ReadWriteEnterprise

Multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) is a converged data network technique that facilitates the most efficient platform for transporting a diverse array of different types of traffic. MPLS provides a simplified network infrastructure for the simultaneous transport of multiple applications such as voice, video, and data.

This paper addresses common misconceptions about MPLS, explains why it's relevant to business and more.

Enterprises across all industries operate in complex and rapidly changing business environments and must constantly plan, implement, and execute strategies to grow revenue, improve operational efficiencies, and reduce costs. To achieve these objectives, enterprises are increasingly centralizing, automating, Web-/IP-enabling, and internetworking mission-critical processes and applications in order to streamline and integrate various operational aspects of the business. At the same time, enterprise ecosystems are increasingly distributed, with geographically dispersed supply chains of customers, partners, and vendors, as well as decentralized, mobile workforces -- all of which depend on the network to conduct business operations.

Converged voice and network services, increasing scalability and expanding application and information access are key components in creating infrastructures for innovation, according to a CIO2CIO report sponsored by Qwest Business.

The report looks at research conducted by IDG on network and infrastructure investments and the ROI of infrastructure spending.

This paper from Qwest Business encourages decision makers to consider communications an investment instead of an expense, citing ways that businesses can actually save money through telecommunication-driven initiatives such as teleworking. The paper outlines seven tactics for using telecommunications to drive efficiency.