What is SD-WAN?
Software Defined Wide Area Networks (SD-WAN) is the Next Generation in Networking for Wide Area Networks worldwide. SD-WAN is often replacing Virtual Private Networks (VPN’s) or enhancing the performance and visibility therein. These new networks are characterized by simplified management options, improved visibility, increased application performance metrics and the ability to virtualize technology. Often the higher performing WAN can be designed in ways that can significantly reduce the costs associated with connectivity and performance enhancement tools!
MYTH: “WE CAN SAVE YOU 50% ON YOUR NETWORK, PROVIDE UP TO 10X THE BANDWIDTH AND INSTALL 10X AS FAST AS MPLS”
CONTEXT: Almost every SD-WAN provider makes this, or a similar, claim. While it sounds GREAT and can be true in the MOST EXTREME cases…
TRUTH: The above-mentioned quoted statement is true when you have a network designed with either very expensive MPLS connections and a backup already in place. The only other time it is true is when you already are paying for WAN ACCELERATION — and/or potentially when you are replacing expensive edge security with software defined solutions that are built into some SD-WAN solutions.
MYTH: “ALL SD-WAN SOLUTIONS ARE ALIKE”
CONTEXT: Usually stated by either the bottom 80% of the 52 SD-WAN providers that currently exist OR by IT Team Members that do not want to take the time to understand and define the market!
TRUTH: The “SD-WAN” report by Gartner is really a WAN Edge Report that includes SD-WAN and other congruent technologies like WAN Optimization and WAN Edge Security solutions. As such, to take it as the defining factor on SD-WAN or companies that you should select to evaluate MIGHT be a mistake!
MYTH: “GARTNER’S REPORT IS ALL I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SD-WAN”
CONTEXT: Typically stated by Gartner Representatives, very conservative IT Decision Makers and/or companies who find themselves in the best/correct quadrant!
TRUTH: The “SD-WAN” report by Gartner is really a WAN Edge Report that includes SD-WAN and other congruent technologies like WAN Optimization and WAN Edge Security solutions. As such, to take it as the defining factor on SD-WAN or companies that you should select to evaluate MIGHT be a mistake!
MYTH: “YOU SHOULD PROCURE YOUR SD-WAN FROM YOUR LARGE CARRIER TO KEEP YOUR PROVIDERS AND BILLS TO A MINIMUM”
CONTEXT: Usually stated by carriers who have partnered with one SD-WAN provider OR sometimes by a lazy agent who just wants the path of least resistance toward a commission check!
TRUTH: I recently heard a CIO tell me over dinner that the adage may have now changed… he explained, “You used to hear that you could not get fired over contracting with AT&T… Now you might get fired because you’re SO overpaying when you contract with any ONE LARGE CARRIER!”
MYTH: “WE SHOULD EVALUATE 5 TO 7 SOLUTIONS TO CREATE COMPETITION, GET THE BEST PRICE AND FIND THE RIGHT SOLUTION FOR OUR COMPANY”
CONTEXT: Sometimes stated by independent minded IT professionals who have often met with 3-5+ SD-WAN providers and want to show both due diligence and self-sufficiency throughout the organization. Also, stated by IT Leaders who believe they can drive a better price by negotiating directly with SD-WAN providers…
TRUTH: 1. Every SD-WAN provider is “Channel” focused! This means that they ALL sell their solutions THROUGH a partner, an agent or a VAR of some sort – every time! It doesn’t cost the end-user more and it helps the SD-WAN companies scale much more efficiently – which results in a lower cost to the end user! 2. Any POC plan over three – shows me that there was not enough up-front work done to determine the objectives.
HOW READY IS YOUR ORGANIZATION FOR SD-WAN?
The Xcelocloud SD-WAN Assessment Framework (XSAF) is a best practices assessment framework for assessing, evaluating and implementing SD-WAN technologies and network optimization services. SD-WAN offers many advantages over traditional Wide Area Networking (WAN) and Local Area Networking (LAN) solutions. In leveraging SD-WAN and network optimization services, organizations are able to consolidate and provision solutions and services quickly and are often able to realize reduced information technology costs and improved network monitoring, management and analytics.
XSAF provides an absolute standard for assessing, evaluating and implementing SD-WAN technologies. Using a “discovery first” methodology, XSAF reduces the time and cost of conducting resource intensive evaluations and enables organizations to implement a chosen technology with greater accuracy and speed – often saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in the process.
PLEASE FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW TO ACCESS YOUR XSAF INTRODUCTORY ASSESSMENT
