Companies that operate across multiple countries are increasingly using managed SD-WAN (software-defined wide area network) solutions. These systems, defined by connecting business applications through the internet, are effectively addressing many of the challenges that come with navigating today’s digital landscape.
This blog will explore the benefits of SD-WAN management for international businesses, explaining how it can benefit performance, overheads, flexibility and so much more.
Core benefits of global SD-WAN managed services
Global managed SD-WAN solutions offer profound benefits for all sorts of businesses, being especially beneficial for companies that operate across geographical boundaries.
Improved technological performance
International SD-WAN services intelligently route inter-business traffic across multiple, disparate WAN connections based on the requirements of each application. This helps to support the performance of essential business applications, such as VoIP, video conference calls (Zoom/Microsoft Teams) and cloud-based software tools.
Reduced costs & enhanced ROI
MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) networks operate within private infrastructure when routing data, which can be quite expensive and not particularly cost-effective. Managed SD-WAN solutions utilise links through broadband and LTE systems, allowing for reductions in operational costs.
Increased flexibility & agility
Global SD-WAN tools are designed to significantly simplify network provisioning and management, allowing businesses to quickly release new sites or SaaS tools. These days, businesses need to be nimble to effectively adapt to their changing business needs, and SD-WAN solutions effectively offer the agility needed to navigate these rapid adaptations.
Enhanced security
Cyber attacks are on the rise in the UK and globally, with more and more opportunistic criminals attempting to exploit weaknesses within businesses. To protect against phishing scams, malware and other dangerous practices, SD-WAN systems are generally equipped with:
- Encryption
- Firewalls
- Intrusion detection/prevention
Improved visibility and control
Global SD-WAN solutions offer their clients an increased view of their networks, being able to monitor traffic and performance. This allows businesses to better troubleshoot individual issues and optimize resource use.
How global businesses can use managed SD-WAN solutions
It’s clear how beneficial SD-WAN solutions can be for all sorts of businesses, but it’s also important to consider exactly how international businesses will utilise them.
- Operations across multiple sites. Managed SD-WAN makes it much easier to manage networks across a range of offices or workplace locations. The global system allows for multiple offices to operate as consistently as one another in terms of performance and security.
- Cloud-first organisations. Many businesses operate mostly on the cloud these days, eschewing physical in-house infrastructure for online services. SD-WAN managed services make connectivity to cloud-based applications much smoother, enhancing working operations.
- Remote working organisations. A large percentage of businesses use remote workers to at least some degree, with some staff operating on entirely at-home or at the very least hybrid schedules. Managed SD-WAN solutions allow for secure remote access to all business resources, maximising productivity.
With the international dynamics and demands of modern business operations, SD-WAN can make things a lot smoother and more straightforward.
Are you ready to join the revolution of international expansion with SD-WAN?
Almost a third of all UK businesses are considering international expansion, which means SD-WAN will become more and more prevalent across the board. If this sounds familiar for your aspirations, or you’re already operating internationally, then it might be time to adopt this unique networking solution. As long as you make sure to carefully select your vendor, integrate new technology with existing infrastructure and properly plan its implementation, managed SD-WAN should support you across locational barriers.
