Now, practically no computer is used as a standalone machine – each
computer is connected with some sort of a networking – intranet, internet, LAN,
CAN, MAN, WAN, Wi-Fi, VPN, etc. In fact, computer without a networking has verylimited use. The modern world generates
stupendous quantity of information, generally called data in IT parlance. The businesses
exploit the data, internal as well as external, for communication, marketing,
administration, delivering services, taking commercial decisions, etc.
THE BENEFITS OF COMPUTER NETWORKING TO BUSINESSES:
Lower Cost of setting up a computer network:
Cost of networking is comparatively very small compared to other costs involved in a business. While considering the cost, the most beautiful aspect is its equal affordability from a family owned small unit to a Fortune 500 corporation.
Sharing the resources to reduce the cost:
Xerox Machines, Printers, Scanners, CD and DVD burners, Projectors, Cameras, Internet Connection, Site (software ) licenses, Servers, Programmes, Data Storage Space, Files, etc can be shared by the employees leading to savings in terms of capital cost, recurring cost and space. Sharing of Internet connection, protected by a common firewall, with password-based log-in by the employees prevents the abuse of internet by the staff.
Fast Communication:
All the stake holders can communicate very quickly or even on real time basis across the gadgets – computer, mobile, iPad, tablets, etc by voice or email. Fast communication is crucial between the employees and also with the customers, particularly when the businesses in Service Industry are dealing with customers.
Feasibility of wide variety of communications:
In olden days communication was confined to written communication or over telephone. Thanks to networking, now the mode and medium of communications are many e.g. emails, in-house magazines, voice call (VOIP), instant messaging, webinars, video conferencing, chatting, etc. Moreover, many of these communications could be garnished with colourful graphics, emojis, sound tunes, etc to strengthen the message.
Cheaper marketing tool:
Cost of communication is negligible when compared with traditional channels and modes. This aspect is fully exploited for marketing by businesses through Push Notifications and emails.
Remunerative business of e-Commerce/Online shopping:
Computer Networking is playing pivotal role from converting an inquiry till the goods are delivered at customer’s doorstep. For the customer it is a matter of few clicks, but for the online stores there is a cobweb of computer network for procurement, warehousing, shipping, receipt of payment, refund, Customer Care, etc. The success of many new start-ups can be attributed to their strong end-to-end computer networking.
Cyber Watchdog:
Managers and owners are always, and for right reasons, skeptical about what would be going on in their absence from the workplace. The computer networking with security camera helps the businesses to keep an eye on the floor even though they might be away from the workplace. This helps in increasing the productivity, preventing the pilferage, shoplifting, controlling undesirable behavior, etc. The awareness of the staff members that they are under the prying eyes of a CCTV makes lots of difference even though the output of the CCTV at the other end might not be monitored continuously.
Queue Management:
Networking is very useful for businesses which have to handle queues of customers and the issues related to heavy rush of customers. The real time data on queue helps the Manager to provide support to needy staff or open more counters. Such proactive steps delight the customers and the staff members.
Tracking the vehicles and goods:
With the help of GPS and mobile telephony, movement of vehicle can be tracked and monitored on computer network. When the goods are shipped through other agency, the movement of parcels can be tracked till it is delivered to the addressee.
Improving the visibility of your Brand:
Social Media is a popular platform to reach out to thousands of your target audience. Networking of I T infrastructure across the enterprise facilitate to exploit the Social Media. Regular posting of blogs, pod casts, tips, How to’s, listicles, etc helps to improve the brand visibility of your business irrespective of the size of the business.
Avoiding the duplication of work:
As data base is shared on network, the need to keyed in the same data by another staff is avoided. This helps not only saving time and cost but also helps in uniformity of data and reducing the errors in data. This also helps in following Standard Operating Procedure for a given task even though the task is distributed amongst different places and amongst employees with different level of capabilities.
Providing Remote Support/Access:
Remote Support by the specialist can be provided to solve the technical problem with the system or install new software in computers connected with the network. This also helps when the desk of the employee is shifted without shifting his computer or in “Work from Home” scenario.
Centralized Data Backup:
For data protection and retrieval in case of exigency, Centralized Data Backup can be taken as per the scheduled time cycle or as and when required. Access to the data can be also monitored with graduated permission to access the data.
Better Customer Service:
If the data are available on enterprise network, no staff member will be required to collect from the customers the information about the dealing / transaction the customer has had. Networking will also facilitate the co-ordination between various departments or branch offices to resolve the customer complaints.
Better adaptation to new challenges:
Business environment is becoming very dynamic. To adapt the business processes as per the market conditions is a key to survival. Computer networking facilitates the upgradation or change altogether the business processes in consonance with the technology and products.
Conducive Work Environment:
Networking of computers in the business increases the productivity of the employees and lowers the cost of operations. It inculcates the habit of collaboration and team spirit. Employees feel that they are doing the work smartly and enjoy doing it. The amount of job satisfaction derived at the end of day is very high leading to better perception about the company.
When computer was invented, it was invented as a standalone calculating machine. At that time, even the most futuristic fictional article on computer had never envisioned its capabilities what we are exploiting today. Largest chunk of the credit of these capabilities can be attributed to networking.
As such, real time transmission of data across the enterprise is very important for the success of the business. The backbone of real time transmission of data is networking which could be as small and simple as linking two gadgets in a room or as large and complex as linking the people across the globe involving various technology, medium, devices, platforms, deliverables, speed, security, protocols, etc. The above blog seeks to discuss the benefits of networking to businesses.
The readers can email their comments, if any, to the blogger at gnpatel@gujaratinfotech.com).
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