How Enterprises Are Addressing Network Latency to Meet Data Demands

The demand for data increases all the time, with internet users requiring the information they want anytime and anywhere. Enterprises continue to struggle to address network latency, knowing that any delay in providing data to end users can result in lost business and lost opportunities.

Network latency remains a problem, and is likely to continue to be for some time. While real-time data is the immediate focus, the wealth of data means technology will provide you with more than that. Predictive analytics will work to anticipate what’s coming next, rather than just what’s currently happening.

The Factors Influencing Network Latency

While network connectivity is often the first examination for latency, it’s not always the culprit. Data management and the infrastructure’s architectural design often have a part to play. For some companies, the level of traffic moving to and from the servers outpaces the traffic going in and out of the data center. This leaves an IT team consistently looking for ways to reduce packet loss and improve network latency rates.

The Role of Data Virtualization

One way to address network latency is through the introduction of data virtualization (DV). This approach creates separate data layer access that can be stretched across the enterprise. It offers users a view of the data without having to search numerous storage systems in an effort to track down what they need. DV offers a centralized archive that provides real-time data access, even as volume or complexity increases.

Infrastructure Still Matters

While DV is one way to address network latency, that doesn’t mean any enterprise should ever bypass an examination of their infrastructure in resolving latency issues. For instance, any enterprise launching a fleet of Internet of Things (IoT) devices should start with infrastructure to ensure there are no underlying problems contributing to latency issues. Many IoT devices, such as autonomous cars and healthcare monitors, are exchanging information that is highly time-sensitive, and ensuring infrastructure is not contributing to latency is a critical step.

In some situations, latency is caused by the adoption of applications and other technology that is not quite ready for a complex network infrastructure. Shadow IT and bring your own device (BYOD) programs can further complicate the network when employees download applications that may introduce latency problems.

The speed at which data is being exchanged isn’t likely to slow down, so enterprises must make addressing network latency a priority.

At One Connect, we start by evaluating your current network design to see how your business is utilizing services before recommending a path forward. Contact us to talk further about network latency and how your enterprise can address common challenges with network connectivity.