For any industry, change of the business landscape is the only constant. For Telecom ISVs, this brings forth the challenge of adapting their networks to changing customer and market needs. Before digitization, this meant configuring (or updating/upgrading) each network component individually and then monitoring it to ensure alignment. But in the digital age, ISVs need to resort to better, more efficient ways of adapting their networks, enabling central monitoring, and enhancing the performance (and security) of their networks. The solution: SD-WAN!

What is SD-WAN?

SD-WAN, or software-defined wide-area network, uses software-based technology to control the connectivity, management, and services between networks. Its ability to manage multiple connections using a single platform makes the task of monitoring and managing networks easy – giving ISVs the agility they need to respond to the ongoing demand for changes.

Using SD-WAN, Telecom ISVs can seamlessly handle policy, security, and networking functions. They can also segment, partition, and secure the traffic that is traversing the WAN. They can simplify the deployment of new links while constantly optimizing them. This also helps them save money in the process.

Why are Telecom ISVs turning to SD-WAN?

When applications resided in physical data centers, routing traffic to these data centers using MPLS was a logical choice. However, as cloud redefines the application delivery model, traditional, MPLS-based routing techniques are found wanting in meeting the growing needs of modern businesses. Since MPLS provides only point-to-point connectivity, it fails to cater to the needs of the cloud era and this becomes a key structural impediment in achieving successful digital transformation.

Also, with network expansion and challenging customer expectations, Telecom ISVs need to be able to remotely set up secure regional zones and direct traffic to where it needs to go based on internal security policies.

The widespread adoption of cloud services is compelling Telecom ISVs to turn to SD-WAN for easier deployment, simpler management, and faster connections. Offering the best combination of performance, price, and flexibility as compared to traditional, data center approaches, SD-WAN has become an attractive choice for Telecom ISVs to:

• Meet the needs of today’s modern digital businesses
• Easily and dynamically manage multiple connection types across the network
• Improve application performance, flexibility, and end-user experience
• Guarantee a high level of service quality and security

The benefits of SD-WAN

As Telecom ISVs struggle with complex operational processes, poor monitoring and management, and growing security threats, the adoption of next-generation SD-WAN networks become a great way to keep the networks running at peak performance. Here are some benefits of SD-WAN that Telecom ISVs can leverage to change the game:

• Easy configuration: In contrast to MPLS networks that had to be manually installed and managed, Telecom ISVs can centrally manage the SD-WAN architecture through a single pane of glass. They can get real-time insights into the performance of their networks and effortlessly optimize performance.
• Enhanced performance: SD-WAN’s automation and smart traffic control capabilities make it easy for Telecom ISVs to overcome the challenge of bandwidth constraints. This also enables them to create an efficient alternative to complex manual maintenance. Using SD-WAN, telcos can enable intelligent path control, steer traffic based on existing load, and eliminate latency issues and costly downtimes.
• Reduced costs: Unlike traditional routing techniques that can drain a company’s IT budget, SD-WAN reduces the reliance on expensive hardware and systems. This not only brings down the physical costs of networking, but also helps in dynamically adapting to changing network conditions while reducing the probability of downtime during installation, maintenance, or repair.
• Improved flexibility: The simple “plug & play” deployment model allows Telecom ISVs to easily and quickly reconfigure existing architectures and make the network adaptable to the needs of different customers. ISVs can add new physical branches into the WAN architecture while sending configuration updates to all WAN appliances with a single click.
• Better security: In addition to improving the performance and flexibility of networks, SD-WAN also offers better security and performance. By leveraging a full stack of security solutions including next-gen firewalls, IPS, URL filtering, malware protection, cloud security, and more, Telecom ISVs can protect mission-critical traffic and assets from vulnerabilities.

As new network complexities constantly emerge, embracing SD-WAN can give telecom operators and service providers a clear picture of what’s happening in the telecom network: from what applications are in use to who is using them and what network challenges are currently being faced. Such insights into network metrics can empower Telecom ISVs to work towards prioritizing their tasks and routing traffic to meet the changing needs of the business.

Further Reading: SD-WAN is radically improving the networking space. Read this eBrief that dissects the SD-WAN trends and describes its benefits, key players, market landscape, and some interesting statistics and forecasts.