While many companies outside of the United States have embraced managed services for their SD-WAN needs, many US-based companies, especially larger ones, have stuck to a DIY approach. Before your next SD-WAN refresh, take a moment to evaluate all that SD-WAN managed services has to offer. Working with a partner will allow you and your team to focus on other strategic initiatives, confident in the fact that your SD-WAN refresh is being handled by a team of professionals that are looking out for you every step of the way.
4 Benefits of SD-WAN Managed Services
Eliminates Risk
Your team is undoubtedly great at their jobs but, odds are, they are not SD-WAN experts. When you decide to implement an SD-WAN solution, or are looking to upgrade or refresh your current SD-WAN, finding a managed services partner ensures that you are working with SD-WAN experts who have a world of experience in designing and implementing SD-WAN solutions. A managed services partner will have done many, many more SD-WAN deployments than your team, and has more experience with the obstacles and problems that can crop up during the deployment of new technology.
Access to More Vendors & Solutions
Working with a managed services partner allows you to avoid becoming locked-in to a single vendor or technology solution. Your partner will design an end-to-end custom solution for your company’s SD-WAN needs. They will also have existing relationships with many vendors and a greater understanding of their offerings, and how they would best serve your needs. A traditional RFP process won’t necessarily bring in the best vendors for your needs. Same for a vendor search conducted by your company. A managed services partner that has been working in the field will have a deep knowledge of vendors and their products that you need to find the best match.
Quicker Implementation
This quote from a recent Networkworld article on SD-WAN and managed services sums it up the benefits of quicker implementation perfectly:
“Harrison Lewis, CIO, and chief privacy officer at Northgate Markets, settled on an SD-WAN deployment. After evaluating the pros and cons of the do-it-yourself (DIY) option versus a managed service, Lewis decided that a managed approach was preferable for multiple reasons, with speed at the top of the list. “We had a compressed timeline,” he says. “We didn’t have the luxury of saying, ‘Let’s take our time with it.”’
The managed route is simply faster, as you only have to manage one vendor selection process and implementation can begin almost immediately.
End-to-End Management
Or no more balancing multiple vendors. Your department is probably already managing multiple vendor contracts and vendor relationships. You don’t need to add more on top of it with a new SD-WAN infrastructure. By working with a managed services partner, there’s only one point of contact. Your partner will also manage any needed updates, routine maintenance, required service, and the other minor nuisances that can come with new technology. They will also ensure that all pieces of equipment are optimized for the best performance.
Managed SD-WAN services are an ideal way to implement the latest in SD-WAN technology for your company. They can save you time, money, and headaches while freeing up your time to focus on other strategic initiatives. Contact us today to learn more.
