Best SD-WAN Solutions

What are SD-WAN Solutions?

What are the Benefits of SD-WAN Solutions?

Who Uses SD-WAN Solutions?

What are the Alternatives to SD-WAN Solutions?

The following software is an alternative to SD-WAN that can replace this type of software, either partially or completely:

Virtual private network (VPN) software: A VPN is an encrypted server that ensures the safe transmission of data over the internet from a device to a network. It prevents unauthorized access and allows remote users to work securely. It enables employees to connect to the office network and view data on their devices while working remotely. It is a helpful tool to keep confidential information safe off-site.

Challenges with SD-WAN Solutions

While SD-WANs provide numerous advantages to businesses worldwide, they pose certain challenges, as listed below, which organizations must weigh before adopting this technology:

Technical issues: By default, routers are designed to function without updates. However, SD-WAN routers require timely software updates, without which there may be instances of failure to work. This is a potential challenge in working with routers configured with SD-WAN architecture.

Lack of the right skill sets: SD-WAN offers a fresh approach to WAN management and requires proper training for IT teams to ensure the smooth functioning of the system. This can be expensive for organizations with a low budget as IT departments need to allocate sufficient resources to train the technical teams on SD-WAN technology.

Security: Though SD-WAN technology provides a layer of security, there is no denying that WANs represent certain security challenges as they are outward-facing and depend on transport outside the corporate firewall. SD-WAN technology lacks onsite security features, a data leak in one machine can adversely impact the whole organization.

​​Complexity: Most companies looking to deploy an SD-WAN solution usually have WAN infrastructure in place. The SD-WAN will be an overlay in addition to the existing WAN infrastructure, which is the underlay. Re-architecting the WAN connections to enable smooth migration of applications to the SD-WAN increases complexities for the organization.

How to Buy SD-WAN Solutions

Requirements Gathering (RFI/RFP) for SD-WAN Solutions

Whether a company is looking to purchase its first SD-WAN solution or upgrade to new WAN architecture—wherever a business is in its buying process, g2.com can help select the best SD-WAN solution.

Choosing and deploying an SD-WAN solution can be a significant initiative for the organization, especially when multiple branch offices are located at diverse physical locations. A company can address various problems by migrating from a traditional WAN deployment to a software-defined WAN. An organization can evaluate the right software fit after determining the business goals it is trying to achieve by implementing this solution. 

Most importantly, an organization must determine whether it wants a do-it-yourself (DIY) solution or the SD-WAN service from a managed service provider (MSP). While organizations can purchase and deploy SD-WAN software from scratch to the end independently (DIY), they can also buy it as a managed service. Purchasing the service from an MSP helps save the time required for managing many of the minor tasks essential for supporting the service. Depending on the scope of the deployment, it might be helpful to produce an RFI, a one-page list with a few bullet points describing what is needed from the platform to have a successful deployment.

Compare SD-WAN Software Products

Create a long list

Vendor evaluations are essential to the software buying process, from meeting the business functionality needs to implementation. Long lists are created by eliminating the options that do not align with the organization’s strategy. It is essential to put together a consistent list of questions to ask potential vendors keeping in mind the following considerations:

• Business requirements: The organization must determine the purpose behind implementing SD-WAN architecture. For instance, if the organization wants to enhance the performance of various applications running on the corporate network, it must opt for SD-WAN vendors whose core strength lies in WAN optimization. If they are looking to tighten application and network security, vendor evaluation should be based on how security infrastructure is handled. Some vendors offer SD-WAN solutions with built-in security features, while others may not specifically address the organization’s security concerns with their product. So the buyer should select an offering that prioritizes security. If the concern is around deploying SD-WAN at multiple branch office locations within a limited period, they may opt for the services from an MSP. 
• Integration with the existing framework: Organizations expanding their operations through mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are required to rapidly integrate their new branch offices across diverse locations with the existing corporate WAN. Such organizations should look for a solution that enables such integrations faster than traditional VPN technologies while also comparing the cost implications of such solutions.
• Bandwidth requirements and traffic prioritization: Balancing WAN traffic load is a crucial functionality of SD-WAN solutions. An important consideration while selecting the right solution is the organization’s WAN bandwidth requirement and how it will change in the future. In a fully managed service, buyers should look for SD-WAN service providers who ensure effective bandwidth management and prioritize traffic for each site and application through a single management pane. 

Create a short list

From the long list of vendors, buyers should read user reviews, view ratings on the G2 Grid® for the SD-WAN category, read useability ratings, and shorten the list of vendors in the G2 “My List” down to a handful. With this list, businesses can compare the functionalities offered by different vendors and the pricing structure of various solutions.

Conduct demos

Demos provide an opportunity to buyers to see how the SD-WAN solution works. While pre-recorded demonstrations and tutorials are available on the product webpage, it is lucrative to request the vendor for a live demo of the SD-WAN architecture to dive deep into their technical capabilities. 

Additionally, mapping out a draft deployment plan or proof of concept (PoC) is highly recommended before selecting a product as it provides a roadmap for subsequent activities and defines the resources required in each phase. A PoC should prove (or disprove) whether the technology matches the organization’s requirements. 

Selection of SD-WAN Solutions

Choose a selection team

Before getting started, creating a winning team that will work together throughout the entire process, from identifying pain points to implementation, is crucial. The software selection team should consist of organization members with the proper interest, skills, and time to participate in this process. A good starting point is to aim for three to five people who fill the required roles. This can include the primary decision maker, process owner, system owner or staffing subject matter expert, technical lead, and the network or security administrator. In smaller companies, the vendor selection team may not be that big, with fewer participants that multitask and take on more responsibilities.

The selection team should compare notes, facts, and figures they recorded during the process, such as the availability of advanced capabilities, usability, and security features.

Negotiation

It is imperative to open up a conversation regarding pricing and licensing. For example, the vendor may be willing to provide a discount for multi-year contracts or to recommend the solution to others.

Final decision

After this stage, and before settling for the SD-WAN solution, it is recommended to roll out a test run or pilot program to test adoption with a small sample size of users. If the solution is well used and received, the buying organization can be confident that the selection is correct. If not, it might be time to re-evaluate offerings from other vendors.

How Much Do SD-WAN Solutions Cost?

SD-WAN providers broadly offer a mix of the following two pricing models: 

• An advance purchase plan for SD-WAN hardware that cuts down subscription fees
• A subscription-based model that distributes the cost throughout a multi-year contract

Depending on the customer's preference, SD-WAN vendors can offer both solutions. 

Additionally, the cost of the solution also depends on whether the organization chooses a DIY SD-WAN or opts for the services of an MSP. DIY SD-WAN implementation incurs capital expenditures, licensing costs, and continuous maintenance costs. Additionally, the organization must purchase multiple WAN connections for each branch location. On the other hand, many SD-WAN providers offer managed or co-managed services. A managed service allows the organization to shift from capital expenditure (CAPEX) to operating expense (OPEX). It involves a subscription-based model, and the organization can predict future costs associated with the deployment.

SD-WAN Solutions Trends

Adoption of SASE architectures

A trend likely to gain more visibility in the near future is the integration of SD-WAN with secure access service edge (SASE) technology. SASE combines networking (such as software-defined networking (SDN) and SD-WAN) and security features to build a highly secure, high-performing, and resilient network architecture. SD-WAN, combined with services like SASE or zero-trust network access (ZTNA), is making headway as a secure remote access solution. Adoption of SASE has snowballed recently and is expected to keep growing as network security and agility become paramount. 

Rise of managed services

Deployment of SD-WAN demands the right skillset on the part of the technical team to set up and maintain the architecture. The team should be able to integrate and maintain all the branch offices, data centers, and various cloud deployments within a single SD-WAN architecture. Additionally, they should be able to quickly troubleshoot SD-WAN whenever there is a glitch.

However, if the organization opts for managed SD-WAN service or SD-WAN-as-a-Service, the provider deploys, configures, updates, manages, and maintains the entire SD-WAN network. Managed SD-WAN services are on the rise for businesses willing to work with an outsourced MSP and those who want to free up their technical team to focus on other business-critical operations.