Survey finds NZ business networks sub-optimal

A survey of 266 companies across Australia and New Zealand, commissioned by Citrix and undertaken by Tech Research Asia, found 55 percent of New Zealands believed their IT networks required upgrading if they want to take advantage of emerging technologies such as virtual and augmented reality, the Internet of Things, and wearables. For Australia the figure was 52 percent.

Anandh Maistry, senior director, Citrix Australia and New Zealand, said: “Our study shows the expectations for emerging technologies are high, with many businesses aware of the positive impact they can have. However, the reality is investment in the majority of solutions will first require investment in somewhat ‘mundane’ areas, one of which is the networking environment.”

Maistry said digital transformation would place increasing demands on network infrastructure and services. “Digital transformation is a priority for many businesses in Australia and New Zealand, and to deliver it cloud infrastructures have become an integral part of the business IT network.

“With workloads and data increasingly being moved to cloud environments – a trend the research shows will accelerate in the coming months – it’s critical organisations in Australia and New Zealand act now to ensure their networks can handle the growing demands being placed on them.”

Responses to the survey also suggest that poor network connectivity costs New Zealand companies an average of 52 hours of lost productivity per employee per year, the equivalent of $66,399 per year for a 50-person organisation, according to Tech Research Asia. For Australia the figure was 72 hours.

According to Tech Research Asia founder and managing director, Tim Dillon, financial and productivity losses are far from the main problem with poor network performance. “It can leave many businesses without the ability to accurately capture data, and engage and collaborate with customers and employees in a timely and meaningful manner,” he said.

“Companies today are more real-time, more analytical, and more demanding of their technology investments. Yet the data tells us business goals are at significant risk from sub-standard network performance.”