More bandwidth! More bandwidth! The cry goes out incessantly from every industry and type of business, and Internet Service Providers struggle to keep up with growing needs. The Internet of Things (IoT) and new Internet of Senses each bring a growing need for increased bandwidth. So how do you know just how much Internet bandwidth you need for your particular industry and business?
Calculating Your Bandwidth Needs
How much bandwidth you need depends mainly on the amount of data you send and receive to maintain regular business operations. If you mainly rely on emailing documents or transferring smaller files, you don’t need large amounts of bandwidth. If you often videoconference with other locations, you’ll obviously need more.
Other factors that determine your bandwidth needs can include networking multiple locations, how much data you share between branch locations, your cloud computing needs, website hosting, secure data transfers, and more. Certain applications require more bandwidth than others, making it necessary to boost your available bandwidth:
- VoIP
- CRS
- PoS
- ERP
- HD video conferencing
- Secure/multi-layered financial transactions
Various industries use different technologies that can demand higher levels of bandwidth and greater reliability and uptime. How does your industry's needs compare with the following list?
What Types of Data Do Industries Need and Use?
Clearly all companies have a need for a network that can support applications and business operations. Beyond that, there are unique needs for each industry that call for bandwidth needs that could vary widely. Here are some notable examples:
Construction
Modern construction operations are highly digitalized and connected through networking. Much data is transferred to stakeholders and users, and is backed up with cloud-based solutions. New technologies use GPS to track equipment and even human workers for increased safety and accountability. And many construction sites are located away from populated areas, making it necessary for Internet and bandwidth solutions that can be delivered to remote locations.
Healthcare
The technological needs of modern healthcare organizations seem to grow in size and scope each year. Claims data, treatment and diagnostic software, cloud-based solutions, secure storage, wearable diagnostic devices, remote monitoring, and live EMR feeds all require adequate bandwidth and reliable connections with instant backup solutions available to eliminate downtime.
Automotive Dealers
Today’s automotive dealers capture and operate on a wide range of important data. Securely storing and transferring inventory data, customer data, sales activity data, sales conversion data, and more requires an adequate flow of information between dealer locations, factories, and other stakeholders. Not to mention hosting a completely separate client-facing network for customers to access and use.
Biotech
Modern biotech companies depend on the rapid and secure sharing of lab research, peer research, and access to cloud services with advanced technology. Some of the same remote monitoring devices are used as in healthcare settings. Secure communications with other research centers and labs are a must, whether through voice or video.
Education
Education institutions of today no longer rely on pencils and paper. Practically everything is digitalized, stored securely, accessed remotely, and available instantaneously. This includes teacher and staff information, student and parent information, payroll data, textbooks and lesson plans, individual student needs, institutional financial data, and even the library. Add to this the demands of virtual learning, and the need for huge amounts of bandwidth is obvious.
Financial
Virtually everything in the financial industry relies on the secure and rapid transmission of data between banks, stakeholders, and clients. Credit card transactions, billing and invoices, communications, payroll data, property data, tax data, business data, and more are essential for the day-to-day operations of innumerable businesses and organizations.
Government
Our federal government is a driver of change in technological circles, adopting and using various levels of high-end devices and tech that demand loads of bandwidth. Incredibly sensitive information on citizens, government operations, our security and interests, and more are shared and used all across the globe by government representatives. This includes the Iot, artificial intelligence, security and intelligence operations, as well as taxpayer information and ongoing communications. State and local governments are continually called on to do more with less, making them lean heavily on technology and data solutions.
Warehousing
Today’s warehousing and logistics industry is highly automated and connected through technology that relies on cloud computing and fast, reliable data transfer. Warehouse management systems, automated picking tools and equipment, automated guided tools, inventory control and management and the Internet of Things all require huge amounts of bandwidth.
Hospitality
Smart technology and data sharing is reshaping the hospitality industry as modern hotels adopt advanced energy management systems, data management, maintenance and security protocols. Even smart guest experiences reduce the errors from human interactions and allow for a better overall hotel and service experience. All this demands large amounts of data and reliable connections that depend on adequate bandwidth.
How can your company adequately assess your own bandwidth needs? The MHO Download Simulator can help you visualize how long it takes to download various sizes of file types at different bandwidth speeds. This can be a valuable tool to help you calculate the needs for your company.
Give it a try and then call us at MHO for more specific assistance with providing enough bandwidth and more for your vital company operations, now and in the future.
