Network Infrastructure for Growing Businesses: What You Need to Know

Todd Middlebrooks
Jun 16
5 min read

Two men analyzing network infrastructure to ensure proper network connectivity and performance.

If you have aspirations for expanding your small or mid-sized business, opening new campus and branch locations, or even supporting a growing remote workforce, your network infrastructure must be ready.

Network infrastructure isn't just cables, routers, and access points, it's the critical root system that connects your business, supports applications, efficiently manages data flows, and ensures consistent and reliable connectivity.

It being such a critical part of your business connectivity, knowing precisely what robust network infrastructure involves and why it’s essential for growth.

Knowing more can help your business avoid the typical barriers that slow or stop many promising companies and the employees from reaching their real potential.

A Quick Example to Simplify the Complex

All of this can get confusing, so just try to think of your network infrastructure as a tree.

Imagine you want to plant a strong, healthy tree in your yard that will provide shade for family hang outs. And, of course, also protect your favorite flowers and plants from the harsh sun.

Great idea, that's a double win.

The point: Without the strong and critical root system, that tree won't have the nutrition, the resources to grow. It won't be able to provide the shade and comfort you were hoping for because it never had the proper foundation (that root system) to get there. Make sense?

Okay, let's keep digging into network infrastructure and why scalable networks and reliable IT systems are so important for you and business environments like yours.

What Exactly is Network Infrastructure, and Why Does it Matter for Business Connectivity?

Wired network switches and connections on a communications control panel board, part of network infrastucture.

There are specific integrated elements that make up the efficient data communication capabilities of a scalable network. They allow for smooth and seamless business connectivity and optimal performance.

So, thinking a bit broader than just the devices like the cables, routers, access points, and switches that come to mind when we think of what makes up our network infrastructure, there are bigger components like:

Hardware
Software
Connectivity Services
Security Solutions
Support Systems

Basically, your network contains everything you need to run your business and all its tech needs successfully.

Getting More Specific: The Tools that Make Up the Bigger Components of Network Infrastructure

There's quite a bit that goes into a robust network infrastructure so let's get more specific and see the devices and services that make up each of these larger components.

Hardware	Routers, switches, servers, firewalls, wired and wireless access points, gateways, and physical cabling
Software	Network management systems, software defined networking (SDN), monitoring tools, security software, and collaboration apps
Connectivity	Reliable wired and wireless connections, broadband, and WAN services to ensure uninterrupted business connectivity
Security	Firewalls, VPNs, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and endpoint security to safeguard critical data
Support Systems	Professional network services and managed IT support to proactively maintain network performance and reliability

Common Challenges When Dealing with Poor Network Infrastructure

Distraught man in office dealing with challenges of poor network infrastructure, service, performance, support.

Many organizations will try to cut corners, looking for other network solutions and different ways to connect their businesses and stay connected (typically as a cost savings measure).

The problem is that they often underestimate the components that make up a strong and reliable network infrastructure. Because of this underestimation, companies end up facing significant issues including:

Slow Speeds and Poor Connectivity

Insufficient bandwidth, outdated hardware (routers, switches, access points), and increased traffic often cause slow cloud services, unreliable connection and communication, and poor device and application performance, negatively impacting employees’ and admin users productivity.

Frequent Downtime

Network outages disrupt operations, harm customer relationships, and damage your organization’s reputation. Maintaining reliable connectivity is crucial for business continuity.

Security Gaps

Older, outdated infrastructure introduces vulnerabilities that expose sensitive employee and business data. Secure, up-to-date network infrastructure is essential, especially in hybrid work environments.

Network and Business Scaling Limitations

Without scalable infrastructure, businesses struggle to accommodate additional users, new locations, and more devices, creating bottlenecks that hinder growth and flexibility.

Building a Scalable and Reliable Network with Seamless Data Flows and Secure Connections

Network MSP checking network devices, switches, access points, wired connections, routers, and gateways.

Key Characteristics of Scalable Networks

Building scalable networks and reliable IT systems positions your business for sustainable growth. The characteristics of network capacity that makes this possible typically:

Allows easy addition of campus and branch locations to the same network without performance degradation.
Provides seamless connectivity, enabling employees to access cloud services and collaboration tools efficiently.
Includes integrated security measures for better control and ability to manage data and network resources.
Facilitates rapid implementation of new technologies like Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS), enhancing operational ability, connectivity, and agility.

How the Right Network Infrastructure Removes Barriers, Enabling and Supporting Business Growth

This is a good time to start evaluating your current network–potential capabilities and current performance. You might need to consider new network solutions to give your company a real shot at creating growth with better business connectivity.

Take a look at these examples of real-world instances. They perfectly showcase a greater ability to communicate, manage and perform—on and off company premises—with a robust network infrastructure.

Opening New Branch Locations

Robust infrastructure enables easy integration of new sites, ensuring consistent network performance across locations.

Onboarding Employees

Efficiently manage additional devices, maintain network performance, and safeguard data as your workforce grows.

Cloud Service Adoption

Networks prepared for increased traffic facilitate smooth migration to cloud services, significantly improving communication and collaboration capabilities.

Take advantage of access to cloud services and try our 14-day free trial of UCaaS.

How to Choose the Right Provider for Network Infrastructure Solutions and Managed Network Services

Managed network service provider showing status, trusted by business owners and employees for network services.

Whether a growing small business or an established enterprise, evaluating providers is an important part of choosing the right one. Take into account which devices, network types, and services they can provide your business to enable growth and unify multiple offices and locations.

A good provider should offer:

① Comprehensive Infrastructure Audits

Providers should assess current network capacity and clearly outline needed improvements.

② Custom Network Implementation

Tailored solutions should address your organization's specific scalability, connectivity, and performance requirements.

③ Managed Network Services

Providers must offer proactive network management, performance monitoring, and rapid issue resolution.

④ Enterprise-Grade, Advanced Security

Strong security frameworks should integrate directly into your network to prevent breaches and secure critical data.

⑤ Assured Scalable Networks and Reliable IT Systems

Confirm that the infrastructure easily accommodates future growth in users, devices, and data traffic.

⑥ Proven Network Infrastructure Expertise

Evaluate provider experience through client testimonials, success stories, and technical capabilities.

⑦ Responsive Network Support

Providers should employ accessible, knowledgeable teams ready to support your ongoing network management needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? That makes sense because, again, this can get confusing. All the talk of different devices like: routers and access points, switches and wireless networks, traffic, gateways, performance, and on, and on, and on.

There's just too much to keep straight. So, here are some common questions from folks just like you so you can get the answers you need to make a more informed decision!

What are the three main components of network infrastructure?
- Hardware, software, and network services.
What does a network infrastructure engineer do?
- They design, implement, and maintain an organization's network infrastructure, ensuring optimal performance and security.
How do you make a network scalable?
- By implementing flexible architectures, upgrading bandwidth, using software-defined networking, and planning for future growth.
What replaced business connectivity services?
- Modern broadband and cloud-based services largely replaced traditional connectivity solutions, providing more reliable and flexible options.

Take the Next Step to Seamless Connection and Performance

Business owner taking the next step to better network performance for users–customers and employees.

Schedule an IT Audit or Consultation of Your Existing Network Infrastructure

Your business growth hinges on solid, scalable network infrastructure. Don't let inadequate connectivity limit your potential. Schedule a comprehensive network consultation or IT audit with CSII’s expert team today.

Take control and make certain your network infrastructure supports long-term business objectives with scalable, secure, and reliable connectivity solutions from CSII.