Through simplifying the network, an organization can simplify its processes, and in turn can optimize productivity.

For example a VPN can turn an organization's lines of communication from the picture above to the one below.

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have established Points of Presence (POP) in nearly every city and town around the world, and they're hungry for new corporate business. Together, new technologies and competitive ISPs are paving the way for companies to leverage the Internet in diverse ways -- including secure remote access to enterprise networks, the deployment of extranets, and electronic commerce. And by tapping into the Internet to implement these functions, organizations appropriate its greatly simplified, highly consistent architecture for all remote users, regardless of location and service needs.

In their most basic form, VPNs connect multiple remote users or remote offices to the enterprise network over the Internet. Users call their local ISP. The call is encrypted, tunneled through the Net, and connected to the destination server on the enterprise network. Branch offices can contract with an ISP for high-speed connections -- enjoying the same benefits as those gained with dedicated lines, but without the long-distance charges.

The enterprise network pays only for the local calls and the ISP access fee. This allows the organization to take advantage of relatively low-cost Internet Protocol (IP) access services instead of distance-sensitive bandwidth charges. Since most ISPs offer flat-rate plans, phone access charges are dramatically reduced and they can be budgeted more reliably.

Extranets increase the efficacy with which partners collaborate by linking intranets for immediate access to critical information. A traveling salesperson no longer calls a distributor for product information. Instead of wasting time waiting for a return call, or searching for the appropriate contact at the distributor, information is accessed quickly and securely over the extranet.

When assessing a VPN's potential to deliver cost savings, a number of key areas must be taken into consideration...

The total cost for an enterprise to acquire and manage a private remote access infrastructure include:

• Telecommunications charges

• Support staff costs for Help Desk personnel
• Administrative staff costs and productivity impact
• Costs of equipment acquisition (central remote access servers and branch office routers)

For enterprises with a large and growing number of remote access users, these costs can be considerable.

A VPN provides immediate access to information in a cost-efficient way. Companies spend small fortunes creating and printing information for suppliers, distributors, and customers. Posting material to VPNs cuts those costs significantly.

Managing traditional remote access is a losing proposition for an IT professional. Maintaining equipment and connections, while trying to stay ahead of the access technology churn, is impossible. Extranets eliminate these frustrations by allowing the IT manager to outsource the cumbersome part-modems and physical infrastructure-while retaining control of the critical part-security and user management.

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