Simon Brown, Managing Director, Scalable, gives his views about The Simply Connected Campus

Users want the freedom to access applications and information whenever they want to and from whatever device is most convenient. IT organisations must control access to applications and corporate data while containing costs. Simon Brown, Managing Director, Scalable, gives his views about how the two sets of apparently conflicting objectives can be met.

A new generation of workers is entering the workplace. Generation Y grew up with technology. Armed with iPhones, BlackBerrys, laptops, mobile phones and other gadgets, Generation Y is plugged in 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And it expects the same flexibility and freedom in the way it works, in other words to be ‘simply connected’.

Is it good news for companies? We think so. At our customers we’ve seen productivity rise significantly after we’ve implemented networks that allow employees and contractors to have access to applications and information when and where they need it. Add social networking, video and video conferencing and there are even greater possibilities for improving collaboration and efficiency.

The downside is that providing the type of access Generation Y demands makes IT departments distinctly nervous. When we talk to customers the first conversation we have with them is typically about security. In ‘simply connected’ networks, security has to be dynamic and follow the user. Traditional security solutions that are focused on the device just aren’t suitable.

As a vendor independent company we’ve taken the time to investigate and select a small number of best-of-breed solutions. One of them is Junos Pulse from Juniper Networks, which allows IT departments to manage security without having to manage the device.

Junos Pulse is an integrated, multi-service client that sits on mobile and non-mobile devices. With a user experience that requires little or no interaction, Junos Pulse serves as a gateway for user authentication, endpoint services and comprehensive integrity checks. As a result, it provides a centralised way for IT to apply mobile policies by user type, regardless of device type.

In addition, Juniper SRX Series Services Gateways deliver a full suite of security and networking services. The consolidation of routing, WAN connectivity, switching, and Unified Threat Management (UTM) simplifies deployment and administration while delivering fast and consistent service quality regardless of user location.

But we also have to be aware that security isn’t the only barrier to providing Generation Y workers with the seamless wired and wireless experience they crave.

If organisations aren’t careful mobility adds another level of complexity to companies’ networks. So, when designing ‘simply connected’ networks it’s not only important to combine an appropriate mix of wireless and wired access, it’s also important to look at how complexity can be reduced.

To simplify the wired elements of the networks we provide we often use Juniper EX Series Ethernet Switches. Their virtual chassis technology allows multiple switches to be interconnected, configured and managed as a single logical device. As a result, we need fewer devices, fewer connections and looping protocols are eliminated. Consequently, we can deliver networks that are ‘wired less’, improving performance while reducing operational cost and risk.

In addition, to ensure the wireless experience is as good as the wired one, Juniper WLA Series Wireless LAN Access Points provide the reliability, scalability and seamless roaming for even the most demanding applications, such as video over wireless.

At Scalable our focus is on using the best technologies to help our customers create intelligent, converged networks that enable them to embrace new commercial opportunities, increase profitability and drive competitive advantage. Partnering with Juniper Networks to ensure workers can be ‘simply connected’ is a key part of that.

Founded in 1997, Scalable has an enviable reputation as an IP networking and security specialist. We put the intelligence into IP networks; secure, converged, high performance IP networks that are optimised for you now and provide agility for your future. Partnering with Scalable has enabled organisations such as Conde Nast Publications, B&Q and Liverpool Women’s Hospital to drive increased profitability and competitive advantage. We take pride in our unequalled IP expertise, our deep understanding of emerging technologies and our strategic relationships with best-of-breed vendors. Delivering both data centre and campus solutions, we work with you consultatively to assess, design, implement, optimise and support your network, taking a cyclical approach of continuous improvement. For more information please contact us

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