How the right connectivity solutions can unlock growth opportunities for mid-market organizations

Mid-market companies come in all sizes, across all industries. Some are content to occupy their chosen niche, while others have ambitious growth plans. Persistent questions in businesses nationwide concern the role of technology in their organizations, and just how much of their capital should they be dedicating to that area. Secure, reliable and high performing solutions delivered from single-source providers with a good reputation for support should be considered as good options. 

Organizations rely on the internet and cloud-based applications to keep business moving. It's a given today that every organization needs internet connectivity, and that carries cybersecurity concerns. However, the level of connectivity required varies widely from company to company and site to site. 

Secure, low latency, connectivity option

Increasingly more business applications and processes live in the cloud, requiring a more powerful internet connection that considers factors such as reliability, scalability and performance. Mid-market companies should opt for a right-sized connectivity solution that includes the capability to stay ahead of cybersecurity risks.

Yet, many mid-market firms do not have the in-house IT staff to properly address both connectivity and cybersecurity needs. And for a number of business reasons, they are either unable to add the necessary staff, or they simply cannot find enough qualified candidates to hire. In an International Data Corporation (IDC) survey of North American IT leaders, nearly two thirds responded that a lack of IT skills has resulted in missed revenue growth objectives, quality problems, and a decline in customer satisfaction. 

Some companies have opted to ignore this issue. Unfortunately, one in three smaller mid-market businesses use free or consumer-grade security, which is only effective 55% of the time. These companies cannot connect confidently to applications and data. What they need is a reliable internet service that includes enterprise-grade cybersecurity protection, through a single technology partner. Internet connectivity solutions exist today that include ​ comprehensive and automatically updated enterprise security featuring advanced malware protection, antivirus, intrusion prevention, customizable content filters, URL-blocking and more. 

Low latency connectivity solutions

Mid-market companies seeking low latency connectivity can stay connected and protected effortlessly with fully managed services. Solutions are available today with all-inclusive connectivity, hardware and support. With these dedicated fiber internet solutions, companies can benefit from reliable, secure connections without burdening their IT staff with additional work. Further, companies can increase business productivity through a high-performing internet service that delivers reliable connectivity.

Dedicated internet service ensures the bandwidth capacity that an organization chooses is always available to them. A dedicated connection is not shared with others, and should be delivered over a reliable, advanced fiber network. These services transmit data over a dedicated high-capacity private network that’s designed to avoid oversubscription or competition for network bandwidth. Companies should have the option to support current and future bandwidth needs with a range of symmetrical speeds up to 100 Gbps.

Scalability is key, and the desire for that is intrinsically tied to each organization’s unique goals and objectives. Bandwidth should be able to be upgraded as needs evolve. Mid-market companies have the option to select solutions with service-level agreements (SLA) that include industry-leading performance metrics, four-hour mean time to restore service, and a 100% uptime guarantee with applicable service credits. The right SLAs can ensure that internet traffic is delivered to levels that exceed industry standards, to all locations.

Uncompromising solutions

Mid-market business owners, network architects and IT leadership teams in single site organizations with moderate internet needs and cloud application use may want to consider alternative connectivity solutions. These solutions can provide fast, reliable and cost-effective access to the internet or cloud-based applications while delivering an enterprise-grade experience. Multisite businesses with branch locations that have lighter cloud and connectivity requirements may also find these solutions attractive.​

These companies might prefer contracted pricing with multiple term options to meet their long-term needs, and without usage penalties. The solution they choose should provide the perfect balance of price and performance — up to gigabit speeds — and offer a 99.9% Service-Level Agreement (SLA), with guaranteed Mean Time to Restore commitments, backed by meaningful remedies.

If the organization has multiple sites, the technology provider should make it easy to get and stay connected, so the ideal experience is realized at each location all the time. Further, tech leaders should choose products with no data caps or overage penalties, which align with their unique planning needs.

Diversified internet connectivity

Mid-market technology leaders can ensure that users and systems can reliably connect to the internet and public clouds with a wireless internet service. For organizations that need secondary connections for business continuity, SD-WAN access or a connection dedicated to a specific purpose, wireless internet solutions can provide an exceptional experience across your network, without sacrificing quality.

Wireless internet connectivity solutions can provide users access to vital services like education, healthcare, and communication. In other cases, such as disaster relief efforts, construction sites, outdoor events, or pop-up sales kiosks, wireless networks can be quickly deployed to meet immediate connectivity needs.

How Spectrum Business can help

When it comes to the productivity and efficiency of your business, knowing you have a dependable connection means everything. Our full suite of internet solutions is purposefully designed to deliver consistent quality and confidence in your connection so you can reliably and efficiently connect to apps, clouds and business locations. With a partner committed to service and accountability you can accelerate your business while simplifying resource management and freeing up your time.

We provide multiple options for seamlessly connecting and securely scaling to locations, applications, endpoints. Our solutions enable your business to perform at its full potential and achieve your operational goals, delivered by a partner focused on quality and accountability. 

Our nationwide network reach is supported by more than 245,000+ fiber-route miles coast to coast, including over 317,000 fiber-lit buildings. This means you can expand to new locations easily, whether across town or across the country.

Find out more about how our solutions are tailored to your connectivity goals.