There is no denying the fact that the Internet is the heart of modern innovations. The Internet pushes undisputable changes in the way we conduct daily business operations. To businesses, the Internet has become a platform on which to build communication infrastructures and data processing powerhouses. Conforming to the rapid technology influx, businesses all across the globe have embraced the services that the Internet has to offer.
To all businesses, big or small, access to the Internet is no longer an option — it has become a necessity. Gone are the days you only needed the Internet to check emails. To stay afloat in the fast-paced trading environment, you need an Internet connection — a fast and reliable one at that. Slow speeds and narrow bandwidths can barely get you started. Here are a few examples of business-friendly Internet services you might miss out on by using a weak data connection.
VoIP
VoIP is Voice over Internet Protocol, a form of IP telephony technology that has completely revolutionised the telecommunication sector. Businesses have long done away with cellular and landline communication channels. The old desk phone is gone, and in its place is a more versatile and efficient modern-day replacement with possibilities for a unified communication system.
VoIP is inexpensive and works on any voice-enabled communication device with an active connection, including smart mobile devices. Moreover, you never need to worry about poor reception or downtime. The advantages of VoIP over conventional alternatives are just overwhelming. There is no economic reason to choose other modes of communication for your business, at least in the long run.
In fact, the only reason one can think of is poor Internet connectivity. VoIP systems have rather demanding connection specifications for high fidelity, latency-free airtime. The number of VoIP lines you can have on a single connection depends on the connection’s speed and bandwidth. On average, a 1Mbps bandwidth supports a maximum of ten lines running two concurrent calls with excellent voice quality. The numbers change linearly since it’s a matter of bandwidth division.
The strength of your Internet connection sets the limits for your VoIP system.
Cloud computing
Cloud computing is essentially a virtual office for businesses. Cloud solutions have drastically reduced the IT burden on several digital services, making them easily and readily accessible to businesses. These services offer a secure working and storage platform that you can access and use from anywhere. This means you can collaborate with staff and customers at any time and keep your business running on the go, using the convenience of mobile devices.
Cloud services require online resources to work. There are constant uploads, downloads and manipulation of data that need a reliable, active connection. Some services involving cloud processing resources are more demanding. You have to maintain a stable connection to access the cloud. Online cloud servers have unique connection requirements depending on the services they provide. Still, a fast link gets things done quicker. Besides, you don’t want any interruptions from unreliable connections as you conduct your business.
Remote outsourcing
Several business tasks today can be assigned to remote workers over the web. The workforce is progressively shifting from the conventional 9-to-5 structure to a more flexible setting. Expert talents flood the skills marketplace every day to sell time and expertise to any available buyers.
Freelancers and independent contractors are an easy hire for short-term tasks as well as long-term engagements. The hours are flexible, the pay is (usually) negotiable, plus you get professional assistance without going through the hustle of labour law compliance and the on-boarding process. You can outsource just about any task that does not require physical engagement, from accounting, legal, virtual assistance and IT consultancy to tedious assignments like data entry.
To engage with the online labour market, you of course need to connect to the Internet. In this case, the Internet becomes a workplace. Many freelancers bill by the hour, so it’s best not to waste money trying to connect using a weak link. In addition, engagements often include data sharing or streaming and real-time communication. You might be missing out on cheap labour sources only because your Internet connection is letting you down.
Video conferencing
Video conferencing is virtually the closest you can get to a one-on-one meeting experience with remote participants. Businesses have adopted video conferencing to hold virtual meetings with stakeholders, clients, and staff. This has changed the dynamics of boardroom meetings; not all members have to be physically present in a session. Distant members can join in from anywhere at the touch of a button — saving time and travelling costs. The advantage is the real-time response and immersive engagement.
Videos are a complex media form. A video has to contain two tracks, one for image and the other for sound. Both have several attributes such as resolution, audio sampling rate, video frame rate, and frame size that summarises the overall video quality. Despite the advanced media compression algorithms employed in video processing, resulting video files and streams remain quite massive, especially with high-resolution content. At optimum compression rate, a one-hour HD720 30fps video condenses roughly into a 1GB MKV, FLV or MP4 file.
Anything lower than HD720 30fps quality-wise is often unacceptable. For this streaming quality, you need at least 2Mbps worth of bandwidth. For a more prestigious HD1080 60fps, the bandwidth needs to be above 7Mbps. Remember, you also have to accommodate the incoming streams from the other end of the conference call.
Online presence and advertising
It is vital for businesses to maintain an online presence to reach markets that are more competitive and create brand awareness. This calls for a website, a blog, or at least a landing page. Social media is an effective channel for interacting with the online community. These online platforms enable you to communicate your business and showcase your products and services to potential customers.
However, maintaining this online presence requires a hands-on approach in dealing with the dynamics of the online space. Companies have dedicated entire departments to managing company websites and social media pages. The online market is a lucrative and rewarding space but is equally demanding and constantly in need of nurturing. Tasks such as uploading new content and responding to online queries have to be regular and fast. Otherwise, the community might lose interest in your business. What matters here is not necessarily the Internet speed but rather its reliability and dependability. You cannot afford a single moment offline.
The Internet is a crucial tool and resource if you are looking to modernise your communication and transactions infrastructure. Its necessity in boosting e-commerce and telecommunication cannot be ignored, which is why you need a fast, dependable Internet connection. Have a chat with one of our solutions experts today and find out more about our range of data packages.
