“The search for symmetry, and the emotional pleasure we derive when we find it, must help us make sense of the seasons and the reliability of friendships. Symmetry is also economy. Symmetry is simplicity.” – Alan Lightman*
It is scientifically proven that symmetry is pleasing – to the eye, to the psyche and to one’s emotional well-being. It provides a sense of balance and calm. When we think of symmetry, it is usually in reference to a physical trait of visual experience. Art, architecture, and design provide some of the most obvious exposures to the importance and satisfaction of symmetry.
Today, however, symmetry is playing a vitally important role in an arena where it cannot be seen but can be experienced. Small and mid-size business owners are coming to understand the value of symmetrical internet speeds. Simply defined, symmetrical speeds impact the effectiveness of internet performance and means that the data speed and file transfer rates are the same in both directions. That is, the connection provides the same download and upload speeds—at the same time.
Why are symmetrical speeds important? The pace of business has never been faster. Effectively meeting customer demands, enabling employee effectiveness and driving overall productivity depends upon the reliability and performance of the IT solutions and provider choices that a business-owner or manager makes. Working with a solution provider that can offer symmetrical speeds via a fiber network gives businesses confidence that they are working at optimal speeds and that the digital information exchange – downloads and uploads – is a seamless experience. This translates into a superior working environment and keeps employees focused on what matters most – customer satisfaction.
Northwood Animal Hospital is an award-winning, full-service veterinary hospital located in High Point, N.C. The business employs 32 individuals across its clinic, grooming and doggie daycare/boarding facilities. When Jonathan Marquez, CFO, and his wife, Dr. Rebeca Slivka, acquired Northwood in 2013, the business was entirely paper-based and did not use wireless or Internet technology as a part of its daily operations. Jonathan quickly engaged NorthState to implement a fiber-based solution to bring the business up-to-speed. Now, the company is entirely paperless and relies heavily on the network to manage electronic medical reports, customer communications and patient records. Because the company’s fiber-based solution allows for symmetrical speeds when uploading and downloading information, employees are now able to accurately and quickly provide medical information, blood work results, X-ray images and upcoming appointment reminders to patients in real time. This speed of communication means that clients stay engaged and informed. Clients also now have the capability to connect with the hospital through email and the online portal allowing them to upload pictures, videos so the hospital’s doctors can provide rapid diagnostic results. The result has been greater efficiency, enhanced productivity and increased customer satisfaction.
According to Jonathan Marquez, “NorthState has made a tremendous difference in our business. Our company has an 80-year legacy of providing exceptional customer service to our patients and customers. When upgrading our IT infrastructure, it was imperative that we work with a company that shared our commitment to customer support. NorthState is a big company with a small town and personal approach. They know my business; they understand my needs and they work tirelessly to ensure I am receiving the most value for my dollar. The upgrade to fiber has maximized our operational efficiency and keeps us at the top of our game. Just like human medicine, veterinary medicine is constantly evolving, and we must incorporate smart IT to ensure we are providing the highest quality of care to our patients. To that end, it is essential that we partner with companies that will catapult us to the next level. Our partnership with NorthState does just that.”
If your business is primed for the switch to fiber and to realize the benefit of symmetrical speeds, be sure to ask a few key questions of prospective service providers:
- Does your internet service rely on cable or fiber?
- What download and upload speeds can I expect from your service?
- What security protocols do you have in place to ensure my data is protected?
- What is your approach to customer service?
Having a solutions partner that can answers these questions in a clear and straight-forward manner will ensure you are putting your trust in the right provider.
As the Alan Lightman quote indicated, symmetry is pleasing, symmetry is economically sound and symmetry is simplicity. We now know is that symmetry is also smart and very good for business.
To lean more about NorthState’s Fiber Internet solutions please visit https://www.northstate.net/business/products/fiber-internet/.
* Alan Lightman is a novelist, essayist, physicist, and educator. Currently, he is Professor of the Practice of the Humanities at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Until 2003, he was John Burchard Professor of the Humanities at MIT.