The current economic conditions present a unique opportunity to optimise wide area networks (WANs) at a time when many companies' infrastructure is remaining otherwise static, it has been claimed.

Writing for ComputerWorld, Johna Till Johnson explains that flat budgets have left many organisations reluctant to undertake large-scale investment into IT expansion projects at branch offices.

As a result, readers are told this could be "the perfect time to take a few steps back and revisit the overall networking strategy".
For those reluctant to put new infrastructure into place, meanwhile, the option of using WAN optimisation to draw the maximum performance possible from existing facilities is suggested.

Riverbed Technology is one manufacturer of WAN optimisation devices, in the form of its Steelhead appliance.

This has been seen to raise performance levels by as much as 60 to 70 per cent for Riverbed Technology's portfolio of satisfied customers, without requiring the purchase of additional bandwidth allocations.