Based on the rapidly changing work and lifestyle with the COVID-19 pandemic, trends that will shape network technologies in 2021 are also shaped by priorities. With an announcement, Zyxel Networks detailed the 2021 network trends that will be important in the future of both institutions and the channel.
Despite the 2020 predictions focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) and the cloud this year, we faced developments that were against everyone's expectations. 2020 has been an important year of change in terms of both market instability and mass digital transformation. While businesses that do not have robust layouts were struggling, the transition to remote working system, which increased its importance as both an opportunity and a necessity to diversify and maintain business continuity, accelerated.
As a result, the epidemic did not slow down innovation. Managed Service Providers / Integrators (MSPs) and Value Added Partners (VARs) have shown that they play a pivotal role in helping companies of all sizes maintain business continuity and adapt to new and existing challenges.
Many businesses today are facing the increasing number of new networked devices and the challenges of implementing widespread telework operations. Changing conditions and difficulties cause the solutions that the business world needs most.
In the light of all these changes, the 2021 network trends announced by Zyxel Networks are listed as follows.
WiFi 6 for high density environments
WiFi 6 will lead the network transformation to significantly improve and improve network performance by increasing overall capacity while reducing network latency.
Thanks to WiFi 6, which will provide faster and more consistent connections for every user, even in high-density environments with more connected devices, more users and devices will be able to connect to networks without deteriorating performance or response time.
Cloud-based network: both an understanding and a solution
Offering new levels of flexibility and access through remote work, cloud technology has revolutionized the way businesses operate. The adoption of cloud-based networks can increase the efficiency of businesses while reducing their costs, thus allowing organizations to remotely manage their IT services. Hosting systems on remote servers offered by cloud technology provide a more secure solution by protecting information and preventing data loss. While organizations need to consider many different issues when it comes to moving a business network to the cloud, it is important for companies to identify their priority approach. Moving a network infrastructure to the cloud takes time and requires the adaptation of employees from all levels of the business.
All organizations, regardless of scale, need to have a clearly defined strategy and business goal behind their transition to the cloud. In the coming period, both VARs and MSPs should work closely with corporate end users to ensure a smooth transition to the cloud.
5G: The fastest bus ever
5G will revolutionize network communication for businesses and provide an ideal solution for service providers by providing higher speeds compared to fiber networks operating at an average speed of 150-200 Mbps. In addition, next-generation mobile communication technology will provide lower latency, higher capacity, enhanced flexibility, security and real-time services that can revolutionize businesses of all sizes.
According to the GSMA, 2025G networks, which are likely to cover a third of the world's population by 5, have the potential to provide significant benefits for businesses. The proliferation of higher-bandwidth 5G networks will make it easier for businesses to transfer large volumes of data and then create opportunities for edge computing. This is of great benefit for businesses as it reduces the amount of data sent to and received from cloud servers.
Hybrid network: ideal solution for business
The role of IT networks is changing: Traditional network models are expected to adapt and change to the needs of an organization and technologies emerging in today's digitized world.
As employees are no longer limited to one office, the hybrid network is an ideal solution for many businesses. The hybrid network uses two different network technologies to create connections between users, devices, and sites. With more 'distributed' systems than ever, some users of businesses can work over Ethernet, some over Wi-Fi, and some over home internet or 4G / 5G wireless networks. Using technologies such as Cloud Managed Network or SD-WAN, businesses can easily manage and route traffic from different connections to the central network.
“Using different network infrastructures reduces the risk of network disruptions,” said Jean-Marc Guignier, Vice President of Zyxel Networks EMEA. Hybrid networks offer more flexibility and capacity, improved application performance and cheaper price points. MSPs need to position themselves as industry experts and trusted advisors by helping customers plan and manage these hybrid environments. ”
Security and data privacy remain top priority
Security will remain a top priority for MSPs in 2021. As cybercrime becomes more qualified and attack methods become more sophisticated, the constant race for more security will continue. This race may become more challenging due to the distributed labor force. Connecting employees to a network from different locations and different devices can leave the network vulnerable and vulnerable to cyberattacks.
During the pandemic, the knowledge, expertise and skills of MSPs once again demonstrated the importance of this issue. According to IDC statistics, 59% of managed service providers offer more security than any other business model, and this statistic is expected to become more important in the future.
The future of the corporate channel
According to IDC data, 41% of employees will continue to work from home for a while after the pandemic. The demands on the network will continue to increase and MSPs will play a crucial role in maintaining network continuity in changing business environments.
More businesses will rely on third-party experts for IT expertise they no longer have in-house, in response to the current economic environment. To facilitate this need, VARs and MSPs must place emphasis on training and developing their teams to provide customers with valuable advice and expertise on new trends and technologies in turbulent times.
MSPs that invest in education and adopt developing technology as a differentiator will be successful in 2021. However, providers who want to achieve this success need to adapt to current trends before it is too late.
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