Emerging Technologies Demand a Cloud-Centric Network
Steve Coakley Head of Network Propositions, BT Ireland
There are no limits to what people can achieve when they connect and, as technology changes our world, connections are becoming even more vital to our every day.
From our position at the heart of global networks, we see organisations seeking to delight an increasingly sophisticated and demanding customer base while navigating a rapidly evolving technological environment, increasing global instability and constant cyber threats. Meeting this challenge demands fresh thinking and innovative advances.
Ireland Epitomises the Global Networking ‘Ask’
Ireland is a prime example of a thriving economy eager to utilise emerging technologies.In particular, its economic growth surpassing global and EU averages combined with a workforce recognised by the OECD as one of the most educated in the world makes it fertile ground for foreign direct investment (FDI). A key focus for this FDI is Ireland’s “high-value-added clusters of enterprises in advanced manufacturing and global business services”, noted in AmCham’s US-Ireland Business 2023 report.
These sectors highlight the shifting priorities that have universal business implications. Increasing dependency on Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) and automation is driving demand for simple, more effective multi-cloud connectivity to enable the extraction of maximum value from technology choices.
New World, New Network Requirements
Cloud-based services (from storage, through to SaaS, Security Service Edge and programmable networking) offer proven routes to agility and the effective leveraging of AI and machine learning. They provide a cost-effective model that’s particularly attractive to new market entrants wanting to minimise initial capital expenditure. Plus, they deliver robust options for easily embedding security services into IT infrastructure and maintaining data sovereignty compliance.
However, it’s increasingly clear that traditional networks are becoming the weak link in this scenario. They’re unable to deliver the agility necessary to adopt new technologies at pace or the quality of experience that keeps productivity high. Organisations must evolve traditional networks to consistently underpin mission-critical applications and workloads or provide end-to-end data-routing control for compliance.
A Network Fit for the Future
At BT, we’re privileged to serve customers globally in 180 countries, including 95% of FTSE 100 companies. To keep our services fit for the future, we’ve invested £2.8bn in R&D over the last five years.
Our latest innovation is Global Fabric, a new, cloud-centric network, architected to support customers operating in multi-cloud environments. It’s a programmable global platform, based on the latest networking technologies. Built at the doorstep of the cloud, it’s plugged directly into the large cloud service providers to deliver the performance and frictionless service organisations want. It can boost sustainability too, supporting carbon emission reduction through improved energy efficiency.
Global Fabric Benefits for Global Business
Better application performance, promoting increased employee productivity and external revenue.
Improved network operational efficiency through integrated operational tooling.
Cost control through optimised cloud and network total cost of ownership.
Traffic routing that actively supports security and sovereignty compliance.
Global Fabric connects businesses to an ecosystem of opportunity to drive innovation and success. Get in touch if you’d like to find out more.
www.btireland.com/solutions/global-fabric
