“Computer networking is like fitness and nutrition: we all know the essence, but making it a top priority is hard.”
Herminia Ibarra
Have you ever wondered why brands, business organizations, and conglomerates spend so much to create a robust and reliable computer network for their business?
As a small startup or medium-sized brand, you tend to cut down, manage or minimize your business expenses which is understandable, but it doesn’t have to be an outrageous starting. So, building a reliable computer network for your business should never be minimized; it goes a long way in growing your business and enhancing sales.
Stay tuned while I ride you through the importance of computer networking and application in your business.
What is Computer Networking?
A computer network can be defined as a set of interconnected sets of computer devices (laptops, desktops, smartphones, and tablets) located, shared, or provided by a single network node capable of communication, storage, transmission, and exchange of data, and information.
Computer networking helps minimize communication barriers and has been found helpful in different spheres like; homes, offices, government administrations, businesses, and others.
However, a common and vivid application of computer networks is found in business organizations.
Application Of Computer Networking In Business
“Networking can be referred to as an investment in your business. Though it may take a lot of time, with consistency and adequacy, it yields great results for years to come.”
Diane Helbig
Computer networking has so many advantages in every business organization and transaction, some of which will be highlighted below;
1. Medium of Communication
Computer networking is one of the most reliable and effective means of communication in a business organization within and outside a specific location. Every business with two or more employees needs a computer networking system to communicate, store and share information from different offices without moving from one place to another.
2. Information Sharing
Networking makes it easy to share data and information between several interconnected computers over a short period. All connected computers or devices (employees, customers) receive the information simultaneously, despite being in different physical and geographical locations from the resource.
3. Server-Client model:
Networking creates a server-client model, where information can be sent from a server to the database of employees called a client or from the employees to customers. It also allows employees and customers (with appropriate consent) to access the organization’s database remotely.
Server-Client-Model is often controlled and maintained by a centrally housed system administrator, which stores most of the organization’s data and information in massive computer storage devices called servers.
4. E-Commerce
The world keeps evolving, and we are in a century where buying and selling are preferred to be carried out online from different parts of the world without meeting remotely.
Computer networking creates an avenue for different buying and selling to be transacted online with other people from vast locations.
Examples of these transactions are;
• B2C (business-to-consumer)
• B2B (business-to-business)
• C2C (consumer-to-consumer)
• G2C (government-to-consumer)
• P2P (peer-to-peer)
Types of Computer Networking For Business
1. Local Area Network
Local Area Network is a type of computer networking where a group of computer devices is interconnected within a very short distance and a limited geographical area such as; small buildings and offices.
The computing devices are connected via a communication medium, namely, USB, coaxial cable, access points, switches, routers, and others.
It allows the transfer of data and information at a very high speed. It also provides a reliable security network with its inbuilt firewalls, network breach detectors, redundant links, traffic segregation, and load balancers to prevent a security breach from cybercriminals.
It is the cheapest type of networking because it is built with cheap hardware like; network adapters, hubs, and ethernet cables. It is more advantageous and advisable for small or startup businesses.
2. Wide Area Network
Big business organizations commonly employ or prefer to use a Wide Area Network because it extends over a wide geographical area such as states, countries, or continents.
It is more extensive, advanced, expensive, and reliable when compared to Local Area Network. It connects as many devices via telephone line, fiber, satellite links; a vivid example of this type of computer network is the internet.
Wide Area computer Network is commonly employed by large Business organizations with branches across different physical locations to allow transactions from vast business transactions from other geographical locations.
It is mainly owned and maintained by multiple administrators.
3. Personal Area Network
It is a personalized form of computer networking capable of communicating with connected devices within an approximate range of 10 to 12 meters.
It is mainly employed for personal use, startups, or small businesses with no employees.
4. Metropolitan Area Network
Its name implies a computer network that allows the dissemination of data and information over a metropolis or a region covering an extensive area.
Big brands and conglomerates with substantial geographical locations or significant office buildings use it.
It is often used to connect offices, conference rooms, and others. It can be owned or by a company or a single person.
5. Wireless Local Area Network
It is often classified as a type of Local Area Network because it possesses similar features.
It also connects computer devices that span a short geographical area but employs wireless connection, which does not need cables or ethernet connections.
It is also commonly employed by startups and small businesses.
6. Storage Area Network
It applies to all types of business scales; small, medium-sized, and large organizations.
It allows access to store or edit data and information over an extensive geographical area.
It connects many devices to multiple servers, which store and access information.
Advantages of Computer Networking To Business Success
• Large Storage Capacity
Computer Networking allows adequate storage of essential data and information and prevents all types of security breaches.
A central server saves all the organization and business data and information, which all employees can access from the server with proper consent for improved business operations.
It aids business transactions by storing customers’ information adequately and builds customers’ trust, creating a sense of responsibility and confidentiality.
• Improved Business Communication
Communication is essential in all business transactions.
Computer networking improves communication across all connected computing devices to a central database operating system within or outside the workplace.
It allows speedy and vast communication within customers, employees, employers and also provides access to network files from any connected device.
• Flexibility and Convenience
Computer networking brings about flexibility and convenience in every business transaction, especially when there is a considerable distance between the two transacting parties.
Computer networking aids e-commerce; most customers prefer business transactions to be carried out online across the globe.
Networking allows communication and sharing of information and data to be accessed and transferred easily and faster without employing manual methods like; USB drives, cables, or sending via boxes.
• Improved Customer Service
Computer networking allows, enhances, and builds a reliable and trustworthy customer relationship.
It enables business information to be accessed by employees, allowing them to attend to customers and clients professionally; provide adequate answers to their questions quickly, and update any new information on the customer into the organization’s database for future use.
Conclusion
Computer networking is an essential application of technology that needs to be leveraged by all business scales; small, startups, medium-sized, and big organizations. It offers many advantages that you cannot afford to miss out on as a business or brand owner. Proper use of computer networking brings sales and lead generation to every business. Try it.
