SD-WAN: Is it worth it? Is it saving costs – yes or no?

What is SD-WAN and how does it work?

SD-WAN uses software to dynamically control data traffic over different connection types such as broadband, LTE or MPLS. Imagine your company has multiple locations and each location needs a stable connection. Instead of expensive MPLS lines, you can use cheaper connections. SD-WAN ensures that important applications such as video conferencing are prioritized and less critical data is routed cost-effectively.

The benefits of SD-WAN:

1. Cost reduction through reduced MPLS dependency: One medium-sized company, for example, was able to reduce its monthly network costs by 30% by switching to SD-WAN. Broadband and LTE connections replace expensive MPLS lines.
2. Optimized bandwidth usage: Intelligent traffic management ensures that the available bandwidth is used efficiently. Critical applications are given the priority they need.
3. Simple administration and flexibility: Centralized control makes network management easier, significantly reducing the workload of the IT department.
4. Increased resilience: SD-WAN allows multiple connection types to be combined, making the network more resilient to outages. If a connection fails, the data traffic automatically switches to an alternative line.
5. SD-WAN Managed Service: If you don’t want to take care of setup and operation yourself, a managed service offers an attractive alternative. An IT service provider can take over the configuration, monitoring and maintenance of your SD-WAN. So if you don’t have the internal resources, this can be an interesting alternative – find out more about our range of managed services!

However, the implementation of SD-WAN also brings with it various challenges. First of all, initial investments are required, as software, licenses and possibly new hardware must be purchased, whereby the costs incurred depend heavily on the size of the company. Another hurdle is the integration into existing networks, especially if an extensive MPLS infrastructure is already in place, as the changeover in such cases can be complex and take a long time. In addition, the performance of an SD-WAN is heavily dependent on the quality and stability of the Internet connections used – poor connections can significantly weaken the benefits of the technology, even if the intelligent control of data streams can partially compensate for possible effects. Finally, despite numerous automated features, ongoing maintenance and monitoring is necessary to ensure optimum network performance; manual intervention may be required in the event of faults or a drop in line performance.

Is SD-WAN worth it?

But let’s not kid ourselves, SD-WAN can be an excellent solution for companies with multiple locations and high network requirements. This topic varies from company to company and there is no blanket statement whether YES or NO. Companies should therefore weigh up the options carefully and find out about possible providers on the market. With the right planning and advice, SD-WAN can be a future-proof investment – especially in combination with a managed service that minimizes the internal effort for you.

Do you have any questions or experience with SD-WAN? Feel free to contact us and we will be happy to help you!