Increased resilience, reduced cost and single voice and data networks are 2008 priorities
GLOUCESTER, 21 May 2008: Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) will invest heavily in MPLS (multi-protocol label switching) and converged voice and data networks in 2008, as they look to increase competitiveness, reduce costs and move more of their business online. A recent survey of 300 SMBs shows that, despite tightening economic conditions, investment in Internet technologies will see significant growth throughout 2008 as businesses look for ways to increase competitiveness. MPLS and network security products and services were at the top of shopping lists for more than 40 percent of those questioned.
“Our research highlights a significant opportunity for the SMB channel”, says Ben White, CEO of Star, the business ISP. “Small and medium-sized businesses see MPLS as a critical technology as they move more applications online – but they need advice and guidance on what to buy and how to deploy it in order to maximise both benefits and investments.
“Network resilience was a serious concern for SMBs, with 50 percent saying they felt they needed to focus on this in the coming year. MPLS solves the historic reliability challenges associated with using VPNs for connecting branch offices, reduces the cost and simplifies network management.”
MPLS will play a critical role for businesses converging all voice and data traffic onto a single network in order to reduce the cost and complexity of separate voice and data networks and to simplify maintenance. Using MPLS, small and medium-sized businesses can also create a single Internet breakout, through which all web traffic passes. This gives greater control and removes the need for multiple access points and separate firewalls at each site.