Organizations have become increasingly dependent on an adequate quality of data communication services to connect with customers and suppliers. The broader variety of traffic that data networks carry, such as voice and video, changes the required performance characteristics of the data network. Enterprises invariably purchase data communication services from a carrier or reseller; therefore, the performance capabilities of the service providers determine readily achievable service levels.
Use this research note to better understand:
- Important network performance targets.
- The levels of performance that are appropriate for different uses.
- What the suppliers can deliver (and where there are important limits).
- How an enterprise can potentially offset some of these limitations.
IT departments must understand which network performance targets are important, what levels of service are available from suppliers and what approaches can reduce service gaps.