28 01, 2022

Five Steps to Reduce Network Latency

2022-01-28T17:38:39-06:00January 28th, 2022|Tags: , , , , , , , |

Instant access is the new normal. When customers, employees, or partners hit the Enter key, they expect an immediate response. An inability to meet such high expectations diminishes a brand’s reputation, lowers productivity, and increases churn. A number of items impact network performance, so let’s take a look at what latency is, how it arises, and how to reduce it. Latency is the time that elapses between when a request for data is made and the delivery of it occurs. Moving information from an end point to a central server and back again involves coordination among many different elements. Slowdowns can occur at many points. With networks, the focus is often on routers and switches. However, server processors, storage systems, end-user devices, application software, and a wide range of infrastructure software (security, operating systems, management tools) also impact response times. A delay at any intersection disrupts communications, and problems follow.  Web page load times increase, audio and video streams (which are very sensitive to disruptions) fail, and applications drone on. Illustrating the impatience of today’s user, more than half (53%) of them will abandon a web page that takes three seconds or longer to load. Since businesses require an average of 15 seconds to perform that task, latency impacts companies much more than they realize. So, how can your firm avoid the problem? Get a Measurement Tool or Service The first step to ensuring adequate response times is understanding how well your network is working. Vendors sell performance management tools. In addition, Managed Service [...]

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15 10, 2021

Secure Company Data with Virtual Private Networks

2022-02-28T16:38:44-06:00October 15th, 2021|Tags: , , , , , , , |

Corporate networks are constantly under siege by hackers. Consequently, organizations need solutions that protect their information. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) offer them an effective technique for ensuring that intruders do not sneak off with their data as they traverse the enterprise network. Mobility is the biggest benefits that Wi-Fi networks offer Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs). The widespread adoption of wireless connections has changed how work gets done. Employees are no longer chained to their desks. They often work remotely, getting closer to customers or having quiet time, so they can focus on tasks at home. Such connectivity makes workers more productive. But like any advancement, wireless networking comes with a price. As employees roam at remote corporate offices and beyond, they open themselves up to possible intrusion. Make no mistake, the bad guys are quite busy trying to break into business computers. In fact, a hacker attacks a system somewhere every 39 seconds, according to a study at the University of Maryland. While breaches at large organizations gain national headlines, 76% of SMBs reported a cyberattack within the previous 12 months, according to a Ponemon Institute. Security Holes Open Up Hackers attack because networks offer them – as well as legit users -- an entryway. Such openings are plentiful when employees work off site from their home or public Wi-Fi hotspots, such as a coffee shop, airport, or hotel. In many cases, these networks do not have any security checks, leaving personal data open to intrusion. Compounding the problem, wireless network designs have [...]

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8 10, 2020

Abandoned Cables – A Forgotten Fire Hazard

2020-10-08T16:22:03-05:00October 8th, 2020|Tags: , , , , |

Every year client businesses all over the nation spend thousands of dollars in technology to expand and upgrade their network cabling infrastructure to improve productivity. Every new installation means an increased number of low voltage cables that are cut and left in ceilings, floors, and walls. Miles of abandoned network cables have accumulated in hospitals, schools, and office buildings. From a tenant or building owner’s point of view, removing abandoned cable has been seen in the past as more trouble than it was worth. New cables were added wherever there was space, as it was easier to ignore the old wires rather than bringing in a professional to remove it. Cable abatement can be a difficult and confusing task, since over many years of occupancy a variety of voice, data, fiber optic, and electrical cables can build up. Removal by an inexperienced worker risks the chance of disconnecting a critical network’s operation and poses safety concerns, particularly when the weight of the old cables is not properly supported. However, this abandoned cable is now coming under more and more scrutiny by local governments and commercial property owners. Most outdated cable contains toxic and highly flammable materials that, if caught on fire, can be fatal and cause extensive property damage. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) revised the National Electrical Code in order to address this issue. The rules make it a violation to have abandoned wires that are not terminated and/or identified for future use. Because of this, abandoned cabling can render your property [...]

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24 09, 2020

Public Cloud’s Impact on Enterprise Networks

2021-02-19T16:45:55-06:00September 24th, 2020|Tags: , , , , , , , |

Corporations are moving to public cloud in growing numbers, and the increasing use of these services is having an impact on enterprise networks. Potential bottlenecks are shifting away from the company data center to network entry and exit points. Corporations must understand why the changes are occurring and their impact, and then take steps to ensure their networks deliver acceptable response times. Organizations are embracing cloud computing. Worldwide spending on public cloud services was forecasted to increase from $227.8 billion in 2019 to $266.4 billion in 2020, a 17% annual jump, according to market research firm Gartner, Inc. As workloads move from the company data center to the public cloud, enterprise network traffic patterns shift. The first change is corporations are deploying more applications: mobile, social media, data analytics, and artificial intelligence and machine learning. The result is they work with more information and need to carry it over their corporate networks. The volume of data generated annually is expected to grow from 33 zettabytes (1 trillion gigabytes) in 2018 to 175ZB in 2025, a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 61%. Changing Traffic Patterns Faster networking techniques are required as more information flows over enterprise networks. Recently, vendors started to roll out Wi-Fi 6, which increases wireless networks’ top speed from 1G bps to 2G bps to 10G bps. In addition, traffic flows shift. In the past, processing was monolithic: almost all was done in central data centers. Cloud distributes computing infrastructure: keeping some work on site but moving some off to public [...]

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21 08, 2020

Network Traffic Shifts from East/West to North/South

2021-01-27T00:14:07-06:00August 21st, 2020|Tags: , , , , , |

The growth of public cloud services boosts enterprise network traffic Public cloud has become popular because it offers organizations flexibility, lower costs, and more rapid deployment. One ripple effect from its growth is a significant change in corporate network traffic patterns. Typically, most traffic, traveled East-West, inside the data center, but cloud alters that equation so more data moves North-South from inside to outside. As they embrace these services, corporations often need to upgrade their networks to ensure adequate response time. Vendors, like Amazon Web Service, Microsoft, and Google Inc., are locked in an intense battle to emerge as the top public cloud provider. In response, they have been expanding their services and lowering pricing with the goal of attracting more customers. Their plans have been very successful. Worldwide spending on public cloud services and infrastructure is expected to grow from $229 billion in 2019 to nearly $500 billion in 2023, a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 22.3%, according to market research firm International Data Corp. A Lack of Focus When examining these services, businesses often focus on the impact on their applications and data center staffing. With public cloud, organizations deliver software updates more quickly. In many cases, businesses also reduce their data center operations staff needs. While the business drivers are compelling, one area that is often overlooked is public cloud’s impact on the enterprise network, which is quite dramatic. The perception that public cloud makes computing infrastructure invisible is a misconception. Whether organizations themselves deal with the computer infrastructure or someone [...]

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24 06, 2020

Wi-Fi 6 Supports Faster Speeds & New Naming Conventions

2021-01-27T00:14:11-06:00June 24th, 2020|Tags: , , , , , |

Technology constantly improves: more processing power, more features, and more options. Consequently, a need for more bandwidth follows. Wireless connections are quite popular, so recently, the Wi-Fi Forum completed the latest version of its standard, Wi-Fi 6, which increases the top speed to 10Gbps. Wi-Fi standards have been evolving since the first version was created at the turn of the millennium. The solutions are popular because they support a diverse group of devices: desktops, tablets, smartphones, and notebooks and a growing variety of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, such as sensors, health care monitors, and video cameras. The latest iteration, which is the first upgrade since 2014, differs from its predecessors in design, bandwidth, features, and naming conventions. Two Bands are Better than One Traditionally, Wi-Fi solutions operated over the 5GHz wireless frequency band. Wi-Fi 6 runs over two bands: 2.4GHz in addition to 5GHz. The 2.4GHz band was selected because it offers flexible, high speed connections, but it is not backward compatible with previous iterations of the standard. Speed is often the main attraction with new network options, and Wi-Fi 6 operates at 10Gbps compared to the 3.5Gbps available with Wi-Fi 5. When examining top speeds, the listed high water marks are usually more theoretical than actual because they focus on best case network design scenarios. Enterprises usually do not reach the maximum, but they should gain a significant boost in raw performance with the new networking approach. Design Changes Wi-Fi 6 supports a few new features that provide the extra speed. The [...]

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31 10, 2019

IFMA World Workplace 2019 Recap

2019-11-12T22:40:04-06:00October 31st, 2019|Tags: , , |

Our team is back from IFMA’s World Workplace 2019 and we’ve got some highlights to share with you! IFMA’s World Workplace was held October 16-18 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, AZ. Held annually in cities across the U.S., World Workplace is the most longstanding and well-respected learning and networking event for facility management and related professions. The facilities conference was attended by over 300 exhibitors and we estimate approximately 1000 FM professionals. Here’s our recap: Notes from the Conference Floor This was our first time exhibiting at World Workplace and we were very well received. Imagit was the only technology company exhibiting and attendees were excited to talk to us about how we could help them with structured cabling and more. Many facilities managers are directly affected by inefficient IT solutions or a lack of resources, so they were very happy to learn more about our offerings and make introductions to the IT decision makers within their organizations. The show had an efficient layout and the expo hours yielded a comfortable flow of traffic, ensuring we could comfortably speak with all attendees. The whole operation was a well-oiled machine. We were happy with the connections made overall and found the show to be a good value. Networking Opportunities We stopped by a couple of events during the show which were solid but not especially notable. We would love to see more attention in this area, encouraging attendees to mingle outside of the conference. That said, we were able to tee up meetings [...]

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20 11, 2018

Expand Your Business with Imagit’s Engineers!

2020-12-07T21:37:35-06:00November 20th, 2018|Tags: , , |

Have you turned down work because you don’t have the coverage or capabilities to complete your client’s request? Stop saying “no” and start selling outside your zip code with help from your partners at ImagIT! How We Help MSPs ImagIT is a nationwide network IT services company specializing in providing on-site support for MSPs, VARs, and IT professionals. As an experienced “MSP for MSPs”, ImagIT is here to help you take your organization to the next level. Our team of 400 expert engineers are ready to take on any need you may have and help you grow your business while delighting your clients. Key Differentiators ImagIT Project Management Office: Our complete Project PMO and expert training process allow us to complete large multi-site projects efficiently to ensure success and a seamless experience. ImagIT Flexible Pricing Model: We will work with you to provide the best client experience, including going above and beyond to customize every service package. ImagIT Engineers: Our nationwide network of 400 vetted engineers consistently deliver top-quality results for your clients. Expand your capabilities! With ImagIT as your partner you can add value to your clients by providing the consultative and comprehensive IT support services they need. Our vendor agnostic, channel focused company works with your team to provide a wide range of white labeled IT services. Our experienced team of smart hands has the capabilities to complete nearly any engagement. ImagIT's adherence to partner standards and best practices yields a high rate of success, client satisfaction, and repeat business. Expand your [...]

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20 11, 2018

Investing in IT: How to Choose the Best Option

2020-12-07T21:43:37-06:00November 20th, 2018|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

One thing we see a lot at ImagIT is that many people don’t think about the true cost of a job well done. When we submit a proposal for IT services, it’s always based on our real experience of the work and resources required for a quality solution that meets your needs. But for people who aren’t working in IT day in and day out, it’s hard to know the true cost of dependable, skilled IT services. When someone tells you about cheap IT services, it can be tempting to assume the best about the integrity and experience you’ll get for your dollar. Unfortunately, this often results in higher overall costs when all factors come to light. Is it Apples to Apples? It’s important to understand what is and isn’t included in the proposals you receive. Begin by making a comparison chart of primary aspects such as price, delivery time frame, and services so you can truly compare apples to apples. Look for proposals that spell out exactly what you will receive, rather than ones that make broad or vague statements. Companies that are not detailed about what is included in the contract, such as hours of training, change orders, on-going costs, etc., will not deliver what you think they promised. Don’t Assume All IT Companies Are Equal Price quotes can vary for a multitude of reasons, and so can a company’s experience. When it comes to IT services, and especially large-scale projects, you want the most qualified company for the job. A lesser-experienced [...]

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12 10, 2017

Opening a new office? You need this network infrastructure guide.

2019-12-05T18:52:14-06:00October 12th, 2017|Tags: , |

There are a variety of challenging decisions you have to make whenever you open a new office. Where should your new office be located? Who should staff it? And perhaps most importantly, will you have a network infrastructure in place that allows your new location to flourish? A properly functioning network infrastructure connects various devices throughout your office, allowing your hardware components and software applications to interact seamlessly with each other. To put it simply, your new office won’t be able to provide your customers with the services or care they need if your IT infrastructure is lacking. Imagine a client being unable to reach you due to a flawed voice network, or losing valuable data because you don’t have the right disaster recovery backup solutions in place. These are scenarios you should do everything in your power to avoid. So where should you begin? To help you make informed decisions as you’re building out your new office, we’ve created a Network Infrastructure 101 Guide that walks through the steps you need to take to ensure your IT infrastructure fulfills your organization's needs. This guide touches on essentials to any infrastructure plan, including: Laying the foundation for your network by making sure your voice and data cabling needs are met both now and in the future Creating a cohesive environment with network engineering and systems engineering Finding the best storage and backup solutions for your information Making decisions on voice, internet, access control and more Take a detailed look at your network infrastructure planning and [...]

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