Why Assess Your Network?
Evaluate Current Infrastructure: Identify potential bottlenecks or inefficiencies in your Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), and internet connectivity.
Support Growth: Ensure your network can handle increasing demands from business expansion, additional users, or new technologies.
Enable Future-Ready Solutions: Prepare for advancements like cloud integration, VoIP, and real-time communication tools.
Key Steps for Network Assessment
1. Identify Connected Devices
Take inventory of all devices on your network, including routers, switches, phones, and computers.
Map connections to understand usage and demand.
2. Check Data Cabling
Test cabling to verify performance for Fast Ethernet or Gigabit Ethernet standards.
Inspect for proper terminations and pathway integrity.
3. Assess Telephony Systems
Ensure compatibility with VoIP/SIP and other modern communication protocols.
Review analog systems, including PSTN and ISDN, for integration with newer networks.
4. Review Network Performance
Measure data traffic, response rates, and throughput.
Identify high-latency or high-jitter areas that may impact performance.
Monitor CPU, memory, and storage metrics for network devices.
5. Evaluate LAN Readiness
Determine if your network supports advanced features like video conferencing or time-sensitive data transmission.
Review environmental factors that may affect network availability.
Optimising Your Network
1. Implement Recommendations
Follow actionable insights from the audit report, prioritised using a traffic light system (green, amber, red).
Address high-risk areas first to improve security and reliability.
2. Upgrade Infrastructure
Replace outdated devices or cabling.
Consider high-speed internet options or fibre connections for enhanced performance.
3. Enable Advanced Features
Deploy VLANs for better traffic management.
Optimise configurations for VoIP and real-time communications.
4. Ongoing Monitoring
Schedule regular network assessments to adapt to evolving business needs.
Use monitoring tools to track performance and resolve issues proactively.
Customer Responsibilities
Provide access to your premises and relevant systems.
Participate in workshops and share accurate details about your IT strategy.
Complete a pre-work checklist to streamline the assessment process.
Get Professional Support
Pickle’s Connectivity & Communications Audit provides detailed insights and actionable recommendations tailored to your business needs. With options for Standard and Advanced assessments, we deliver reports and strategies to optimise your network for today and tomorrow.
Start assessing and optimising your network today to achieve seamless operations and reliable connectivity. For further assistance, contact our support team.