SD-WAN Archives - Page 5 of 5

When it’s time to improve operational efficiency or streamline any business process, the main motivator is always cost savings. It’s no different when considering the deployment of a software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) solution for the enterprise network.

When it comes to connectivity, one of the costliest expenses is maintaining legacy equipment. Legacy network solutions often block an enterprise from taking advantage of cloud solutions that could help achieve a new level of performance and efficiency. Investing in SD-WAN removes the roadblocks that burden the company with expensive legacy maintenance. There are several ways in which the application of SD-WAN technology can be effective:

Hybrid WAN: A hybrid solution allows the enterprise to utilize existing equipment and legacy network solutions to optimize internet traffic based on link availability and the importance of the transmission. This reduces costs by allowing the enterprise to better manage bandwidth.

Connectivity for Cloud Infrastructure: Many enterprises use SD-WAN to support Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), in which some workloads are moved to the cloud.

Connectivity for Cloud Software: Another common use of SD-WAN is the support of software applications housed in the cloud. SD-WAN allows for a direct connection to cloud providers from each branch location.

Each of these instances is designed for cost savings, and that remains the main benefit of SD-WAN deployment. Enterprises also enjoy better performance and agility, along with a centralized control panel for network management.

Here are the main ways in which SD-WAN helps reduce costs:

WAN Connectivity: Paying monthly for multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) can become cost-prohibitive as a company scales. SD-WAN allows companies to effectively manage all possible network connections to full capacity without having concerns about idle links for backup. SD-WAN allows for the same performance, security, and management flexibility while also saving money.

Equipment: Every time your organization purchases a router, you need to factor in the acquisition cost as well as configuration and maintenance. SD-WAN allows for a significant reduction in hardware and maintenance costs.

Network deployment and management: Centralized management of the network is one of the key ways that organizations achieve cost savings with SD-WAN. In many cases, other network solutions require skilled network engineers at branch locations for configuration of the network or to troubleshoot problems. SD-WAN allows the enterprise to bring a new location online quickly and configure and troubleshoot from a central location.

SD-WAN has emerged as an agile way to optimize network connectivity. At Cloud Source, we first help you determine if SD-WAN is right for your business, then we help you sift through SD-WAN providers to find the right fit. Contact us for more information.

Implementing a software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) provides many benefits, including the ability to access any number of transport technologies to connect users, quickly launch new branch offices, and increase agility. Utilizing SD-WAN is also a great way to reduce network costs.

Even as enterprises are seeing the need for SD-WAN, they also must take care to choose a vendor that can meet their needs. Finding the right solution can be time-consuming, because implementing SD-WAN may take lower priority than other items in your digital transformation timeline. As time goes by, the products available are subject to innovation and change, making the selection even more confusing and complicated.

As a result, many companies are hiring providers to manage their SD-WAN. This choice allows for not only the security, maintenance, and updates that come with any as-a-service IT solution, but it also comes with the insight of specialists for whom SD-WAN conversation is their native language.

Questions to Ask When Selecting a Vendor

There are a few questions you should consider before choosing your SD-WAN vendor. You must know whether your vendor can support your current needs as well as future requirements that come up as your company grows and implements a digital transformation plan. Ask these questions before settling on an SD-WAN vendor:

Does the SD-WAN service provider have the ability to guarantee predictable performance on all applications, whether SaaS (Software as a Service) or on-site?
Will the service optimize connectivity to any type of cloud?
Are there high availability alternatives?
Can the provider support new and custom applications?
Is the SD-WAN service compatible with integrated WAN optimization at various company locations?
How will SD-WAN interact with your current routers, secure web gateways, and firewalls?
How will the use of SD-WAN help streamline branch office infrastructure?
Will the provider supply a centralized orchestration console for your use in managing various applications’ QoS and security?

Carefully consider how your vendor will meet each of these qualifications, particularly if your enterprise embraces the need for increased performance and agility through cloud migration. Changing vendors after you’ve realized your SD-WAN solution isn’t meeting your needs could be costly and time-consuming.

If you’re struggling to find the right technology for your business, talk with us at Cloud Source. We help you simplify your vendor selection process and choose a set of solutions that supports your business and provides the agility and performance you want.

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