SD-WAN Solutions
Reliable, cost-effective, and secure cloud networking
What is SD-WAN?
Benefits
Our approach
SD-WAN solutions
Partnerships
Case studies
Amplifying networks with SD-WAN solutions
The future of networking is evolving. Whether businesses are scaling up and adding locations or modifying to support mobile workforces, they are turning to the Cloud more than ever. Today’s companies must be able to handle bandwidth-intensive communication and provide access to business-specific applications, all while combating cyber criminals.
Outdated networks are not only creating a multitude of headaches for IT teams but also becoming more costly to maintain. These factors drive organizations to look closely at their wide area networks (WAN).
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Aging infrastructure hurts the bottom line.
Companies relying on MPLS networks are stuck with high-latency/low-performance cloud applications, meaning remote users must settle for less from VoIP and other real-time applications. Moreover, security and management requirements associated with MPLS tend to complicate branch operations and increase IT staffing costs.
But SD-WAN from CBTS simplifies network operations, allowing busy IT managers to deploy Internet-based connectivity quickly and securely.
SD-WAN
What is SD-WAN?
Software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) shifts the burden of data flow from hard-line MPLS networks to the Cloud. SD-WAN architecture puts the control of a wide area network (WAN) for a company and its branches from an onsite data center and hardware onto cloud-based software.
By implementing SD-WAN, organizations have better control of connectivity, data management, and the flow of information from headquarters to company branches and remote workers. This solution provides the manageability, application performance, reliability, and security today’s fast-moving enterprises expect.
BENEFITS
Benefits of SD-WAN
SD-WAN =
fast & stable
Stay competitive in today’s high-speed cloud networking environment.
Dependable connectivity
Optimize network paths and provide multiple transport options with built-in redundancy to improve network speed and minimize downtime.
Increased visibility
Comprehensive network monitoring with real-time insights into traffic, app performance, and user behavior.
Security
Built-in SASE architecture enables comprehensive security via firewall policies, encryption, and threat detection. Consolidation in a unified framework improves visibility and ensures consistent network security.
Cost efficiency
Brings a more predictable cost structure from variable CapEx to standard OpEx monthly fees.
Flexible deployment
Deployment over any transport service combination—MPLS, LTE, and broadband—allowing users to connect to high-bandwidth applications simultaneously and securely.
Integrations
Support a range of cloud platforms, including Microsoft Azure and Amazon AWS and services like UCaaS.
%
annual growth of SD-WAN deployments through 2024, with managed SD-WAN deployments reaching at least 60% of enterprise locations.
OUR APPROACH
Why CBTS?
Consistently recognized as a leading technology innovator, CBTS helps companies of all sizes by developing cloud migration strategies that address their overarching corporate goals and individual business line needs.
CBTS enables organizations to take full advantage of technology through our thorough assessments, thoughtful design and deployment, and ongoing monitoring and management across locations. We empower organizations of all sizes in their digital migration with a full suite of flexible technology solutions that drive business outcomes, improve operational efficiency, mitigate risk, and reduce costs for clients.
Assess and guide
CBTS runs an initial assessment to determine the best technology, platforms, and approaches to apply to your unique business needs. Our project managers then guide your team through each phase of the process.
Build and execute
CBTS provides a wide range of integrated and extended networking and security capabilities, including service-chaining and layering on SASE to help prevent data loss, downtime, regulatory violations, and legal liabilities.
Implement and deploy
Ease the IT burden by using broadband to offload non-critical business apps, automate monitoring tasks, and manage traffic through a centralized controller.
Reduce packet loss and latency issues with reliable, high-performance connections.
Co-manage and monitor
Co-manage the network environment or monitor, maintain, and update the environment as necessary to free up your IT personnel and resources to focus on strategic initiatives and innovation.
The next-generation network incorporates the secure access service edge (SASE) framework, which seamlessly integrates SD-WAN and security features into a unified cloud service. This innovative architecture offers simplified WAN deployments, enhanced efficiency and security, and the ability to implement application-specific bandwidth policies.
“Whether we’re talking about a secure cloud for your SD-WAN domain, a data center if you’ve got inbound traffic, or your mobile workforce, organizations are beginning to work with SD-WAN solution providers to integrate a full suite of security services. We’re bringing a robust environment to support a data center, branch, cloud, or mobile workforce.”
– Matt Douglass, Senior Director of Solution Engineering
SD-WAN SOLUTIONS
The future of branch networking solutions
Many SD-WAN solutions available today are considered elemental or “just good enough.” These solutions often need more intelligence, reliability, performance, and scalability to deliver an exceptional network experience. CBTS provides comprehensive end-to-end orchestration of WAN edge functions.
CBTS offers SASE solutions integrating SD-WAN with security service edge (SSE) principles for remote and branch operations. In addition, CBTS provides:
- Edge intelligence.
- Visibility of end-user and IoT devices.
- Ever-improving performance and security.
- Self-healing across wired and wireless networks.
Building an SD-WAN architecture
Identifying the right partner for your managed software-defined wide area network solution is crucial for organizations looking to build a network architecture that can support high-level business imperatives. Providers should have expertise in smoothly transforming a legacy MPLS network into a cloud-powered hybrid or SD-WAN architecture, regardless of industry.
Dig deeper
E-book
Six critical questions to ask prospective SD-WAN providers
SD-WAN, SASE, and NaaS: Tackling common network challenges
E-book
SD-WAN: The road to SASE
PARTNERSHIPS
Long-standing strategic partnerships with industry leaders
VMware VeloCloud SD-WAN is a powerful solution that leverages software-defined networking principles to optimize network performance, enhance security, and simplify network management across distributed enterprise environments.
Prisma SD-WAN is a robust solution that combines networking and security capabilities to deliver secure, high-performance connectivity across distributed networks.
Case studies
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Staffmark Group is a family of staffing and recruiting companies with a network of more than 400 offices and 1,300 internal employees. Each year, the company places more than 170,000 temporary and contract employees in jobs with companies across the United States.
With over 400 offices throughout the U.S., a reliable, always-on network is imperative to Staffmark Group as they work to
deliver a high level of service to their clients in a growing digital recruiting environment.
In addition, after several recent company mergers, their IT team identified several network switches in multiple offices that needed to be updated to keep them online. Staffmark Group also had four different WAN solutions that could be
consolidated to achieve better efficiencies.
CBTS solution
As a strategic IT provider to Staffmark Group for over five years, CBTS assessed their network environment and recommended they simplify with the consolidation of their four SD-WAN solutions with a VMware VeloCloud SD-WAN solution. In addition, CBTS recommended they upgrade the outdated switches in their offices with Cisco ECS switches to build resiliency.
CBTS then assisted Staffmark Group with the implementation of the new SD-WAN solution and replacement of the outdated switches. Additionally, CBTS was selected as their managed services provider, monitoring the company’s network environment across their entire MPLS network and freeing up their IT team to focus on day-to-day business objectives.
Outcome
Staffmark Group’s investment in new hardware is a significant step towards ensuring the company’s technology infrastructure is up-to-date and capable of meeting the demands of today’s business environment. The staffing company continues to enjoy a streamlined network connection and faster speeds from the managed network and should see even greater efficiencies as the new hardware takes full effect. Today, CBTS 24x7x365 support and managed services frees up IT to work on mission-critical projects.
Our client is a nonprofit university-based healthcare system in the Midwest that operates 17 hospitals and employs nearly 30,000 people. It is recognized as the largest and most comprehensive healthcare system in its state.
Problem
Knowing they would be on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19 when it began impacting its communities, our client turned to CBTS to implement a VMware VeloCloud SD-WAN solution to meet its increasing network bandwidth needs for community pop-up clinics.
CBTS solution
CBTS assessed the client’s network needs. Then, our team implemented an SD-WAN solution that includes proprietary capabilities to enhance collaboration tools and cloud applications over Internet transport while providing direct and secure access to primary data centers. With the SD-WAN in place, the client could prioritize mission-critical data or voice traffic and deliver reliable application performance even over unreliable Internet conditions at its pop-up clinics.
By implementing the VMware VeloCloud SD-WAN, CBTS was able to take the guesswork out of interconnecting the pop-up clinic and allowed the client to focus on treating its patients first and foremost.
Outcome
The synergistic and forward-thinking partnership between CBTS and the client led to the rapid deployment of a pop-up clinic in a single day.
National Money Mart Company is an alternative financial services (AFS) company. They serve more than 2 million customers in over 550 retail locations through their robust online and mobile platforms.
Problem
VPN architecture made managing the client’s multinational network difficult and limited visibility into the network and data flow.
CBTS solution
CBTS determined that implementing Cisco Meraki NaaS and VMware VeloCloud SD-WAN was a more manageable platform for the client. With these networking services as a managed solution, Money Mart benefits from a fixed and predictable operational expense. And VMware VeloCloud’s enterprise-grade SD-WAN provides increased bandwidth, high-performance access to the Cloud, and extensive network visibility.
CBTS expert engineers proactively manage and monitor the network 24x7x365.
Outcome
“VMware VeloCloud SD-WAN allowed us to create a reliable network over disparate connections and ultimately hold our carriers responsible for meeting SLAs… [CBTS’] expertise in SD-WAN and their attention to detail during the project management phase allowed us to be non-intrusive to our retail stores while transforming our network.” – Krishna Chava, Director of Network and Telecom, National Money Mart Company
Aligning SD-WAN solutions with business objectives
As applications migrate to the Cloud, so will network functions. By moving these operations to the Cloud, businesses gain upgraded visibility and analytical insight while no longer having to manage their communications infrastructures at the local level. From there, mission-critical applications can be layered into the cloud-delivered network. SD-WAN drives bottom-line outcomes by giving customers an improved experience when accessing these applications.
SD-WAN solutions reduce costly routing and hardware expenses while allowing businesses to access multiple cloud services.
FAQs
Top 5 questions
Why do I need SD-WAN?
SD-WAN provides enhanced manageability, improved performance, and greater reliability for today’s fast-moving enterprises. With centralized control and management, intelligent traffic routing, and built-in redundancy and security features, SD-WAN simplifies network operations and ensures high availability, enabling businesses to thrive.
What is the SD-WAN edge?
It serves as the entry point to the SD-WAN network and acts as a bridge between the local area network (LAN) and the wide area network (WAN). The SD-WAN edge is a critical component of an SD-WAN deployment. SD-WAN connection endpoints—branches, data centers, cloud platforms, corporate offices, at-home computers, and IoT devices—are called the SD-WAN edge.
What is SASE?
SASE combines SD-WAN and SSE into a unified cloud framework. Organizations ensure secure networks for remote and branch operations by integrating SD-WAN technology with SSE principles.
Will I lose control over my network?
CBTS partners closely with clients to deliver a collaborative SD-WAN environment combining the strengths and expertise of both organizations to achieve the client’s long-term goals.
What should I look for in an SD-WAN partner?
Look for a qualified and trusted partner with proven experience migrating legacy MPLS networking to a cloud-enabled SD-WAN environment while giving your organization greater flexibility and better control and security for your network.
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Talk to one of our experts today to see how we can help your organization adopt reliable and secure SD-WAN architecture.