2. Managed SD-WAN page

This page explores the core components of Managed SD-WAN and how it can benefit your organization. Headlines are hyperlinked to more detailed content. 

In today's fast-paced business world, staying ahead of the curve is paramount. Your network is the backbone of your operations, and ensuring its efficiency and security is no small feat. Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) has revolutionized connectivity but managing it can still demand significant time and expertise. That's where Managed SD-WAN comes in.

Managed SD-WAN takes the complexities of network management off your plate, allowing you to focus on what truly matters: your core business. Instead of grappling with the intricacies of configuration, optimization, and security, you can rely on experienced professionals to handle it all.

Increasingly security considerations are driving more clients to adopt this “fully managed” approach whereby most aspects of cyber security are embedded in the network. From managed network security firewalls to DDoS mitigation and beyond, the offerings are extensive from both telcos and other managed security providers.

Who Are These Managed SD-WAN Providers?

The Managed SD-WAN landscape is diverse, with a range of providers offering their expertise:

• Telecommunications Companies: Most established telecom providers have expanded their portfolios to include Managed SD-WAN services, leveraging their extensive network infrastructure.
• Specialized Managed Service Providers (MSPs): These providers focus solely on delivering managed services, often with deep expertise in specific industries or technologies.
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs): VARs partner with technology vendors to offer      bundled solutions, including Managed SD-WAN alongside other IT services. Most VARs in this space will now have arrived at an MSP offering of some sort.

Why Choose Managed SD-WAN? The Benefits Stack Up.

Outsourcing your Software Defined WAN management brings a host of advantages:

• Reduced Operational Burden: Free your internal IT team from the daily grind of network management. Let experts handle the complexities of configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting. Your team still has access to the centralized dashboard to see traffic metrics and may even be able to make some changes on the fly if authorized.
• Proactive Monitoring and Management: Managed SD-WAN providers offer 24/7 network      monitoring, proactively identifying and resolving issues before they impact your business. This generally will include proactive circuit trouble ticketing, even if you are running some Customer Provided Access (CPA) circuits. Just know there are lots of claims in this category, vendor selection is important, The Telecom Broker can help with providers who actually do a good job of this.
• Enhanced Security: Strengthen your network security posture with integrated      security solutions like High Availability (HA) firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and secure web gateways with managed VPN      services, all managed by experts with end user facing help desk services available.
• Optimized Performance: Providers continuously monitor and optimize your network to ensure peak performance, with traffic prioritization, application-aware routing, and bandwidth optimization. A caveat here is many promises, but vendor selection is paramount, that’s where The Telecom Broker can help with pre-vetted providers.
• Expert Support: Access a team of skilled, credentialed network engineers      whenever you need assistance, ensuring rapid resolution of any issues that may arise. I work closely to assist carrier Sales Engineers to get it right the first time, making sure your network design is scalable and flexible to meet your needs today, tomorrow and next year.
• Scalability and Flexibility: Easily scale your network up or down as your business needs change, with the support of your Managed SD-WAN provider and SD-WAN Guru.

Service Level Agreements: Your Guarantee of Quality

When considering a Managed SD-WAN provider, clear Service Level Agreements (SLAs) are crucial. SLAs define the provider's performance commitments, ensuring you receive the level of service you expect. Key aspects covered in SLAs include:

• Uptime Guarantees: Ensure your network’s circuits stay up and running with clearly defined circuit level uptime commitments and billing credits for downtime violating the SLAs.
• Performance Metrics: Establish performance expectations for latency, jitter, and packet loss, ensuring optimal application performance with billing credits for impaired service violating the SLAs.
• Troubleshooting Response Times: Define response times for resolving circuit or network issues, ensuring prompt circuit recovery or NOC support when you need it.
• Security Responsibilities: Outline the security measures the provider will      implement and their responsibilities in managing security threats. Some of      my providers also offer virtual Chief Security Officer (CSO) service, with      complete foundational support, including drafting your company’s security documentation to meet industry certifications and compliance metrics.

Best Effort Vs. Dedicated Circuits Based on Location Requirements

SLAs also also leads us to discriminate between dedicated services and "best effort circuits." Best effort circuits offer connectivity with limited or extended Mean Time to Repair (MTR) and generally no throughput performance metrics. Hence generally shallow or no SLAs.

Understanding best effort service (think cable modems, ADSL, cellular and other wireless like non-terrestrial circuits) limitations is vital, especially for locations with critical connectivity needs but small staffs. As your Telecom Broker, I will help assess your requirements and recommend options with the appropriate blend of two or more circuit types for each location. Many times at smaller locations we’ll use a cable modem with ADSL, cellular or Starlink as a secondary circuit.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Managed SD-WAN offers a compelling solution for organizations seeking to simplify network management, enhance performance, and strengthen security. About 80% of my current SD-WAN networks are fully managed as outlined on this page. I specialize in building managed SD-WANs with telco providers that have  National or International reach depending on your need.

By working together, we will carefully determine your company’s needs, set your expectations, budget and preliminary network topology. Only then will I take your network need to market to determine the best, most cost-effective providers for a proposal. As a no-cost addition to your team, I make this process seamless and informational, assuring you unlock the full potential of SD-WAN while focusing on what you do best. I also provide extensive service after the sale that is not available from direct sales personnel.

Explore the rest of this website to learn more about the specific benefits and network designs of various SD-WAN solutions.  Contact the SD-WAN Guru at The Telecom Broker to find out how I can help your organization achieve its business objectives.  

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