More applications will be added to the enterprise network, which will place strain on resources as companies battle to keep up with demands.
Employees are anticipated to demand more from networks, including increased access to wireless networking, cloud-based offerings, video and virtualisation, says Gartner. Neil Rickard, Gartner research VP, says this will “make a real mess of data centre networks”.
Rickard notes that network providers face a number of constraints in filling these demands, and could limit the move to virtual services as a result.
He explains that non-IT-related aspects, such as plant automation, surveillance and access, are also likely to be incorporated into networks, adding to the workload.
IT networks have gone through several generations of change in the last three decades, he says. The latest change, incorporating voice, took a decade to implement.
However, the current move to hyper-convergence, incorporating technological operations, video and several other applications, is equivalent to four or five generational changes, and is likely to happen in the next five years, he says.
Rickard anticipates an environment in which people are connected to the network through wireless technology, while operational aspects, such as access control, are hard-wired.
In addition, says Rickard, voice will become an application that is hosted on the network, and unified communications linking instant messaging, e-mail and voice will start adding value to businesses.
Video will also have a “huge impact” on companies as more people talk to each other through this medium, placing more strain on networks, says Rickard. Video has the potential to become a nightmare as it is unpredictable, and will increase in use as most people view it as free, without any regard for the hidden costs, he says.
As a result, Rickard notes, companies need to make sure they have the architecture in place to cope with increasing demands. Firms need to plan five years ahead, he adds.
* Nicola Mawson is being hosted courtesy of Gartner.
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