Almost all businesses and companies are struggling with modern digital transformation initiatives that seek to fulfill the needs of emerging and ever-changing market trends and increased competition. But these digital initiatives require critical business services that are not that simple to manage on traditional networks, especially when the business is spread across various business locations and multiple network clouds. All of which has led to the adoption of SD-WAN to solve the network performance, cost, and other issues that arise.
What is SD-WAN?
Large business organizations are adopting SD-WAN for the various benefits that it has over traditional networks. We will look at these benefits below in this article, but the biggest advantage is the significant reduction in overhead costs and better network performance. While at the same time offering greater flexibility and allowing you to access multi-cloud services smoothly and without any hassle. This advanced technology also helps to simplify the network management and operation.
How does SD-WAN Work?
SD-WAN includes separating various applications from the core network services by utilizing a policy-based overlap. This expertly designed overlap monitors the real-time performance of those particular networks and then picks the best network for each application as per the requirements.
Software-defined networking (SDN) also allows for flexible deployment and user-based solutions between different business locations such as head office and data centers.
Furthermore, SD-WAN services and networks also help you in optimizing traffic flows and reduce expenses and overhead at branch sites.
By replacing traditional networks and routers with modern appliances that utilize various advancements and technologies, it enables businesses to route large chunks of their traffic through cost-effective services like broadband.
The primary objective of using SD-WAN (SDWAN) technology is to offer a smooth, reliable, secure, and simple cloud-based WAN connection that is compatible with open and software-based technologies.
Different Types of SD-WAN Architectures
Not all service providers provide the same architectures of SD-WAN. However, generally, you can classify them into three architecture types:
On-Prem SD-WAN
On-Prem SD-WAN implementation is not that expensive as other types as it only establishes networks remotely between different business sites, not for cloud services. Mostly, you will find On-Prem SD-WAN in the businesses that host most of their applications locally.
Cloud-Enabled SD-WAN
As the name clearly states, a cloud-enabled SD-WAN solution utilizes advanced cloud gateways to communicate with other cloud-based applications of your business. This includes all the applications from cloud-based CRM application suites, as well as other everyday cloud-based office applications.
Cloud-Enabled SD-WAN with Backbone
This provides all the benefits of cloud-enabled SD-WAN, but it also exploits the service provider’s nearby Point of Presence or POP.
This includes the services provider’s high network speed, fiber-optic connections, and other features which offer your network enhanced performance and seamless connectivity.
Benefits of using SD-WAN for your business
To reduce your IT headaches, SD-WAN offers many benefits but the most significant among those for your business are:
Improves Performance
As you know, there are many different types of network traffic. Luckily, you can configure and optimize SD-WAN as per your company’s critical traffic and real-time services such as Voice over Internet Protocol.
Furthermore, you can also efficiently steer critical traffic through the most competent route. By smoothing your business’s critical applications via high-performing network connections, you or your team can easily reduce packet loss and overcome those annoying latency issues.
Enhances Security
Digital transformation changes rapidly and at a surprising pace. While it helps improve the overall customer experience, it can also expose your business to severe cyber threats and hacking attempts.
Additionally, as per a survey recently performed by the U.S. State of Cybercrime, 41% of business owners reported a rapid increase in the frequency of Cyber Security threats in 2020. But luckily, SD-WAN solutions provide reliable and trustworthy built-in security for all business owners.
However, not all SD-WAN solutions are that advanced. Thus, we recommend you discuss the security issues with your IT experts and then finalize your decision.
In our opinion, the best approach is to go with SD-WAN solutions that provide you various integrated cybersecurity protocols, such as NGFW, IPS, end-to-end encryption, AV, and sandboxing capabilities.
All such features are useful and prevent data loss, organization downtime, regulatory violations, and also helps to reduce your legal liabilities.
Lowers Complexity
Digital transformation brings multiple layers of complexity to your business network, especially when you are running a large business organization.
These transformations often result in unsatisfactory or poor network performance, and sometimes you get nothing but over-taxed IT teams. In severe cases, you might need to locate IT personnel at your business’s remote sites just to handle the local IT system.
Fortunately, SD-WAN can help you in all these cases by simplifying your company’s WAN infrastructure. This is because it utilizes broadband to curtail load from your non-critical business applications, automating various business tasks and by managing your network’s traffic via a centralized location.
In this regard, we recommend you look for the SD-WAN system that you can best integrate into your local offices and infrastructure.
Permits Cloud Usage
Businesses are moving on to cloud-based services and this is one of the most significant benefits of implementing SD-WAN for your business. The SD-WAN solutions allow for direct cloud access even at your remote locations. This reduces backhauling traffic by routing all cloud and branch traffic through the centralized data center. Moreover, it allows your employees to access cloud applications no matter where they are situated.
This unique centralized approach is useful for businesses as it curtails the burden from your main network and makes things more secure and free of risks. The SD-WAN system also enhances cloud application performance by arranging your most important applications.
Reduces Overhead and other Costs
If your business is utilizing an ever-increasing and vast array of cloud-based applications, the data routing over a WAN raises costs drastically and increases your operating expenses.
Fortunately, SD-WAN is also the solution here. It reduces all these expenses by leveraging low internet access and provides smooth and direct cloud access. Not only this, but it also decreases the traffic from your main WAN.
According to a survey, about a quarter of IT experts find SD-WAN solutions cost savings, and half of them stated that its potential is much higher in the near future.
Reduces WAN OpEx and CapEx Costs
ROI for ant software-based network or even the data center is too expensive. But that’s not the case when you have SD-WANs. The ROI in this infrastructure is vivid and quick.
Furthermore, by implementing an SD-WAN solution, you can enhance or change your traditional MPLS connections with the secure broadband internet services. This will improve customer experience and also reduce your business’s WAN costs radically.
Moreover, a centrally managed SD-WAN system also reduces OPEX. Opening a new branch or remote location is simple when you have SD-WAN and a matter of a few minutes. Plus, no need to deploy specialized IT officials at that branch.
High Business Agility
Another key feature of deploying SD-WAN services is enhanced network agility. As SD-WAN works as an automatic funnel for your network’s traffic via the fastest and secure connection, you will not face common network issues like jittering, latency issues, and other similar network problems.
SD-WAN facilitates advanced WAN services, like bandwidth and an improved firewall. As a result of these, you can easily distribute your various business operations to branch sites without sending your IT team.
Besides, it also allows businesses to add or remove bandwidth as per your business’s exact requirements to gain an edge over your competitors.
In the End
In this technology-driven era, there is a reliable networking solution for every type of business. No need to opt for high-cost solutions or degraded cloud performance with restricted agility. SD-WAN solutions are perfect for your business and much better than traditional networks.
Furthermore, with SD-WAN, you can achieve various benefits such as a secure network, cloud-based solutions, a global backbone system, and more without any limitations.
Lastly, SD-WAN technology also enables you to get much more affordable connection types than MPLS and other networks. Plus, you can change the WAN type when traffic volumes change or when needed as per your business’s requirements.
Also Read: How to free up space on Mac?
Now before you go…
If you want to learn how to build a business online and scale it to your dreams and goals? Partner up with me by clicking the banner below:
We will show you EXACTLY how to build a business online, with an implementation plan that is customized just for you.
We will help you choose a niche, set up your online business, and provide offers that you can promote.
Best of all, you will get ONE on ONE mentoring to make sure you are doing things right, and that you stay on track.
Have any questions in mind? Feel Free to comment below.
1 thought on “7 Business Benefits of SD-WAN”
Pingback: Best Sleep Apps in 2021 - fulfillgenie.com