Small Business Networking: The Basics

Small business networking isn't about exchanging business cards at trade shows. In today's global economy, small business networking is about reducing your operating costs. Reacting quickly to changing markets and customer needs. Being prepared for the future.

Small business networking begins with a secure, reliable, fast data network foundation. Here are 7 ways small business networking can transform your company:

1. Work Anywhere

Small business networking using technologies such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) enable mobile employees and teleworkers to securely work at home, on the road, or at customers' offices. They have full, secure, remote access to your phone system, data network, customer database, and any other tools needed to be productive. It's almost like they're in the office.

2. Access Customer Data Wherever, Whenever

With secure small business networking, you can input, update, and view information about customers in a database. The database can be accessible using a computer, phone, or handheld device. Having constant, secure access to customer information helps workers better serve customers. And satisfied customers often result in increased revenues.

3. Be Prepared for the Future

Secure, flexible small business networking allows you to easily, cost-effectively add new applications, such as voice and video, when needed. Your business will be better positioned to keep ahead of competitors and offer new services to customers, both of which help your business grow.

Adding voice and wireless to your secure small business networking provides additional benefits:

4. Streamline Network Management

Combining voice, data, and other applications on one network simplifies network installation and management. And a single network requires less physical square footage, which helps maximize expensive office space.

5. Communicate More Effectively

A secure voice/data network foundation lets you check e-mail, voice mail, and faxes from one inbox. A single phone number will ring simultaneously on multiple devices, preventing callers from landing in voice mail. Employees can hold impromptu meetings online with colleagues, partners, suppliers, and customers. With enhanced communications, your company can more easily expand globally.

6. Reduce Costs

Consolidating all your communications onto a single network saves companies an average of 46% in network costs, according to market research firm IDC.

7. Use Your Phone as a Computer—and Your Computer as a Phone

Having one secure network for voice, data, and wireless can give your business benefits not possible before. Your employees can roam the sales floor, warehouse, office, or campus with their phones, so they're never out of touch. They can use their wireless phones to look up customer data, access the company directory, get stock quotes, and perform other tasks. When traveling, employees can use laptops to make and receive calls using your company's full phone system—just as they would if they were in the office.

Next:

• Preparing for an End-to-End Cisco Network
• The Five Productivity Benefits of a Secure Network