critical is email messaging for operations?
Does your business need access with committed uptime, or is a best effort connection sufficient? Will you need a backup connection? Unless your connection has guaranteed up time, your connection may not be available when you need it.
Do critical business services have minimum bandwidth requirements to function? Is Quality of Service needed to prioritize bandwidth for your phone system? Unless your connection has a Committed Information Rate (CIR), your connection speed is not guaranteed.
Do any applications require additional features like static IP addresses, unique protocol support, or routing?
5 steps to the right connectivity
List out your critical workflows and dependency services. Document the minimum downtime and total minimum bandwidth needed. Consider recovery time and vendor support needs.
Connection delivery options include broadband cable, DSL, fiber, and wireless. Choose a provider that can contractually commit to meet your up time, bandwidth, and support requirements.
Work with your chosen provider(s) to create a service agreement that documents the minimum up time, bandwidth support response time and any other needs. Create an implementation plan consistent with your business needs that includes connection deployment, configuration of services and testing.
Work with the provider to deploy the connection(s), configure firewall and deploy dependent services. Test all critical workflows to ensure business needs are met. Resolve any discovered issues.
Setup a system to monitor bandwidth and alert on any connection disruptions to support quick identification and resolution of issues to minimize business impact. Hold network provider accountable to meet agreed to service levels.