In today’s fast-paced business landscape, the network has transformed from a non-differentiated tactical resource to a strategic asset. Gone are the days when it received minimal attention from business leaders. Recognizing this paradigm shift, organizations like Providence have started prioritizing network improvement to enhance application experience, business agility, and overall operational efficiency.
The Stagnant State of the Network
For far too long, the network, particularly the Wide Area Network (WAN), has remained stagnant, lagging behind other technological advancements. Despite the rapid evolution witnessed in other areas, the WAN infrastructure has seen little change in the past three decades. This lack of innovation has thwarted businesses’ ability to cater to growing demands and evolving market needs.
Providence’s Actions towards Network Improvement
Cognizant of the need for a network transformation, Providence took proactive measures to revamp its network infrastructure. One crucial step was consolidation, adopting a single routing design across the enterprise and standardizing on a single routing platform. This move allowed for simplification, streamlining operations, and facilitating efficient management.
However, selecting a single national carrier posed a challenge for Providence. The reliance on subcontracted services often led to finger-pointing in the case of any network issues. To mitigate this risk, Providence diligently evaluated potential carriers, aiming to establish a partnership committed to delivering reliable and high-performance services.
Prioritizing Application Experience and Business Agility
Providence’s primary objective was to improve application experiences while enabling the business to rapidly adapt to new opportunities and demands. Understanding that legacy network infrastructure could no longer support these goals, Providence recognized the need for a comprehensive solution that could address their evolving requirements.
The Selection of an SD-WAN Solution
After a rigorous testing process, Providence chose Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) as the ideal solution to meet their needs. They identified SD-WAN’s ability to provide dynamic circuit remediation, transport abstraction, simplified management, and standardized configuration as crucial features for seamless network operations. Among various SD-WAN vendors, VMware emerged as the preferred choice for Providence.
Overcoming Initial Challenges in the Transition
Although the shift to SD-WAN presented initial challenges, Providence surprised its executives with a seamless failover that had no perceptible impact. This successful transition demonstrated the effectiveness of their SD-WAN implementation, boosting confidence in the new network architecture.
Benefits of the SD-WAN Implementation
Providence’s adoption of SD-WAN offered numerous benefits beyond the initial transition. With enhanced telemetry capabilities, Providence gained the ability to hold carriers accountable and proactively identify and address circuit performance issues. This newfound visibility empowered Providence to optimize network performance, improve application experiences, and ensure business continuity.
The journey undertaken by Providence to embrace the transformative power of SD-WAN serves as a testament to the importance of rethinking traditional WAN operations. As networks evolve into strategic assets, businesses must break away from the status quo and embrace innovative solutions that offer improved application experiences, business agility, and overall operational efficiency. By prioritizing network transformation, enterprises can unlock their full potential, paving the way for future growth and success in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.