International Networking
[Notes: Journalists are invited to quote and use information from the backgrounder below but please ensure all comment is attributed to Martin Saunders,
Group Product Manager, Claranet Limited.]
Martin Saunders, Group Product Manager at Claranet, on the pitfalls of and solutions to international business networking:
Modern communications technology is making the world smaller. Not only is it far easier for businesses to trade internationally, it’s now possible and realistic for businesses of all sizes to establish a presence in more than one country.
Communicating more efficiently between offices, vendors or customers internationally offers terrific business benefits. Businesses can better serve and support customers, reduce network complexity, increase efficiencies and ultimately save money.
The benefits are clear but international networking is far from plain sailing. Businesses must be aware of the challenges when contemplating an international communications network.
It’s a long way from home
All customers want affordable, innovative and high-quality IP products.
The communications landscape will determine what products can be offered in any country. The market is shaped by a combination of Government or regulatory controls, the incumbent telecom operator and alternative carriers.
The perfect environment is a strong regulator combined with pliant incumbent and innovative alternative carriers. This utopia doesn’t exist in Europe; although some countries are far closer than others. The reality is that every country is unique in terms of its blend of communications services and infrastructure. Businesses must not assume that all communications services are the same. They must identify what service levels are needed and hunt around for the most suitable service available in each country in which they want to operate.
The European postcode lottery
The delivery of communications services can be delayed when the business location or address doesn’t match the local incumbent’s records. The UK has a granular postcode system which generally narrows down the address to a few hundred. European postcodes are often more problematic with five digit numbers covering tens of thousands of address locations. In these countries the written location and any spelling errors in the address can be critical. So-called ‘address mismatching’ is one of the most common causes of delays when installing data communications using the address alone. To implement a data network in a new country, businesses must know the location or reference point for their site.
Delays cost money. In order to mitigate the risk of delayed installations when engaging service providers to implement an international data network, businesses should have a phone number or line which is unique and matches the exact business’s site or location. A reference telephone line or ISDN 2 (Integrated Services Digital Network) number will provide the incumbent a way to pin-point the business’s location from its database and reducing the complexity of installing the service.
Lost in translation
While English is the language of the Internet, it is still relatively rare to find a national service provider fluently speaking anything other than their national language. Any business which has worked across borders will attest to the problem of time zones, particularly when British companies work with Eastern European service providers. Businesses must anticipate and plan for differences in language, culture and time when working internationally.
International networking made simple
In an ever-complex business world, businesses need a partner that will keep their technology challenges simple. As the experts that develop, support and manage communication and information technology for international business, Claranet is experienced at the implementation of international networks.
Claranet operates in France, Germany, Portugal, The Netherlands, Spain, the UK and the USA. In line with its strategic network expansion, Claranet established a new Point of Presence (PoP) in New York City in April 2007. Claranet’s New York PoP brought the majority of Claranet’s connectivity product portfolio to New York’s business community and established datacentre space in New York City’s metro area.
Claranet uses its expertise and local knowledge of each of the countries in which it operates to design the best networking solution for each customer’s business problems. Claranet uses its local experience to ensure the most straightforward and timely implementation of an international communications network.
Claranet is telecom vendor neutral so it has one of the most comprehensive product sets available giving customers greater choice and the ability to implement the most appropriate product available.
Claranet’s project managers are experienced in the implementation of international solutions. Claranet offers flexible support to customers by providing a single point of contact in their local language. This ensures that customers are supported and informed throughout the implementation process.
All customers receive a dedicated account manager, who works to understand a customer’s business and communications requirements to provide first class support and customer service. In addition, Claranet provides Service Management to top-tier customers – a team dedicated to ensuring our customers experience the best service possible.
International networking is the natural choice for any ambitious business looking to bring customers, suppliers and their own operations closer together. Businesses should avoid the headaches and select an experienced international networking partner they can trust to make their business vision a reality.
-ends-
Notes to editors:
Journalists are invited to quote and use information from the backgrounder below but please ensure all comment is attributed to Martin Saunders, Group Product Manager, Claranet.
For further editorial information or to arrange an interview please email the Claranet press office or telephone 020 7609 1900.
About Martin Saunders, Group Product Manager, Claranet:
Martin Saunders is Group Product Manager of Claranet and oversees the deployment of new products, processes and procedures to serve customer requirements. He has worked in the Internet industry for over 11 years and was recently responsible for launching Claranet’s revolutionary VPN:ng service. Prior to joining Claranet, Saunders managed AOL’s Local Loop Unbundling (LLU) strategy, leading the migration of over 200,000 AOL customers from BT's network to their own. Saunders product managed the first 8Mb ADSL Broadband product and first symmetrical broadband product in the UK. He has been highly influential in rapid development of business and residential communications services for several years.
About Claranet:
Claranet was established in 1996 as a dial-up Internet access provider in the UK. The company's sustained profitability has resulted in continuous reinvestment, transforming Claranet into a multi-national managed service provider.
Today Claranet provides flexible and tailored network infrastructure that performs to the requirements of its 300,000 customers across six European countries and the US.
Claranet customers have confidence in their connectivity. Customers are served by experienced, innovative and dependable technicians.
Claranet commits to the highest standard of service level agreement.
URL: www.uk.clara.net