IDG study finds SD-WAN as key enabler for working from anywhere
The new normal is changing everything, and for the corporate network, that’s a good thing. Working remotely has triggered an “all hands on deck” modernization of business operations that is naturally spilling over into the network. As the key enabler of video conferencing, cloud applications, digital transactions, and VPNs for remote employees, the IT infrastructure has never been in the spotlight the way it is 2020. With all eyes on the WAN, the challenges of legacy infrastructures are being exposed with a new appreciation for the importance of network upgrades — most notably SD-WAN.
A new IDG Market Pulse research study, sponsored by Masergy, is helping tell this story through data.
And the data story comes with depth and breadth. The 2020 SD-WAN Market Trends survey is the third study in this research series, which dates back to 2017 when SD-WAN was still an emerging technology. The 2020 survey was performed after the global pandemic outbreak, uncovering today’s IT challenges along with the most recent shifts in SD-WAN buying behavior. Key findings identify SD-WAN as a foundational requirement for enabling the remote workforce and addressing critical security concerns that come with it.
Here’s what the study teaches us about IT decision makers from global enterprises across a variety of industries:
- 71% say ensuring business continuity is their top business imperative and digital transformation is just one step behind — ranking at 70%
- 44% are prioritizing the support of their homebound workforce — top areas for IT investment are enabling remote work and digital collaboration tools
- 64% are investing more in network infrastructure now than they did before COVID-19
- SD-WAN adoption continues to rise: This year, 56% said they are piloting, installing, or upgrading SD-WAN installations — in 2017 that number was just 35%
- 91% expressed an interest in services that converge SD-WAN and security — also known as secure access service edge (SASE) solutions
- 66% rank multi-cloud connectivity as the top SD-WAN capability
- 75% use a fully-managed service or a co-managed SD-WAN service, meanwhile while just 25% prefer a do-it-yourself approach
The big takeaway
The findings demonstrate that IT imperatives are being shuffled again in 2020. But, even as business continuity rises to the top of the priority list, digital transformation hasn’t slowed. And, SD-WAN is increasingly being included as part of the transformative effort needed to meet the requirements of today’s new work-from-home normal.
Security and network infrastructure are the top two areas of focus, because these are the investments helping IT leaders securely deliver on business continuity and ensure the efficiency that every remote worker demands. Bringing security and network improvements into one unified strategy is also key, but equally important is having the support of an SD-WAN provider who is versed at security as well as application performance management.
Also interesting to note is that the IDG findings largely echo those of other studies; we’re hearing a consistent message from IT decision makers. A recently released ZK Research survey found that working from anywhere has accelerated the SD-WAN investment timeline for 46% of IT leaders, with 58% stating that SD-WAN makes the transition to remote work easier. Additionally, a Q3 2020 Nemertes Research study shows 74.8% of IT leaders are directing their COVID-19 budget increases toward connectivity, including both internet and WAN services.
But, why is SD-WAN being seen as the go-to tool for working from home? SD-WAN’s transformative power comes from its ability to turn hardware into software and move security to the network edge, where branch offices and remote employees are connecting directly to the internet and to cloud services. SD-WAN helps IT teams maximize reliability for the cloud and video applications that are so critical today, but at the same time it creates a flexible environment that can securely extend remote network access to every employee’s home.
When your network edge has just become equivalent to the number of employees your company has, nothing seems to solve more IT problems than SD-WAN — and you can quote me on that.
Interested in learning more about SD-WAN?
Call us now to arrange a consultation (866) 588-5885.
Or arrange for a consultation through our request form.
How does Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) fit into the SASE paradigm?
CASB serves as of one of SASE’s fundamental purposes. Here’s how it works within a SASE framework to mitigate security risks.
Learn more about How does Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) fit into the SASE paradigm?
SASE from Masergy: Best-of-breed technologies, broad choices, and security that goes beyond SASE
Here’s a look at Masergy’s approach to SASE, the enhancements we have made, and how we’re leaning into network-security convergence.
Masergy Strengthens Its SD-WAN Secure Solution with Deeper SASE Capabilities
Masergy, the software-defined network and cloud platform for the digital enterprise, announced that it is strengthening its SD-WAN Secure solution to offer Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) capabilities
Learn more about Masergy Strengthens Its SD-WAN Secure Solution with Deeper SASE Capabilities
Masergy Receives Frost & Sullivan Technology Innovation Leadership Award for Managed SD-WAN Solution with AIOps
Masergy Named Most Innovative Managed SD-WAN Service Provider by Frost & Sullivan
What lies beyond SASE?
Do SASE solutions reach far enough? Here’s a look at what’s inside the SASE framework today, and where it could go in the future.
The permanency of remote healthcare calls for UCaaS + SD‑WAN + Security
Healthcare IT leaders are reducing the complexity of digital transformation by addressing UC, the network, and security in one unified strategy.
Learn more about The permanency of remote healthcare calls for UCaaS + SD‑WAN + Security
Can I skip SD-WAN and jump straight to SASE?
Want to switch from SD-WAN to SASE midstream? These RFP questions can help you roll your IT modernization project into a larger investment.
Learn more about Can I skip SD-WAN and jump straight to SASE?
The future of the network is autonomous: WFH strategies prepare for self-driving networks
While IT leaders are enabling the remote workforce, they are also building an autonomous network. Leverage your investments today for innovation tomorrow.
What are the benefits of SASE?
Why do businesses need SASE and more importantly does it help with work from home? Here’s how SASE solutions deliver real value.
Masergy Launches SD-WAN Work From Anywhere Solutions
Masergy Launches SD-WAN Work From Anywhere Solutions, which extend the value of Masergy SD-WAN Secure to Home and Mobile Users
Learn more about Masergy Launches SD-WAN Work From Anywhere Solutions
How do you tease out the differences in SASE solutions? Tech stacks set providers apart
Planning a move toward SASE? Here are three ways to make apples-to-apples comparisons, teasing out the differences in solutions.
SASE from Fortinet & Masergy: Converging best-of-breed network and security solutions recognized by Gartner
SASE is consolidating best-of-breed technologies into one cloud service, and it’s here where the Masergy-Fortinet offering stands above the rest.
Is there more than one way to SASE? Cloud separates two strategies, schools of thought
Are firewalls becoming a dividing line between SASE strategies? Why some IT leaders choose a cloud-managed approach over a cloud-native one.
Is SASE real or just a concept?
When it comes to SASE validity, there are lots of opinions. Here’s a look from all sides and tips for how to evaluate SASE architecture.
Masergy Named Most Innovative Managed SD-WAN Service Provider by Frost & Sullivan
Learn more about Masergy Named Most Innovative Managed SD-WAN Service Provider by Frost & Sullivan
Masergy Announces Zenith Partner of the Year Awards
Learn more about Masergy Announces Zenith Partner of the Year Awards
Co-managed SD-WAN: IT decision makers are leaning in but how do you get the best of both worlds?
What’s the difference between a fully managed SD-WAN service and a co-managed service? Here’s how to get the best out of shared responsibilities.
Why are there so many different interpretations of SASE?
Ask people what SASE is and you’ll likely get 10 answers. While the newness of SASE is a factor in the confusion, here’s what SASE is and what it’s not.
Learn more about Why are there so many different interpretations of SASE?
Masergy SD-WAN wins Leading Lights 2020 Award for Most Innovative SD-WAN Service
Learn more about Masergy SD-WAN wins Leading Lights 2020 Award for Most Innovative SD-WAN Service
Masergy releases 2020 SD-WAN Market Trends Report
Learn more about Masergy releases 2020 SD-WAN Market Trends Report
The business case for Masergy’s new SD-WAN Secure solutions
Masergy’s new SD-WAN portfolio gives companies of every size unrivaled application performance along with more flexibility and choice.
Learn more about The business case for Masergy’s new SD-WAN Secure solutions
Masergy launches new Partner Program for accelerated SD-WAN market
Learn more about Masergy launches new Partner Program for accelerated SD-WAN market
Masergy launches SD-WAN enhancements: More options and trailblazing SLAs meet the needs of any transforming business
Masergy expands its SD-WAN portfolio offering the broadest choice, flexibility, and built-in SASE
Masergy announces the SD‑WAN industry’s most competitive Service Level Agreements
Learn more about Masergy announces the SD‑WAN industry’s most competitive Service Level Agreements
Work-from-Anywhere Study: ZK Research webinar explores IT trends and SD-WAN urgency
ZK Research data shows IT spending is up, and the value of the network has increased. Don’t miss the latest SD-WAN strategies in this online event.
Learn more about Work-from-Anywhere Study: ZK Research webinar explores IT trends and SD-WAN urgency
Oldcastle infrastructure selects Masergy SD-WAN to build high-availability network for digital transformation
SD-orchestration: SD-WAN and application performance management
SD-WAN has redefined network management, and how you deploy it can impact success. Get the six elements of SD-orchestration and key considerations.
Learn more about SD-orchestration: SD-WAN and application performance management
WAN automation: Why SD‑WAN is only step one and what’s needed to reach full autonomy
Networks are on their way to becoming “self-driving.” Understand the current state of networking automation and what’s needed to reach full autonomy.
Elements of SD-WAN & SASE platforms: Differentiators, characteristics and the hidden secret
SD-WAN solutions are now platforms, but what does that mean? Moreover, what differentiates platforms from solution sets? Here’s the hidden secret.
5G and fixed wireless: Where does it fit in your SD-WAN connectivity strategy?
With SD-WAN’s many connectivity options, when do you deploy 4G and 5G links and when should you avoid them? Here’s how Masergy advises its clients.
Learn more about 5G and fixed wireless: Where does it fit in your SD-WAN connectivity strategy?
COVID-19 is changing how IT thinks about MPLS: What networks and leaders need now
The idea of converting all your private network connections into public ones is being challenged. Attitudes are shifting. Here’s what it shows us.
Learn more about COVID-19 is changing how IT thinks about MPLS: What networks and leaders need now
What digital transformation looks like now: Omdia webinar has the outlook for Europe
Research from European enterprises surveyed as the pandemic lockdown began helps IT leaders identify new trends and what businesses need now.
Extending secure SD-WAN to secure SD-Branch: The convergence of WAN and LAN at the edge
SD-WAN is giving way for terms like SD-Branch. Understand the benefits and how SD-Branch is addressing security challenges at the network edge.
Network security and automation: Why you need user identity analytics now
Here’s a guide to understanding the value of user identity analytics and why these details are increasingly important for security today and network automation tomorrow.
Learn more about Network security and automation: Why you need user identity analytics now
Advancing SD-WAN security and control, Masergy introduces identity-based WAN analytics
SD-WAN management portals typically track only IP traffic for entire sites, but Masergy’s SD-WAN gives you per-user analytics as a standard offering.
The autonomous enterprise: Building your digital vision
Masergy's CTO, Chris MacFarland, teaches you how to reach the milestone of true autonomy. This article originally appeared in Forbes.
Learn more about The autonomous enterprise: Building your digital vision
The impact of COVID-19 on corporate networks: VPN connections skyrocket, increasing by 676%
See how Masergy’s network is changing in light of Coronavirus. Get tips for fast VPNs and understand shifts in digital transformation priorities.
COVID-19: Prioritizing health & safety
Learn how Masergy is acting with urgency to protect employees, clients, and business continuity. We explain how Masergy helps clients respond and how he virtualized the company.
Masergy wins Stevie® award for Sales & Customer Service
Learn more about Masergy wins Stevie® award for Sales & Customer Service
20 things you didn’t know about Masergy
With 20 years of history, Masergy is full of fun factoids. Explore the pioneering moments, pivotal transformations, and tales from the startup days.
4-time Visionary: Gartner positions Masergy as Visionary in 2020 Magic Quadrant for Network Services, Global
Get a free copy of Gartner's report. Learn how Masergy pioneered software-defined networks and is building the autonomous networks of tomorrow.
How SD-WAN is converging network, security and AI
Many technologies are uniting under SD-WAN. Learn what’s changed and why new additions are starting to look like autonomous networking.
Learn more about How SD-WAN is converging network, security and AI
Masergy celebrates 20 years of success marked by service excellence and early SD-WAN innovation
Masergy’s biggest innovation milestones
2020 marks Masergy’s 20th anniversary. The celebration starts with our top innovation landmarks and where we’re going next.
Small beginnings, big impact: Terry Traina reflects on Masergy’s legacy
In celebration of Masergy’s 20th anniversary, we’re honoring our greatest leaders and key players. Here’s the story of Terry Traina, Masergy’s Chief Digital Officer.
Learn more about Small beginnings, big impact: Terry Traina reflects on Masergy’s legacy
Scrappy startup delivers leading network performance: Mark McCann explains Masergy’s early innovation
Masergy AIOps wins 2020 BIG Innovation award
Learn more about Masergy AIOps wins 2020 BIG Innovation award
Harnessing the power of AIOps: Paving the way to autonomous networking
AIOps puts a virtual network engineer on your team, but it’s also paving the way for autonomous networking. Get the requirements and four next steps.
Learn more about Harnessing the power of AIOps: Paving the way to autonomous networking
Fortinet & Masergy: The security-driven approach to SD-WAN
Here’s a fully managed SD-WAN solution that helps organizations truly transform the WAN edge with a security-driven approach.
Learn more about Fortinet & Masergy: The security-driven approach to SD-WAN
Shadow IT: Getting the visibility you need
Think you only have 30-40 apps running on your network? It’s probably more like 900+. Here’s a quick guide to handling the blind spots of shadow IT.
Masergy launches industry’s first integrated SD-WAN Shadow IT Discovery solution
Learn more about Masergy launches industry’s first integrated SD-WAN Shadow IT Discovery solution