Planning corporate networks for an integrated information environment

Corporate data constitutes one of the most important assets possessed by corporations today. It provides the building blocks to form the information that underlies the operation of an enterprise. Because corporate data is created, managed, and stored in many forms and places, its value is directly related to the capability of its users to assess, manipulate, move, and manage it. It is argued that to support an integrated information environment, networks must be planned at the enterprise level, encompassing the entire organization. Trends in telecommunications development, including trends that influence user requirements and issues associated with technology availability, are discussed.<>