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| What
is network planning? |
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Network planning is the process of
outlining business requirements and growth plans to build a blueprint
for connecting computers and other equipment in your company. Thinking
through your business needs before jumping into implementation eases
the installation process, and increases the likelihood that the
network solution you design will match your requirements now and in
the future.
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| How do
I get started? |
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The first steps in crafting a plan are
assessing current network requirements and considering how your
business will change over time. Here are some ideas to help you start
the planning process:
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Assess usage
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Determine the number of people who will
be using the network to get a rough idea of the computers and
peripherals it must support. Consider how users will interact with the
system to define the features you need. For example, if you want to
encourage collaboration, you might want to include specific file
sharing or scheduling applications.
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Gather input
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Factor the needs of the various
departments within your company into your network plan. Start by
asking each group to define its requirements and specify the payback
from requested features in terms of time or money saved. For example,
your sales department might desire certain remote access features,
while your finance department might require specific security
measures.
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Build in expansion
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Detail, to the best of your knowledge,
the direction your business is likely to take in the future. As you
think about expansion, identify plans that might affect your network
needs, such as adding employees, geographic expansion, facilitating
remote work, or the integration of new applications. Doing this now
will be less expensive and time-consuming than replacing an inadequate
network later.
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Decide how to handle installation and
management
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As your network solution comes into
focus, decide whether you want to install and manage it in-house or
outsource these tasks. Networking products have become easier to
administer over the years, so many small companies have found that
handling management internally is increasingly cost-effective. If you
decide to outsource management to a consultant or value-added reseller
(VAR), consider using remote network administration to reduce the
number of on-site visits necessary to keep the system running
smoothly.
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Address security
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Build security features into your network
plans from the get-go to protect one of your company's most important
assets – its information. Common network security precautions include
passwords, virus protection, internal and external firewalls, and data
encryption.
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| How
can I get the most out of the network planning process? |
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You can enhance the foundation of your
network plan by addressing other considerations that may affect the
integration, use and maintenance of your system. Key issues include:
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Knowledge management
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Consider how to manage information on
your server so that network users can quickly find what they need.
Some businesses create standardized naming conventions for files on
the server and establish rules for the creation of new folders. Others
build searchable databases to help team members find key information
quickly or provide communications tools for facilitating information
exchange.
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Remote access
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If some staff members travel frequently
or work from locations outside your main office, you may want to build
remote access capabilities into your network. This can be done through
remote dial-in, or securely over the Internet using a virtual private
network (VPN).
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Staff training
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While working with a network is simple,
it does demand that employees adopt new habits. A training program
will encourage staffers to take full advantage of your network's
timesaving and productivity-enhancing features. Build training time
into your network rollout calendar, and offer follow-up sessions to
address ongoing staff challenges and concerns.
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