Think of a network protocol as a language with very specific rules of operation. Ethernet communication works differently than ATM. They are both forms of network protocols. This should all be seamless to end users (ideally...). If done right it should not affect your access, unless you need to change a configuration on your computer and they don't tell you, or they don't want you to connect anymore.

Network protocols defines a language of rules and conventions for communication between network devices.Common ones you see everyday on your computer are HTTP for Web and TCP/IP for network connectivity.

To exchange information, computers have to package data in the same way. Network protocols are the methods used to box information, so it can travel over the wire from the sending point to the receiving point. There are literally dozens of network protocols and they vary in how they are implemented. Some work on the lower level physical connections (say Ethernet) and others operate at higher levels (say the application layer). Consequently, it is hard to determine what type of impact that the change at your company may have on you. It probably will have no impact (in general, companies change regularly and try to do it in a way that does not disrupt the employees. In a worst case scenario, a setting may be changed so you may need to download new software to your system in order to access the network.