Digital back pain? How network performance influences your DEX strategy
In an increasingly networked world in which digital collaboration has become indispensable for companies, one topic is increasingly taking centre stage: Network performance.
Short & sweet
- Good network performance is essential for a properly functioning infrastructure. Network Performance Monitoring helps to monitor the quality and stability of the entire connection.
- How well employees can work with their tools and applications is influenced by many factors relating to network performance.
- Companies that want to optimise their Digital Employee Experience (DEX) need to analyse network performance from the perspective of their employees, and go beyond a purely technical view.
The network is the invisible backbone that holds everyday working life together. It is the foundation on which every digital application, every online meeting and every file transfer is built. But as with a physical backbone, we often only realise its importance when something goes wrong.
Network performance: The backbone of the digital working world
Just as back pain can affect our everyday lives, poor network performance causes "digital back pain": Disconnections, slow data transfers and faltering video conferences. These gradual drops in performance are not only a burden on the IT department, but also on the employees who depend on smooth digital working. And just like chronic back pain, the ongoing burden of network problems leads to frustration and lower productivity.
But what exactly does network performance mean? And what specific factors influence it - especially from the end user's perspective?
Network performance factors: How they influence your DEX strategy
Network performance is a comprehensive concept that covers various aspects of network quality. It's not just about the speed at which data is transmitted, but also about the reliability and consistency of these transmissions. Some of the most important factors considered here include:
- Bandwidth: The bandwidth indicates how much data can be sent and received simultaneously via the network. A common comparison is the size of a water pipe: The larger the diameter of the pipe, the more water (or in this case data) can flow at the same time. A high bandwidth means that many users and applications can access the network at the same time without bottlenecks occurring. ➡️ End User perspective: If a team is working on a large project in the cloud, files can only be uploaded or downloaded slowly if the bandwidth is too low. This also causes problems when synchronising shared files. This leads to delays and interrupts the workflow.
- Latency (ping times): Latency measures the time it takes for a data packet to travel from one point in the network to another and back again. This is comparable to the time it takes for a letter to get from the sender to the recipient. High latency times mean delays, which is particularly problematic for real-time applications such as video conferences or online meetings. ➡️ End User perspective: In a video conference, high latency can lead to a delay in the dialogue partners' responses, which slows down communication and frustrates everyone involved.
- WLAN quality: Especially in modern office environments or when working from home, the quality of the WLAN is crucial. A poor WLAN connection can be caused by structural obstacles, interference from other devices or overloaded networks. A weak signal leads to slow connections and disconnections. ➡️ End User perspective: An employee who works from home and whose video call is constantly interrupted because the WLAN signal in the office is weak will not only lose time, but collaboration within the team will also come to a standstill.
- Jitter: Jitter describes the fluctuations in latency times, i.e. how irregularly the data packets arrive. This can be particularly problematic for real-time applications such as VoIP (Voice over IP) or video streaming. While a constant, slightly higher latency is often still acceptable, jitter causes audio or video data to arrive asynchronously.➡️ End User perspective: During a VoIP call, employees could suddenly miss parts of the conversation due to jitter or hear distorted audio output, which makes communication difficult.
- Packet loss: If data packets are lost on the way from A to B, this is referred to as packet loss. This often happens when the network is overloaded or there is physical interference. Even minor packet losses can lead to noticeable problems, as applications such as video conferencing rely on all data arriving in full and in the correct order. ➡️ End User example: During a presentation in an MS Teams meeting, the presenter's screen could suddenly "freeze" if the packet loss is too high, interrupting the entire meeting.
End user in focus: Network performance from a new perspective
Traditionally, network performance has been assessed on a purely technical basis: The above mentioned key figures were the central metrics. These metrics are undoubtedly important, but they alone do not provide the full picture of the actual user experience. It is not enough to simply optimise the infrastructure. The decisive factor is how the performance is perceived by the end user.
Modern network monitoring should therefore always have the end user experience in mind. This means that performance is measured from the perspective of those who work with it on a daily basis. A stable and fast network that is categorised as "optimal" by the IT systems can nevertheless be problematic for end users if applications show long response times or connection interruptions occur regularly.
By focussing on the actual employee experience, companies can ensure that their Digital Employee Experience (DEX) not only works technically, but also actually improves employees' everyday lives.
Application performance vs. network performance: What is the difference?
Many companies focus primarily on application performance, i.e. the performance of individual software solutions. That is certainly important, because the best application is of little use if it does not function smoothly. However, the mere consideration of application speed often falls short.
Network performance refers to the entire infrastructure that enables applications to function properly. A poor network affects all applications at the same time, regardless of how well they are optimised. While application performance monitoring (APM) monitors specific applications, network performance monitoring focuses on the quality and stability of the entire connection.
Network performance as the basis for a successful DEX strategy
Network performance is the invisible engine that drives digital collaboration. From bandwidth and latency to jitter and packet loss, many factors influence how well employees can work with their tools and applications. Companies that want to optimise their Digital Employee Experience (DEX) must therefore go beyond a purely technical view and consistently analyse network performance from the perspective of their employees.
Use a cloud solution such as baramundi Argus Experience to ensure that the connection is stable, fast and reliable. Create the basis for a seamless and positive working environment - and ensure that your teams can work more productively and happily.
Small IT problems, big impact - creating an optimal user experience for end users
Learn how to protect your end users from annoying IT problems, unstable network connections and incompatibility issues between different software versions. Our End User Experience Management (EUEM) whitepaper gives you an in-depth insight into the topic and shows you how to create an optimal user experience.
