Network Planning and Modeling

Prior to the purchase or installation of any network hardware or software, you must define what capabilities your network infrastructure should have and how your network will expand to accommodate growth in your business. By developing a detailed plan you will ensure that your network is prepared for growth and expansion while keeping initial costs to a minimum. In some small offices I have found the network infrastructure to be overpowered for the use it will receive (the network provides features that may never be needed), while in others the users struggle from day to day making the most of an underpowered network. Many of these networks may have begun as powerful systems; however without a plan for growth they have become substandard. 

Network planning services include:

1. Assessment of your current information infrastructure.
   Examples include:
   How individual groups of employees operate and the type of information to be shared between employees.
   What applications are needed by all employees.
   The amount and type of security needed between groups of employees. (Accounting vs. Sales; Management vs. Production; etc.)

2. Assessment of your physical location (locations of floors or buildings to be connected).

3. Identify key technologies to be implemented (Email, Group collaboration, Internet access, web database applications, etc.).

4. Expected growth of your business (changes in number of employees, increased Internet activity with vendors or clients, mergers and acquisitions, etc.)

5. Recommendation of appropriate hardware and networking software (includes current price comparisons for each component).