10 Bandwidth Saving Tips

More businesses are moving to the cloud – there are many benefits from making the big move, but it also means practising efficiency in the use of Internet bandwidth in the company.
Here are tips to conserving bandwidth usage.

1. Prevent unnecessary content streaming

If necessary, block access to content streaming sites to prevent employees from using the Internet for personal purposes.

2. Identify heavy Internet users

It’s an inevitable fact that some employees will use the Internet more heavily than others. Get to know who these people are and find out what’s causing their heavy bandwidth usage.

3. Check for a throttling mechanism on your backup application

Backing up data to the cloud can consume much Internet bandwidth if left unregulated. Throttle cloud backup applications to prevent outrageous consumption.

4. Limit VoIPs for business

VoIP is an office tool that is bandwidth-intensive. Therefore, its use must be limited to business calls. Since almost everyone has a mobile phone nowadays, this sort of policy shouldn’t be a problem.

5. Utilise a proxy cache

The idea behind this is, when a user visits a site, the page contents of the webpage he visits are cached on a proxy server. That means the content will not need to be downloaded should the user visit the same website again because the contents will already be in the cache. This solution will save you bandwidth and create the illusion of a faster Internet connection.

6. Centralise update processes

Almost all apps require periodic updates online. Centralise the update process by setting up a WSUS server for downloading all the same updates and making them available to individual computers. This will eliminate duplicate downloads.

7. Take advantage of hosted filtering

Hosted filtering, possible in offices that operate their own in-house mail servers, points the MX record to a cloud server instead of the mail server. It receives all the mail directed towards the organisation and filters it to eliminate spam messages, thus saving bandwidth.

8. Keep desktops free from malware

Regularly scan for malware and be aggressive when it comes to keeping desktop PCs in the office clean.

9. Configure QoS for bandwidth reservation

Quality of Service, or QoS, is a mechanism that works to reserve bandwidth. It is particularly useful for applications which require a specific bandwidth allotment (i.e. video conferencing). Configure it to reserve the required bandwidth for the specific application you’re using. It will work only when the application is actively used, but when it’s not, the bandwidth reservation for that app becomes available for other uses.

10. Talk to your ISP about maximising your bandwidth

Are you getting your connection’s maximum speed? If you feel as though your Internet connection is not delivering top performance for what you are paying to use it, you need to discuss your concern with your ISP. Subscribe to Activ8me ADLS2+ Broadband Plans and get the best value for your money with high data allowances and fast Internet speeds.