If the slow speed of operations that run inside your organisations or the decreased reliability of connectivity and communications depress you, we understand the pain. Your MPLS WAN network can be a trouble, especially when you are dealing with the latest advancements in technology that require you to keep a seamless network of communication.
 
While upgrading to the latest version and troubleshooting the MPLS WAN problems might do the trick for you, it won’t be long when you discover unnecessary expenses, piling up the list of running an organisation.
 
Wonder what could save you? Or maybe a solution that could save you from all the troubles as mentioned above?
 

SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) might be the answer for you!

 
Because the future of enterprise networks beholds a comprehensive application, adapting from the current framework to the mesh architecture, consisting of entry points of several connection types that help transmit tons of data across global locations, without having to go through the struggles of packet loss.
 
Yes, SD-WAN is one such solution that makes seamless operations possible. Software-Defined WAN is one of the leading technologies in the industry that has upgraded the overall WAN technology and paired it to multiple end-points over the cloud, to enable a unified platform for seamless communications. Designed to improve the dead-end frustrations of yesteryear’s MPLS and AMP architectures, the demand for SD-WAN has been soaring to new highs with a market size of $1.3 billion in 2020.
 
Now, these solutions sound interesting as they target some of the most comprehensive problems that are faced by the industries. However, there’s something more that they have to offer.
 

Benefits of switching over to SD-WAN

While we believe that the significant problem that SD-WAN eliminates is that of MPLS WAN, however, this is not just it. SD-WAN has proven itself to be a worthy upgrade over its run in the past few years, so much so, its market size is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 60% between 2020 and 2026.
 

The essence of SD-WAN lies with improved connections that are more reliable, dynamic and secure than the traditional WAN connections. Today, SD-WAN is creating all the right forms of news for being a steadfast pillar of modern, hybrid network architecture that is well connected to multiple clouds, adding on to the functionality of an enterprise.
 

Let’s have a look at how these SD-WAN solutions have improved the lives of leading organisations for the better:

• Transport Flexibility:

SD-WAN provides businesses of all shapes and sizes with improved scope for independence, in terms of networks and its data management. On the other hand, when businesses switch to SD-WAN, they are relieved from the troubles of having to rely on one channel of communication, that might create a significant lag in productivity, at times of technical difficulties.
 
However, things are different in SD-WAN. It allows businesses to receive flexibility in opting for data transport methods. The cloud deployment that is held over SD-WAN improves the scope of businesses as they no longer have to rely on a rigid architecture for their communication. Instead, this virtualized WAN now allows companies to make use of multiple transport protocols, including the likes of 3G, 4G LTE, Serial, MPLS, Ethernet, Internet, WiFi and more.
 

• Greater Security:

Security has been a significant threat to the underlying traditional WAN solutions. Their nature of handling security on a branch-by-branch basis makes the SD-WAN solution very weak and prone to easy attacks on multiple levels. Further, when the events of cyber security take place, it takes away the essential hours that could have been utilized for improved production at work.
 
However, things are different when you switch over to SD-WAN. With SD-WAN, you can easily include all the essential universal security functions that promote the vital tasks at multiple levels. Moreover, the SD-WAN functionalities that are present over such solutions work as a reliable means to opt for seamless integrations with the cloud servers. SD-WAN also allows improved malware defenses with a robust firewall, adding to the enhanced security and decreasing the cost to the user.
 

• Intelligent Control:

One of the significant advantages of switching over to SD-WAN is the possible integration of a smart pathway control over a single, unified platform that adds on to the transparency of the organisation. SD-WAN provides your business with the functionality to serve without hindrance.
 
The control system present over the framework helps steer the traffic intelligently and is based out of a centralized controller, allowing businesses to be implemented on multiple locations. Even better, businesses with the integration of SD-WAN help improve and segregate traffic control protocol, incorporating the different protocols to a specified IP address, and the reliable number of quality-of-service markings, at any given time of day.
 

• Automatic Provisioning:

Automatic provisioning counts for the hassle-free nature of business operations, post the integration of SD-WAN with your existing architecture. The easy deployment and hassle-free nature of SD-WAN make it easier to control the nature of your operations.
 
Further, SD-WAN also allows the companies to incorporate devices to different branches in an organised and effective manner, only to be downloaded at the discretion of the users at various geographical locations.
 
SD-WAN solutions are indeed one of the most reliable network solutions that help your business make the right move towards a secure and automated future. The SD-WAN market solutions that are present over different aspects in a business will help your business excel at addressing the network’s needs besides providing you with a competitive edge over others.
 
However, knowing the benefits and understanding the basics around SD-WAN is not just it; you need to understand the implications before you opt for such a system solution. SD-WAN serves different organisations as each, and every one of them is unique and based out of the different nature of business.

Therefore, to help you out with the same, we have come up with a list of 10 critical considerations that you need to look after, before opting for SD-WAN solutions in your business:

1. Is it saving you money?

 
One of the very first things that you should notice when you make your switch to SD-WAN is if it is saving you over the monetary costs. When you switch to the economies of SD-WAN, the primary focus of the implementation is based towards the cost-avoidance of the overall setup and improvement on the efficiency of operations.

On the other hand, when you make the right switch from expensive WAN links, your average WAN data growth can be handled seamlessly with the help of dedicated bandwidth. Your average SD-WAN should be able to save you over two to five times more bandwidth.

2. Is it providing you with enough security?

 
Another crucial question that you need to ask yourself, post the application of SD-WAN is about the level of security that the system solution provides you with.
 
Today, with over 30 million attacks per year, hacking and several cyber malfunctions are very common and security measures for the same need to be increased and strengthened as well. The last thing that you would want from your communications networks is a cyber attack.
 
Therefore, we suggest you consider the crucial aspect of firewalls that are provided to you by the vendor or the solution provider.
 

Further, when you switch to SD-WAN over your traditional WAN networks, you get the access to:

• Encrypted network traffic
• A centralized provisioning system
• Network segmentation
• Updated firewalls

3. Is your SD-WAN solution reliable?

 
The SD-WAN solutions have been able to manage a diverse flow and seemingly manage all the essential aspects of networking with traffic to flow over two or more independent WAN links. This way, your SD-WAN solution helps your business to get the right access to establish reliable connectivity to all the remote offices, shared over geographies.
 
When your SD-WAN networking solutions connect you over more than one form of the service provider, the seamless network is just a matter of time. The intelligence of SD-WAN helps your business monitor all the necessary links and helps route traffic effectively over varied channels of 4G LTE, 3G and modem, among others.
 

4. Can it identify and prioritize the traffic for my business/organisation?

 
Another important question that you might come across when you decide to move your base of networks to SD-WAN is whether this solution will be efficient enough to segregate and drive the right traffic to the right channel.

Today, in a scenario where most of the organisations face problems over hub-and-spoke WAN connections where traffic can’t be back-hauled to a central data center, SD-WAN helps drive the moving traffic between point-to-point links that can be availed remotely and over the SaaS applications.
 

5. Will I get the plug and play functionality or I have to spend something more?

 
SD-WANs have rightly earned their name around easy deployment; the basic functionality allows them to adapt to the existing frameworks and get the networking panels connected in all the remote offices. Interestingly, you don’t need to change much when it comes to switching to SD-WAN. However, if you did, it’s a thing to ask.
 
When you opt for SD-WAN technology, you don’t necessarily need to deploy it to a conventional setting. All you need to do is plug the system into AC power and establish the WAN connections, followed by remote configurations by your IT team.
 

6. Is my business getting the multi-cloud functionality?

 
A vast number of IT companies have reliable networks for data exchange. These centers are widely responsible for getting access to SaaS applications.
 
When you opt for SD-WAN solutions, you must understand their ability to recognize and be able to merge all the cloud-based traffic that flows in and out of the data centers.
 

7. Will I be getting the desired integrations?

 
Another crucial question that you need to ask yourself before switching to SD-WAN is about the availability of integrations over your systems.
 
The nature of the functioning of SD-WAN allows them to overlay on top of your existing MPLS network. This way, your business can easily enjoy the functionality of reliable network connections, without uprooting your entire network.
 

Yes, SD-WAN allows you with such flexibility.

8. Will SD-WAN introduce automation in my organisation?

 
For a wide variety of SD-WAN solutions, automation is the primary output that they add to any given organisation. When the users opt for the right network and customization for improved intelligence and management, moving the centralized data center to the cloud becomes easier.
 
SD-WAN allows you with a broad exposure to automation, without having to compromise with the effective functioning of the organisation.
 

9. Are the SD-WAN solutions self-managed or they have managed services?

 
There’s no point if you have to pay for the management of your SD-WAN solution, especially after you are primarily using it for automation in your organisation.
 
However, if it suits you best, different IT organisations can also make the use of SD-WAN technology and provide it with the purchased SD-WAN services. While most organisations do benefit from such providers, others outsource these solutions.
 

10. Will the SD-WAN be implemented over SD-Branch?

 
Your SD-WAN integration should be allowing you to leverage the concepts of SDN and different formats of network virtualization, allowing businesses to make use of all the popular networks that come handy.
 
You should be looking for the SD-WAN solution providers that give you the option to expand and improve the functionality, either internally or via partnerships over multiple providers.

Conclusion

With the rise in growth and dedicated shift from the traditional WAN architecture, SD-WAN is indeed the right step towards the future of networks and communication. Today, the business of every shape and size are seizing the opportunity with a switch to SD-WAN.

 
Suppose you haven’t already made the switch to the seamless network of communications that allows you to tap into the world of limitless possibilities over customer experience. In that case, we suggest you try out the services of Lavelle Networks SD-WAN solutions and provide your business with the best.
 

Opt for a centrally orchestrated SD-WAN solution to improve user experience and to simplify operations today with Lavelle Networks ScaleAOn SD-WAN Solutions.

Learn all about ScaleAOn SD-WAN