SD-WAN Evaluation in 8 Steps
Tutorials
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10. April 2025
Die Umstellung auf ein Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) bietet Unternehmen zahlreiche Vorteile, darunter Kosteneinsparungen, verbesserte Netzwerkleistung und erhöhte Flexibilität. Doch wie lange dauert es, bis sich die Investition amortisiert? And which steps are crucial in this process? In diesem Blogbeitrag beleuchten wir die wichtigsten Aufgaben bei der erfolgreichen Implementierung eines SD-WAN-Evaluierung Projekts.
1. Erfassen der aktuellen Kosten
Der erste Schritt besteht darin, die aktuellen Kosten für bestehende Netzwerkverbindungen wie MPLS, Internetleitungen, WAN-Hardware und Lizenzen zu erfassen. Diese Daten dienen als Basislinie für den Vergleich und helfen, die potenziellen Einsparungen durch SD-WAN zu quantifizieren. Nimm dir die Zeit, alle relevanten Kostenpunkte zu sammeln und zu dokumentieren. Dies schafft eine solide Grundlage für die spätere Bewertung der Einsparungen.
“At least 40% of all businesses will die in the next 10 years… if they don’t figure out how to change their entire company to accommodate new technologies.”
– John Chambers, former CEO Cisco Systems
2. elaboration of the requirements
The specific requirements and needs of the company should be determined and documented in close cooperation with various teams (network, security, cloud, etc.). These requirements form the basis for further planning. It is important to involve all stakeholders at an early stage to ensure that no important aspects are overlooked. Ask the teams about their specific needs and challenges to get a comprehensive picture.
3. list of locations
A detailed list of all locations with the required technical data (redundancy, bandwidth, etc.) is crucial to ensure that all requirements are taken into account. This list also helps with the selection of suitable providers. Make sure you gather all the relevant information to make an informed decision.
4. catalog of requirements
A comprehensive catalog of requirements covering all technical and operational requirements should be drawn up. This includes service level agreements (SLA), T-shirt sizing and connection types. This catalog serves as a guide for providers and ensures that all important criteria are taken into account.
5TH Q&A
A list of frequently asked questions and answers ensures clarity and transparency in the project. It serves as a valuable resource for everyone involved and helps to avoid misunderstandings. Think about what questions might arise during the course of the project and prepare appropriate answers.
6. comparison of SD-WAN providers
Based on previous project experience and expertise, the offers of various SD-WAN providers were to be analyzed and compared. Recommendations are based on sound knowledge and best practice. Take the time to carefully weigh up the pros and cons of each provider to make the best choice for your business.
7. provider workshops
Workshops with the providers should be moderated to ensure that all requirements and expectations are clearly communicated. These workshops are crucial to the success of the project. Use this opportunity to clarify open questions and ensure that everyone involved is on the same page.
8. summary and presentation
Finally, a comprehensive summary of the technical and financial results should be prepared and presented. This presentation supports the decision-making process and demonstrates the benefits of SD-WAN implementation. Prepare the presentation in such a way that it appeals to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Conclusion
Support in the implementation of the project and the evaluation of the results are crucial! Careful monitoring ensures that the project runs smoothly and that all requirements are met. Careful execution of these tasks can ensure that the transition to an SD-WAN is efficient and cost-effective. Whether it is worthwhile for your company to rely on SD-WAN at all therefore depends on the respective environment and requirements and must be considered explicitly.
The payback period for known SD-WAN projects is often between 6 months and 2 years, depending on the specific savings and the initial investment costs. With a structured approach, the SD-WAN project will be a success!