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Evaluating SD-WAN Vendors
When pursuing an enterprise innovation strategy, IT needs to assess how delivering new apps for end customers or new DevOps platforms will affect bandwidth needs or alter network traffic priorities. For example, if the board is rethinking the business model, how many global locations will need support and what level of access will new classes of remote workers, partners, and contractors receive?
Network agility goals will vary widely among global companies. One enterprise might be looking for an SD-WAN vendor that provides network optimization and improved efficiency of circuits out of the box, while another focuses solely on better voice and video delivery for teams working collaboratively.
To achieve true agility, SD-WAN also forces companies to rethink their security postures, particularly where complicated configurations are in place. Security of course should be number one priority for any new network architecture, particularly as more applications move to the cloud. SD-WAN provides the opportunity for a more secure architecture than a traditional WAN, but to achieve this, the security team and policies must be integrated from the start. Choosing an SD-WAN provider that also understands the security world will be of clear benefit here.
Many global-level carriers rely on a single vendor to deliver their SD-WAN services, which means their capabilities are defined by what that individual vendor's product is designed to do and not necessarily suited to meeting agility requirements. IT teams might be wise to seek a specialist SD-WAN provider that can map out flexible options, without the need for a long-term deal or a large-scale investment.
Each vendor approaches architectural needs or delivers its commercial offering in very different ways. A global carrier offering connectivity with SD-WAN services may be an attractive option to a fast-growing company, especially if it provides coverage in new territories targeted by the business. Such "one size fits all" deals are simple and save time in the short term, but the IT decision makers need to be aware that the carrier agreement might limit the type of circuits used, and lock them into costly contractual commitments over a longer timeframe.
And amid the recent rush to provide SD-WAN offerings, there's the old question of vendor responsiveness and reporting. CIOs in fast-growing or hard-pressed enterprises need to satisfy themselves that the new vendor and carrier SD-WAN services established in the last 12 months are truly flexible enough to ensure manageable costs, responsive support teams, and compliance with security regulations. To perform such due diligence takes time, which must be carefully balanced with speed to market to ensure the right results.
As we've seen, finding the right way through the trees also demands detailed discussions with SD-WAN integrators and vendors that will find the most appropriate options for a global enterprise with unique network agility demands.
SD-WAN tools will undoubtedly give IT teams agile network options to better support business units around the world. But IT organizations in fast-moving companies need to assess their connectivity and performance needs carefully and ask their potential SD-WAN vendors how they'll bring clarity to implementing and managing these tools' costs. If not, IT will still struggle to see the management wood through the networking trees.
Learn more about SD-WAN at Enterprise Connect 2018, March 12 to 15, in Orlando, Fla. Register now using the code NOJITTER to save an additional $200 off the Early Bird Pricing or get a free Expo Plus pass.
