Network planning is the process of outlining business requirements and growth plans to build a blueprint for connecting computers and other equipment in your company. Thinking through your business needs before jumping into implementation eases the installation process, and increases the likelihood that the network solution we design will match your requirements now and in the future. We will walk you through the entire network planning process from start to finish.

The first steps in crafting a solid plan are assessing current network requirements and considering how your business will change over time. Here are some ideas to help you start the planning process:

Assess usage
Determine the number of people who will be using the network to get a rough idea of the computers and peripherals it must support. Consider how users will interact with the system to define the features you need. For example, if you want to encourage collaboration, you might want to include specific file sharing or scheduling applications.

Gather input
Factor the needs of the various departments within your company into your network plan. Start by asking each group to define its requirements and specify the payback from requested features in terms of time or money saved. For example, your sales department might desire certain remote access features, while your finance department might require specific security measures.

Build in expansion
Detail, to the best of your knowledge, the direction your business is likely to take in the future. As you think about expansion, identify plans that might affect your network needs, such as adding employees, geographic expansion, facilitating remote work, or the integration of new applications. Doing this now will be less expensive and time-consuming than replacing an inadequate network later.

Decide how to handle installation and management
As your network solution comes into focus, decide whether you want to install and manage it in-house or outsource these tasks. Networking products have become easier to administer over the years, so many small companies have found that handling management internally is increasingly cost-effective. If you decide to outsource management to a consultant or value-added reseller (VAR), consider using remote network administration to reduce the number of on-site visits necessary to keep the system running smoothly.

Address security
Build security features into your network plans from the get-go to protect one of your company's most important assets – its information. Common network security precautions include passwords, virus protection, internal and external firewalls, and data encryption.

You can enhance the foundation of your network plan by addressing other considerations that may affect the integration, use and maintenance of your system. Key issues include:

Knowledge management
Consider how to manage information on your server so that network users can quickly find what they need. Some businesses create standardized naming conventions for files on the server and establish rules for the creation of new folders. Others build searchable databases to help team members find key information quickly or provide communications tools for facilitating information exchange.

Remote access
If some staff members travel frequently or work from locations outside your main office, you may want to build remote access capabilities into your network. This can be done through remote dial-in, or securely over the Internet using a virtual private network (VPN).

Staff training
While working with a network is simple, it does demand that employees adopt new habits. A training program will encourage staffers to take full advantage of your network's timesaving and productivity-enhancing features. Build training time into your network rollout calendar, and offer follow-up sessions to address ongoing staff challenges and concerns.