Monthly Archives: February 2017

Rethinking Wide Area Networking

SD WANThere is a shift in how businesses use technology. New applications, including Voice over IP VoIP phone systems, Cloud Based Email, File Sync & Sharing all require solid network infrastructure. According to a recent report from the Enterprise Strategy Group, Demonstrating SD-WAN Business Value: Rethinking WAN for a Modern Age, distributed organizations with multiple Remote Office/Branch Office (ROBO) locations may need to reduce unnecessary deployment and management of network infrastructure. Elements of infrastructure, such as head-end devices or appliances at branches, can be replaced with simple appliances supported by Cloud-based services. Here is a highlight of ESG’s findings:

Simplify your Wide Area Network

Software Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) technology can act as an enabler for Hybrid WAN technology by combining multiple transports, such as MPLS networks and business-class broadband networking. Managing your network can be streamlined by centralizing policy management, monitoring, and systems for troubleshooting. What’s more, reducing dependency on specific network suppliers and transport mechanisms results in the flexibility to find lower-cost alternates without compromising service levels.

Minimize Operational Expense

By using a zero-touch deployment model, companies can reduce truck rolls by remotely managing installation, configuration updates, and troubleshooting. Like Software as a Service (SaaS) works for application deployment, SD-WAN can remove the complexity of managing a Wide Area Network (WAN) for Remote Office/Branch Office (ROBO) environments.

Reduce the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of Your Wide Area Network

Implementing SD-WAN technology is expected to save costs related to bandwidth by providing more flexible networking options. In addition, by reducing the operating expense of service delivery related to installation, configuration, operations, and management additional costs will be eliminated from moving services to the Cloud. Wide Area Networking (WAN) as a Service eases deployments by minimizing truck rolls.

If you are looking to save by upgrading your WAN infrastructure by using SD-WAN technologies, contact your network solutions advisors for an independent assessment of your needs.

Considerations for Cloud Migration

Advantages of Moving to CloudThe market for Cloud Computing is maturing. According to Trends in Cloud Computing, a recent research report by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), 90 percent claim using some form of Cloud Computing. In fact, the report provides insights that 43 percent of the Companies using Cloud Computing are migrating from one Public Cloud Provider to another for a variety of reasons including security, cost and open standards. Here are a few considerations for Cloud migration gleaned from the report.

Cloud Application Usage

Many companies turn to the Cloud for applications including business productivity, Email, Analytics/BI, and Collaboration Applications. Other applications of Cloud technology include Virtual Desktop, CRM, Call Center and Voice Applications. When you migrate to Cloud from “on- premise” applications your business will gain a variety of benefits, provided you consider network security and performance in your planning. Without these migration considerations you may not achieve the full benefit of your Cloud Migration.

 

Benefiting from Cloud Computing

Cloud Services offer a range of benefits. Cloud Computing may offer the ability to cut costs, reducing capital expenditures and operating complexity. In some cases, cloud offers simplicity or speed of deployment. You may also benefit from modernizing your legacy IT environments. Some companies turn to the Cloud for new software licensing and upgrade models, favoring the predictable pricing of Cloud subscription models over the up-front costs of a “on-premise” deployment. Cloud Computing can also offer your business new capabilities and features not available in on-premise versions of your favorite applications. Many companies report that Cloud solutions are simply a better option.

Challenges of Cloud Migration

The majority of companies find it requires little effort to move from an experimental stage of Cloud Usage to Non-critical use. An example might be a departmental pilot for a productivity application going live and into a production environment within the department. Taking an application to full production may require moderate to significant effort. An example is a company-wide rollout of a communications and collaboration platform. In the rollout of a company-wide application that replaces existing infrastructure, proper planning along with expert guidance can make the difference in the ultimate outcome of your Cloud Migration.

If you are considering migrating to the Cloud, why go it alone? Contact your technology advisor to ensure you navigate the challenges of your Cloud Migration.