June 01, 2021
Simplify the management and operation of your wide area network with SD-WAN
A wide area network (WAN) is a large system of interconnected computers that are not necessarily located in the same place - they can be in different cities or on different continents. WANs are used for communication and sharing of information between the connected devices, so many businesses rely on WANs for their day-to-day functioning. They are an important networking tool that interconnect branch offices to a central server.
While these systems are common, they can be a nightmare to manage and operate as the scale expands. However, these tasks become a lot easier and more efficient when software is used. SEACOM Business offers companies in Africa the potential of transforming their WAN into a software-defined wide area network.
An SD-WAN simplifies the management and operation of other enterprise networking solutions. It does so by using centralised software to control the connections and services between data centres, computers and cloud-based servers. It also makes it easier to deploy and manage the WAN, which has significant cost savings for companies. Some SD-WAN solutions are as easy to set up as household WiFi.
More benefits of our SD-WAN solutions
SD-WAN has the ability to manage multiple connections at the same time. It can also intelligently segment traffic within the WAN and give users secure access to cloud-based applications and programmes. This allows your software defined network to run other legacy networking solutions, with better overall performance.
This streamlined and more cost effective approach to networking will allow a business to operate at higher efficiencies and with more agility. Employees are able to share data, documents and collaborate on projects across a superior network. The software will handle the policy, security and networking functions of the WAN, leaving employees free to focus on other important tasks.
One of SD-WAN’s biggest strengths is its ability to manage multiple internet connections, such as fibre broadband, LTE and 4G. This simplifies the way a multinational corporation can establish new internal links to remote offices from around the world. Data, voice, video and project files can be transferred within the company with greater ease and at a lower cost, no matter what internet connection the individual users have.
Since many global businesses have satellite offices on different continents, the SD-WAN must be able to support virtual private networks (VPNs), third-party services and internal security programmes, such as company firewalls and web gateways. The software does this automatically, which ensures that all users have continuous and seamless access to business-critical data.
Traditional WAN has some limitations
Sometimes, business branches are connected via routers that are not designed for the cloud, but rather server-based applications. This requires backhauling all traffic from offices to a hub or central data centre where the security services can be applied. Obviously, this causes a delay in connectivity and can slow down the performance of applications, which makes the user experience frustrating.
Older networking solutions, such as multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) can negatively impact a company’s productivity and efficiency. Unlike this router-centric WAN architecture, SD-WAN is designed to fully support programmes hosted on the cloud, as well as in traditional data centres and software as a service (SaaS) sites, such as Office 365 and Dropbox.
Why your business needs our SD-WAN
Nowadays, businesses rely on the cloud and SaaS for their daily running. Employees need fast, reliable and secure access to the applications and programmes hosted on these servers. Backhauling traffic slows the entire process down, but a company can remedy this by using an SD-WAN. It reduces costs, saves time and improves productivity, which are three vital factors for success.
SD-WAN provides simplification, bandwidth efficiency and a seamless connection to the cloud without risking security or privacy. Our SD-WAN solutions are guaranteed to improve your business, especially if you have offices in other countries. For more information or to get a quote for SD-WAN, email us at marketing@seacom.com or leave us a message.
SEACOM owns Africa’s most extensive network of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure, including subsea cables and secure internet connections. We offer a diverse range of flexible, scalable and high-quality solutions for businesses that meet world-class standards for connectivity.
SEACOM is privately owned and operated, making it agile and adaptable to the needs of the customer. This makes us the preferred ICT and internet connectivity partner for African businesses and peripheral service providers. We can guarantee high-speed, low-latency and secure internet connections to corporates and small enterprises.
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