Powering the Branch of the Future through Virtualization

In today’s evolving enterprise, no matter how much bandwidth is procured, it’s quickly gobbled up by bandwidth-hungry applications and requirements. This trend has only been exacerbated by the rapid growth of new applications such as virtual desktop deployments, cloud computing, and VoIP. In addition, video-centric applications such as digital signage, training, video surveillance, interactive kiosks, and Wi-Fi continue to drive demand for bandwidth.

But help is on the way. The Hughes Branch Server helps distributed enterprises manage the “disappearing bandwidth” problem and simplify their branch locations at the same time. The Hughes Branch Server lowers capital costs, reduces power consumption, improves application performance, and—since Hughes manages the platform—lowers support costs. It does all this by leveraging advances in virtualization technology.

The Virtualization Advantage

Virtualization is causing a lot of buzz in enterprises today. In many enterprises, separate servers are dedicated to individual functions such as point-of-sale, inventory management, training, and loss prevention applications. Virtualization refers to the ability to run multiple virtual computers with different operating systems and applications—using a single physical server. As the use of high-bandwidth applications continues to grow, the advantages to virtualization are many—cost containment, energy savings, and overall operational efficiency improvement through server consolidation.

Doing More with Less

The Hughes Branch Server is an affordable, turnkey platform that enables enterprises to collapse multiple store/branch servers and PCs into a single server. Fully managed by Hughes, the in-store/branch platform enables enterprises to virtualize multiple high-bandwidth applications around the store/branch into a single server. The Hughes Branch Server can easily host multiple Hughes applications such as WAN Optimization, Digital Signage, eLearning, and Interactive Kiosk. Plus, the Branch Server accommodates the customer’s own applications such as virtualized desktop environments to replace expensive Windows desktops, and inventory and workforce management applications.

“Enterprises can simplify their branch IT operations considerably with the Hughes Branch Server, reducing the number of servers they need to manage, eliminating the need for costly upgrades, and freeing them to focus on their business rather than the infrastructure,” said Doug Medina, Hughes senior director of enterprise marketing.

The Branch of the Future

By choosing the fully managed Hughes Branch Server, enterprises can implement their store or branch of the future today by leveraging smart technology to improve efficiencies, contain costs, and bring more customers in the door—not to mention getting ahead of that disappearing bandwidth.