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As businesses become more reliant on cloud-based applications and services, the need for a modern, agile and secure network infrastructure has become increasingly important. Software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) is an integral part of this equation.
In this article, we will explore how SD-WAN can enhance connectivity throughout the business. We’ll outline how it enables workload migration, provides centralised network management and connects employees and devices anywhere, any place and any time. Finally, we’ll provide advice on how to implement it as part of your digital transformation journey.
Table of contents
SD-WAN eases workload migration
One of the biggest challenges organisations face when first adopting cloud-based applications and services is being certain of the time frame and that the services that are migrated are the right ones. Sometimes it turns out not to be successful and some or all services need to migrate back again. SD-WAN becomes a facilitator of these change rather than a handicap to them. It enables fast reconfiguration of routing and access policy rules so that applications are accessible wherever they are based, and business productivity is maintained.
At the same time, SD-WAN also enables organisations to leverage multiple cloud providers to meet their business needs. In an uncertain world, not “putting all your eggs in one basket” might be a good strategy. Along these lines, having an agile network infrastructure underpinning that flexibility is also crucial.
SD-WAN can also help organisations to ensure delivery of their applications and services with optimal performance and security. By using advanced application recognition and control capabilities, SD-WAN can identify and prioritise critical applications. This prioritisation ensures they receive the necessary bandwidth and use the best path to reach any resource.
Flexible connectivity options with SD-WAN
SD-WAN provides secure, encrypted connectivity over any type of transport, including broadband, internet, LTE or 5G and MPLS – or any combination of them. This enables organisations to reduce their reliance on expensive, dedicated circuits. Instead, they can use cost-effective, commodity internet connections to provide the necessary connectivity and still be certain of a reliable service.
SD-WAN allows organizations to provide secure and reliable connectivity to employees, regardless of location or device. This is crucial in today’s work environment, where employees must access corporate resources from a variety of locations and devices.
Why SD-WAN provides optimal centralised network management
Finally, SD-WAN provides centralised network management and orchestration, which helps organisations to streamline their IT operations and improve their agility. It enables IT teams to deploy network policies quickly and easily across multiple connections and devices, monitor network performance and troubleshoot network issues — thus freeing up valuable resources and reducing the risk of downtime.
SD-WAN also provides advanced analytics and reporting capabilities, providing valuable insights into network performance and user behaviour. This can help businesses to optimise their network usage, reduce costs, and improve their business outcomes.
Take the next step in your digitalisation journey with a more robust network
Now that we’ve highlighted the advantages of this technology, here are our guidelines on how to implement it within your digitalisation strategy:
- Assess your current network infrastructure and identify areas that can benefit from SD-WAN.
- Develop a migration plan that prioritises critical applications and services whilst minimising disruption to business operations — not every site and function needs to migrate to it at the same time.
- Choose the right SD-WAN vendor and solution that aligns with your business needs and IT requirements.
- Ensure proper integration with your existing network and security solutions to maintain secure and reliable connectivity.
This can be a lot to handle on your own. However, relying on an experienced networking partner can significantly reduce the complexity. Contact us using the button below to get started optimising your organisation’s connectivity.
