| | SEPTEMBER 20168CIOReviewCompanies are challenged to provide the most stable and viable infrastructure, while controlling the overall cost. Any investments in technology are made as prudently as possible and must be tied to the value proposition which a given solution of service enables.Here are three critical elements exemplifying how Aflac's infrastructure aligns with the corporate strategy to support a low-cost delivery model. These components vary in nature from core networking designs to strengthened business connections and the adoption of videoconferencing throughout the company's U.S. operations.Minimizing Cost of Operation:As Aflac continued to grow, so did the costs to connect the company's additional sales offices throughout the U.S. Along with the increased scale of the network, the bandwidth, availability and performance requirements grew as well. Cost associated with the metro area network (MAN) circuits continued to rise, and the operation's ability to grow was restricted by budget constraints as well as the communications providers' capacity and processes. In response to these challenges, the Aflac network team proposed a project to implement a private fiber infrastructure. Its purpose was to provide agile, redundant and resilient network architecture capable of responding to business needs. Along with the technical advantages, this proposed architecture would provide, the recurring costs of the existing communications circuits would also be eliminated. The solution was implemented relatively quickly in 2015 over a six month timeframe, and the capital investment yielded the following benefits:· Network capacity was increased by 4,000 percent.· ROI provided in 18 months through reduced annual communication costs.· Data and voice network resiliency improved.Enabling Business Partners:Investments in the infrastructure have also positively impacted internal business relations with the adoption of video and By Julia Davis, SVP & CIO, Aflac [NYSE: AFL]Innovative Approaches for a Cost-Effective IT InfrastructureIN MY OPINION$$$$$$$$
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