You may wonder why the computer industry may be interested
in internet protocol (IP) and IP networks. Let's face it, there is
hardly anything new about IP: everyone knows that IP is a
standards-based platform that supports the transport of data across
the internet.
Yet IP is becoming extremely interesting because it has evolved
into a standards-based platform that supports the transport not
only of data but also voice and video applications across a single
unified network infrastructure. And this platform can be
constructed, operated and maintained extremely cost-effectively.
No longer will you be forced into basing your IT and communications
set-up on the traditional method of separate circuits for each set
of applications (such as voice and data). For companies like yours,
a converged, single IP infrastructure will very likely make more
sense.
Put simply, IP and IP networks streamline your communication and
information needs. IP provides you with an opportunity to develop
the flexibility to enhance your communications and gain access to
information where and when you need it in the most accessible way.
By basing your IT and communications functions on IP, you will be
able to manage more effectively the services you require to do your
jobs and do them better.
This supplement will aim to show you how to achieve the latter
ambitions. We will look at how companies like yours successfully
and profitably use IP networks as the heart of an IT and
communications technology (ICT) strategy. We will examine the
fundamental deliverables of IP networks and how you can use IP
networks to leverage economies, in addition to taking advantage of
sophisticated features.
We'll advise you on the types of people from whom will you be
buying the essential technology and about what buying strategies
you should adopt. The importance of how you can assess the true
costs of IP networks and how to get the optimum return on your
investment will also be covered.
We will see how you can put together a strategy for business
continuity over IP that suits your company and also how to
introduce mobile IP technology in a controlled and cost-effective
manner, based principally on business benefits. Additionally, we'll
explain the IP security products and methodologies that you can use
to protect your business from attack.
The fundamental message will be that IP is the key to exploiting
the broadband services that could allow you to transform your
company and level the playing field when competing with both larger
companies and your peers.
The end result is that with IP for your IT and communications
needs, your business will be more adaptable and flexible in the
face of market and economic pressures, and ultimately more
competitive. We aim to give you the knowledge about how to harness
the power of IP to better run your company.