Small branch offices can be costly and challenging to manage from an IT perspective. Users in small branch offices need access to the same company resources and IT support as users in larger offices, but there is typically no physical IT support presence. There are ways to reduce costs and improve IT operations at small branch offices that business IT departments should consider.
Four Ways IT Can Save On Small Branch Office Costs
IT often struggles with managing small remote branch offices with fewer than 10 users. With no IT support on-site, these offices often have expensive WAN connections, domain controllers, and file servers, and sometimes even e-mail and application servers on site that need to be managed and maintained. This all adds up to high operational costs and likely a subpar end-user experience in many smaller branches. Consider the following options to reduce costs and improve IT operations for small branches.
Evaluate WAN Connectivity
Many smaller branch offices have costly T1s in place for connectivity with regional or head offices. Many higher-bandwidth, less-expensive options that can slash costs by 75% or more are available. For example, a T1 might cost $500 a month or more, while a DSL or cable Internet connection with more download bandwidth and slightly less upload bandwidth can be had for as little as $40 to $60 a month. And with emerging options such as Verizon FiOS that provide 10 times the symmetrical bandwidth of a T1 becoming available for as little as $100 a month, businesses should definitely re-evaluate the practice of deploying T1s at small branches.
WAN Optimization Software
Those familiar with WAN optimization appliances will understand how a software client for remote workers can significantly improve performance over the WAN. Rather than deploying a costly WAN optimization controller at small branch offices, businesses now have the option of purchasing software to run on the remote user PC or laptop. The cost will range from about $80 to $150 per client, but will likely reduce bandwidth demands by at least 50% and improve WAN performance significantly. WAN optimization vendors claim that users will experience LAN-like performance over the WAN. In addition, a WAN optimization implementation can accommodate server and application centralization.
SSL VPN Technology
If users have a defined set of resources and applications that they need access to, an SSL VPN could be a cost-effective solution for small branches. SSL VPNs provide several potential benefits, including offering many security features, simplified management, clientless operation, and easy and granular administration. An SSL VPN appliance typically would be deployed centrally, and small-branch-office users access the SSL VPN appliance, and company resources, via a standard Internet browser. All that's required is a PC with an Internet browser and an Internet connection at the branch. Administration and management are all done centrally by IT staff. Again, an SSL VPN deployment will reduce or eliminate the need for domain controllers, file servers, and application servers at the branch office.
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