Revolutionizing Corporate Networks: How SD-WAN Is Changing the Game

Posted September 5, 2023

Imagine you’re the IT director of a mid-sized manufacturing, industrial, or logistics company — or maybe you don’t have to imagine. Your organization has grown rapidly over the past few years, and your IT infrastructure is starting to show signs of strain. Your factories and warehouses across the region are connected by a tangled web of routers and switches, and keeping everything running smoothly is becoming a battle. In some areas, Internet connectivity is spotty, network congestion is rampant, and security threats lurk around every corner. You know something needs to change, but where do you start?

That’s where Jane comes in. As the IT director of a similar company, she’s facing the same challenges you are. But she’s found a solution that could revolutionize her organization’s IT infrastructure: SD-WAN. Let’s follow Jane as she navigates the ins and outs of SD-WAN, from evaluation to implementation, and see how it helps her organization overcome growing pains.

Evaluating SD-WAN: A Journey to Simplified Network Architecture

Jane, the IT director of a mid-sized manufacturing and logistics company, was constantly struggling to manage a complex network infrastructure spanning multiple factories and warehouses nationwide. Security breaches and complaints about slow connectivity had unfortunately become the norm. While browsing tech articles, she encountered Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) and its promises of simplified network architecture, improved agility, and lower costs. However, always skeptical, she was hesitant to believe the hype.

At a team meeting, Jane shared her concerns, and many colleagues echoed her uncertainty. They couldn’t afford to invest in unproven technologies. Agreeing to investigate SD-WAN further, they conducted thorough research and decided to run a proof-of-concept. They chose three representative branch offices with varied network loads and characteristics, installing virtual routers connected via SD-WAN.

Simulations tested the platform under different conditions, such as network congestion and packet loss. End-user feedback was gathered through surveys, assessing SD-WAN’s impact on daily operations. Jane’s team compared various vendors, evaluating cost-benefit ratios. As tests ran simultaneously, Jane crafted policies and templates within SD-WAN platforms, minimizing errors and streamlining expansion. Integrated monitoring systems tracked network behavior and alerted the team to potential issues.

One month later, analyzing data from both conventional networks and SD-WAN trials, Jane found that SD-WAN exceeded expectations. Centralized control, automation, and impressive results regarding latency, uptime, and user satisfaction made a compelling case for adopting SD-WAN across all branches.

Implementing SD-WAN: Overcoming Resistance and Embracing Change

It’s time to implement SD-WAN across all branches. While Jane’s team is excited about the possibilities, not everyone shares their enthusiasm. Some employees are resistant to change, fearing SD-WAN might jeopardize their jobs or create more work. To address these concerns, Jane schedules a series of town hall meetings and departmental presentations, explaining SD-WAN’s benefits and clarifying misconceptions. She highlights how it will simplify network management, reduce downtime, and increase productivity—ultimately making everyone’s job easier.

To ensure a seamless transition, Jane and her team develop Phase Zero, a comprehensive training program providing hands-on experience with SD-WAN technology. They also establish an adoption framework focusing on people, processes, and technology. This includes collaborative workshops, interactive demos, and online resources. Employees learn how to configure and monitor SD-WAN devices, troubleshoot common issues, and leverage new features to enhance their workflows. Super users act as local champions, offering support and guidance to their peers.

During deployment, Jane’s team faced unexpected hardware compatibility issues. They quickly form a cross-functional task force to address these problems and prevent future setbacks. Together, they design custom solutions, upgrade hardware, and integrate legacy equipment. Through collaboration and tenacity, they overcome hurdles, ensuring successful deployment across all sites.

As SD-WAN goes live, Jane’s team monitors performance closely. They analyze data and gather end-user feedback, refining configurations and optimizing policies to maximize efficiency and reliability. With employees now able to access centralized apps and services without interruptions, remote worker productivity soars. IT staff can focus on higher-level tasks; they no longer spend long hours troubleshooting network problems. An atmosphere of empowerment and cooperation takes hold as teams collaborate and thrive in their new SD-WAN environment.

Lessons Learned and Future Considerations

Jane’s implementation of SD-WAN brought numerous lessons, both expected and surprising. One important realization was the need for thorough preparation and buy-in from all stakeholders, including employees, management, and vendors. Jane’s team invested considerable time in educating everyone involved, which helped mitigate resistance and ensure a smoother transition.

Another key takeaway was the importance of scalability and flexibility in SD-WAN solution selection. The initial pilot revealed limitations in the selected vendor’s offerings, forcing Jane’s team to switch vendors mid-deployment. Despite the setback, they adapted and successfully integrated the new solution. This experience underscored the significance of selecting a future-proof SD-WAN provider capable of meeting evolving business needs.

The SD-WAN rollout also exposed hidden issues within the company’s existing network infrastructure. Inadequate cabling and outdated hardware hindered SD-WAN performance, revealing the need for parallel upgrades. Addressing these deficiencies allowed Jane’s team to fully capitalize on SD-WAN’s benefits. It also taught them the value of conducting comprehensive assessments before implementing significant changes to the network landscape.

Looking ahead, Jane’s team plans to expand their use of SD-WAN by integrating it with other emerging technologies. They intend to explore the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning in network analytics, as well as the adoption of software-defined networking principles across the entire organization. These advancements will enable further optimization, increased security, and even better user experiences.

From Implementation to Innovation: The Power of SD-WAN

Jane’s journey to implement SD-WAN across her company’s distributed infrastructure presented several challenges, but through careful planning, collaboration, and adaptability, she overcame them. Her team’s efforts improved network performance, reduced costs, and laid the groundwork for future innovation.

This case study demonstrates the potential of SD-WAN to transform enterprise networks, enabling organizations to respond faster to changing market conditions and employee needs. By leveraging the power of software-defined networking, companies can increase agility, streamline operations, and deliver superior user experiences.

Implementing SD-WAN requires a considered approach, however. Organizations must carefully evaluate their current infrastructure, assess vendor options, and develop comprehensive migration strategies. They must also commit to ongoing monitoring and management to optimize performance and maintain stability.

Ultimately, SD-WAN represents a critical step forward in network evolution, empowering organizations to be more responsive, resilient, and efficient. As the digital landscape continues to shift, SD-WAN will play an increasingly vital role in supporting the dynamic, globally connected enterprises of tomorrow. Contact us to start your journey.

Kevin Willette

Kevin Willette is Partner / CEO of Verus Corp. His focus is ensuring complete customer satisfaction and providing as much or as little support as is needed for the individual client. Kevin knows that plenty of places do IT services, but what sets Verus Corp apart is the local feeling and the commitment to doing things right the first time. He has always wanted to be a business owner because it affords him the opportunity to offer a service that was better than anything clients had seen before. His true goal is to help customers make their businesses better by removing potential IT barriers. Kevin served as chair for Habitat for Humanity during his time at Minnesota State University, Mankato. He has also served on the WatchGuard Advisory Council since 2016. Kevin’s work with Verus Corp has helped them achieve awards as the WatchGuard Partner of the Year and Cisco Select Partner. Kevin graduated from Minnesota State in 2000 with a major in Business Marketing and minors in Business Administration and Music.