Fiber to the Edge (FttE)

Our networks are expected to support more experiences than ever, and that list keeps getting longer as we develop new technologies that help us live more connected, safer, smarter, easier, and better lives. These new technologies enable many amazing experiences including growing trends like: BYO devices for learning and work, remote healthcare to allow access for more people, bring your entertainment with you while traveling, and employees connecting through video conferencing enabling global collaboration amongst teams. All of these changing experiences in medicine, education, retail, hospitality, and the workplace rely on an infrastructure to support them, requiring the network to change with them.

The top six technologies you should plan for in your next generation local area network (next-gen LAN) are 5G, Internet of things (IoT), WIFI, smart building technologies, telecommuting, and Virtual or Augmented Reality.

We are living in a different era. The number of mission critical applications inside buildings being supported by IT infrastructure has expanded by orders of magnitude across 3 phases of evolution. The number of rudimentary property management, building automation, accounting and telecommunications services that were deployed up to the turn of the century were eclipsed exponentially by the number and complexity of IP-based, SaaS systems that were deployed throughout the last 15 years. That benchmark now seems low compared to the magnitude, complexity and intelligence of 4^th Industrial Revolution systems. Put simply, current networks can’t efficiently make this leap.

Today, most enterprises will layer on a whole new network each time they want to update or add another building management system to the network. This approach of adding multiple layers of single-purpose infrastructure causes crowded cable trays and maxed-out closet space. This type of digital transformation requires a digital backbone in place.  Is your network ready?

There are many technologies and applications coming on line that could disrupt your network if you are not prepared.  But what about the changes we don’t predict.  Which application will take off that we don’t even know about yet.  When disruption comes to your network, can you allocate and prioritize based on emerging needs.  Or does your network limit your reactions and your reaction times?