In a long list of 21st century workplaces, there are few tasks on the daily to-do list that are not aided in at least some way by an internet connection. From business-critical activities like communications, research and customer service to vital chores like marketing, supply procurement and order fulfillment, along with plenty of key areas in between, productivity can take a major hit when the internet slows down.
Further, work-related tools like computers, videoconferencing devices and wireless printers are not the only devices straining the modern office network. With digital technologies like security systems, workers’ smartphones and even smart coffee machines being added to the workplace-connectivity mix over time, many networks are slowly but surely getting spread thin.
Needless to say, when it comes to getting the job done efficiently in the modern workplace, it is imperative to maintain a strong internet signal. Consider these benefits to boosting internet speed and bandwidth in today’s digitally driven business environments:
- It revs up productivity: In today’s workplace, many employees are more dependent on their internet connections than they are their phone lines. And slow internet speeds can lead to time-consuming lags and delays with job-essential applications and software such as those used for online research, customer service, emails, chats and software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications. Alternatively, speedy internet allows workers to move from one task to another quickly and seamlessly and even multitask with several internet applications running simultaneously without the lost productivity caused by slow speeds.
- It can boost the bottom line: While faster internet speeds carry a (generally nominally) higher price tag than slower connections, the productivity gains mentioned above are typically well worth the added investment. In fact, the added efficiencies that come with faster internet speeds can lead to revenue gains that substantially outweigh the cost of a higher-tier business internet plan. Further, significant savings on essential business services can be realized when a business has faster internet speeds. One example of this is Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone service, which can be much less expensive than typical landline voice service for a business, especially when large numbers of phone lines and added services are required. Another is remote-work capabilities, which often rely on fast internet speeds and can result in significant cost savings via the reduced real estate costs that can be realized when less office space is required.
- It improves critical cloud capabilities: Rather than purchasing expensive software needed to perform many important, work-related tasks, many businesses utilize software as a service (SaaS) applications. These internet-accessed applications allow enterprises to pay a much lower monthly fee to use software “in the cloud,” meaning it is being run on remote servers. And to run smoothly, these applications, which often facilitate vital business operations such as customer relationship management (CRM) and financial record-keeping, need a strong internet connection. Without these speedy connections, the performance of these cloud applications can lag, impacting the business’s level of service. But with faster internet connections, cloud software can run just as smoothly as if it were installed in-house and as an added benefit can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.
- It makes video collaboration clearer: In many of today’s workplaces, remote collaboration has become an everyday occurrence. These common scenarios see workers in far-flung office locations, home offices and even working from the road join online videoconferences. In other cases, business representatives are participating in videoconferences with clients and prospective clients. And with a fast internet connection, communications during all of these videoconferences are clearer plus impressions on potential customers are elevated with high-quality, lag-free audio and video.
- It enables smoother and faster data backup: To prevent data loss in the case of a natural disaster, for example, many modern businesses back their critical data up to offsite servers. And the amount of data that businesses need to back up is constantly growing. A fast internet connection allows for quick and easy data backups throughout the workday even with the massive file sizes that can cause network congestion if being backed up remotely via a slower internet connection.
- It can lower stress levels: Of course, the lags, buffering and other slowdowns often caused by a slow internet connection can be frustrating, especially in a business environment where important deadlines regularly loom. But with a high-speed internet connection that is secure, fast and reliable, such stress-inducing slowdowns can be kept to a minimum, leading to a calmer and more confident work environment. And for the business, having a workforce that is less stressed and more relaxed is one highly effective way to avoid the mistakes that a tension-filled work situation can lead to.
- It supports scalability: Especially in larger business offices, substantial numbers of connected devices and users can quickly drain internet bandwidth with the high traffic leading to network slowdowns. But high-speed internet connections typically support such large numbers of users and devices, enabling businesses to scale their numbers of employees, devices and internet-dependent tasks as needed.
Ready to harness all of the advantages mentioned above by securing a faster internet connection for your business? Visit ftc.net/business to explore FTC’s business internet plans with speeds up to a blazing-fast 1 Gig available. And to get local, expert IT help for your business in a number of tech-related areas, including Managed IT, Cybersecurity, Hosted Services and more, visit FTC IT Solutions today.
