Network Performance

 

 

 

 

UDS Green Industry Software, Inc. developed Active Applications to assist you in running your business better.  Sophisticated in it’s design with the power to streamline business processes and provide a multitude of services, you should be aware Active Applications software is sensitive to the hardware environment in which it must function.  A computer or network with problems will have a detrimental effect on your software’s performance. Exact results are difficult to predict.  Assessing the quality and performance of individual hardware components has been a recognized priority.  Today, with growing network installations becoming commonplace among our client sites, UDS is recommending that our clients place an additional emphasis on evaluating the performance of their networks from a systems approach too.

 

Visualize for a second your network as a pathway for communicating messages back and forth between the police and fire departments.  I think you will agree that information must be able to move freely, completely, and on demand, in order for that communications system to fulfill its’ purpose.  Not only should all the components in your infrastructure be performing at peak, they must be communicating with each other seamlessly.  If not, no number of database Reorganizations and database backups in the world will provide a return to software performance.  If you are experiencing problems with your network, then do not assume because a hardware component on that network simply powers up that it is performing to all specifications.

 

We recommend clients with networks connecting three or more fully utilized workstations seek a network performance evaluation at least once a year.  Develop a relationship with a local, reputable network support vendor that can come to your site to test or observe everything first hand.  This visit doesn’t have to include more than four hours on site.  Maintaining a list that inventories all your hardware components that you can provide to them will save time.  Afterwards, the consultant should provide you with a one or two page summary of their “findings” and any recommendations they may have for you.  A simple schematic of your network design which they can keep on file and a copy for you is a good idea to have no matter the size of your network.

 

A hardware component UDS highly recommends be installed in active networks is a “managed” switch or hub.  Our preference would be a switch over a hub because a switch has the potential for greater performance and throughput.  The most important benefit of a “managed” versus non-managed switch is that it will report on problems that may be occurring on any segment of your network.  This will allow your network support people to move more quickly to restore peak performance to your network.  This may mean changing a setting or even replacing hardware.  The good news is that the price of “managed” switches has recently fallen so low that it makes good sense to replace whatever hub or wiring concentrator you presently use with one of these new devices.  Talk to your network support people.  They will take your specific network installation design into consideration and their own experience and familiarity with what the market offers, to provide you with recommendations.

 

Regardless of the size of your network, UDS recommends developing at least a minimal relationship with a local, competent Network support vendor.  They can be big or small but you need someone you can at least pick up the phone and call when in doubt about a network related issue.