Jack Roberts: Ensuring Adequate Broadband Connections to Run Cloud-Based Services

The cloud has transformed how businesses operate, from offering scalable computing resources to Software as a Service (SaaS) applications. Cloud services, such as SAP’s business technology platform, have gained a reputation for delivering a high level of efficiency, scalability and cost-effectiveness for businesses.

However, it’s important to be mindful of the requirements of these solutions, such as a strong internet connection, as they might affect how you engage with them. There are many benefits to implementing cloud services for personal or professional use – but they can only reach their full potential in the right circumstances.

SAP BTP’s cloud-based service provides businesses with a secure and scalable environment to create and deploy their own applications. Businesses can develop new applications and extend and integrate existing ones with other applications, resulting in streamlined operations. This enables users to work on a more personalized level with real-time access to analytics and faster processes.

Cloud services eliminate the need for businesses to invest heavily in hardware and software infrastructure, enabling them to reduce their capital expenses while also benefiting from a higher level of security and reliability.

Do broadband requirements change when deploying cloud services?

Deploying cloud services requires a reliable and high-speed internet connection. As more businesses move their operations to the cloud, their bandwidth requirements can increase, and it’s important to ensure that their internet connection can support the increased traffic. The successful implementation of cloud services could depend upon the organization’s current broadband package. This might even require a fiber-optic approach to guarantee a strong service. This often correlates with the number of machines and users that the service will need to accommodate.

Cloud services always require a reliable, high-speed internet connection to ensure seamless operation throughout a typical working day. The exact speed typically depends upon the company’s scale and the platform they wish to use – general requirements suggest that a dedicated 10 Megabits per second (Mbps) symmetrical is fast enough when there are 50 users or fewer. If the organization engages in frequent video calls and other broadband-intensive activities or has over 50 users to account for, 20 Mbps symmetrical could be the dedicated minimum.

There are also multiple factors beyond speed that are important, including low latency and high reliability; fast broadband means little without the infrastructure and strength to maintain this performance. Companies must audit their own networking setup to make sure they’re able to accommodate cloud solutions. They might even discover that their current approach requires more than 20 Mbps for a successful integration. Some firms need to dedicate at least 30 Mbps if their usual work involves a number of bandwidth-intensive processes.

Trade-offs of using cloud services on a lower-speed internet connection include reduced performance, decreased reliability, and lower quality of service. This may be acceptable for some users or applications, but for others, it can significantly impact their ability to work effectively and efficiently.

Network requirements for cloud-based services

In addition to internet connectivity, network infrastructure must also be strong and secure to protect sensitive data and prevent unauthorized access to the network. Businesses should consider using a Virtual Private Network to secure their connection to the cloud and encrypt their data while in transit. VPNs provide a higher level of security which makes them very useful to a majority of businesses.

While VPNs are an effective way to connect to cloud-based services securely, they do come with some trade-offs. The use of a VPN can result in slower internet speeds due to the additional encryption and routing required for the connection. Additionally, setting up and maintaining a VPN can require technical expertise and additional resources, such as dedicated servers or third-party software.

Companies that implement business technology platforms can benefit from a clearer understanding of their enterprise. For example, an organization can use and monitor BTP and its features in many different ways. For example, an organisation can use its monitoring service to manage its available licences and reduce reckless spending. This provides companies with insight and even freedom of how they use the platform.

The cloud offers many benefits to businesses, including cost savings, scalability and efficiency. To fully take advantage of these benefits, it’s crucial to ensure that the internet connection and network infrastructure can support cloud services and let them reach their full potential without disruption.

Jack Roberts is a digital marketing analyst at Bluestonex, which provide companies with the solutions they need to best configure their experience with SAP’s premium software. Passionate about UX innovations, he enjoys helping people get the most from their investments. When  not working, he’s discussing all things F1 or walking his dog, Ruppert in the scenic Shropshire countryside.