How many times have you heard someone say … “what did we ever do before the Internet?”
Well, thankfully, we are not going back. Today, the Internet is recognized as the most useful technology of modern times and it’s hard to imagine how a business could ever succeed in today’s fast-paced environment without the important connections the Internet provides.
The ability to effectively connect with others – customers, prospects and partners – is imperative in business, but a solid business Internet is about so much more than just connectivity. It’s about succeeding in a global and competitive world. There are three primary areas to consider when determining the best Internet choices for your business.
Speed – No one likes to wait, so it’s important to ensure that the service you choose provides the speed your business needs for fast and effective online communication. Here are some important questions to address when considering how much bandwidth will be required:
• How many devices will be accessing the Internet?
• How many users will be accessing the web and …
• Will they receive emails with large files attached?
• Will they be streaming audio/video?
• Will they be downloading photos and graphics?
• What about online meetings or cloud computing?
• Will you offer private WiFi for employees or public WiFi for guests to the office, or both?
Knowing the answers to these questions is an important first step in determining your business Internet needs.
Reliability – Securing anytime access to important files, customer contact information and online applications is imperative. Your business Internet connection must be fully operational at all times. It’s important to inquire about the technology being used to deliver your Internet service to ensure both that you are getting the speed you are paying for and that there are no issues which may result in a poor user experience. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently released the ‘Measuring Broadband America Report for 2014’ (www.fcc.gov), a valuable resource that looks at the actual Internet speeds that American consumers are receiving from the nation’s largest Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
Feature enhancements – Make sure that the Internet service you choose offers the additional benefit options you need:
• Online backup – a safe, secure service that backs up your files automatically and allows you to access and restore your files from any location with an Internet connection. This feature ensures the safety of your company’s data from hard drive documents to computer files.
• Desktop Security – protection from online, network and virus threats, and hackers. A software security firewall safeguards both your business desktops and servers.
• WiFi – this feature provides wireless, on-the-go Internet connectivity, enabling you and your employees to take the Internet with you when you leave the office. Any WiFi enabled device from a smartphone to a tablet can be used.
Choosing the right Internet service provider is an important decision that greatly impacts your business. Doing some research and assessing your business needs will help to ensure that you find the right Internet partner to ensure your ongoing business success. For more information on the business Internet services available from Cox Business, please contact Nick Rodriguez, Senior Product Manager at (402) 934-0213 or by email at Nick.Rodriguez@cox.com. Or you can visit them online at www.coxbusiness.com.
by Nick Rodriguez, Senior Product Manager
402-934-0213