Enterprise customers report that their teams typically see a noticeable performance boost when SD- WAN is integrated into the network. This can be especially critical when using UCaaS, CCaaS, or any other software-as-a-service offerings, given that these technologies can have a direct cause-and-effect relationship with customer service and customer experience. According to AVANT’s Assessment Data, auto failover and redundancy represents the number one reason why enterprise customers first take a look at SD-WAN. Simplified management and cost savings over MPLS ranked second and third, respectively. Companies in the 250-500 seat range were far more drawn to potential cost savings (77%) than any other value category. Current & Planned WAN Environments 62% currently have MPLS 40% plan to keep original network 39% plan to replace original network Source: AVANT Research & Analytics, August 2019 According to AVANT’s assessment data, most companies are coming to SD-WAN from a MPLS environment (62 percent), and 40 percent report a near-term plan to keep their original network, while a nearly equal percentage plan to replace their original network sooner rather than later. Approximately 40 percent are aiming at an SD-WAN set up that includes Dual Internet connections and 39 percent are planning a hybrid environment that includes MPLS. Products and technologies that users may choose to displace through the adoption of SD-WAN include routers (55 percent), standalone firewalls (47 percent) and WAN optimization (23 percent), given that these functions can now be delivered by other means. Oftentimes, a discussion Oftentimes, a discussion on SD WAN begins with a on SD-WAN begins with a conversation on an entirely different subject – most likely conversation on an entirely a value proposition around UCaaS, SaaS, or some other application that requires a substantial amount of different subject - most bandwidth or is otherwise latency sensitive. In such likely a value proposition circumstances, the discussion can turn to SD-WAN as a around UCaaS, SaaS, or means of providing the network power necessary to some other application. support the higher-level application that is intended to provide a competitive differentiator for the customer. It is important to take stock of how your company uses technologies and where those technologies are located. The tables below show how customer organizations tend to deploy various technologies and applications, based on AVANT’s assessment data. Depending on where these technologies and applications are located, different solutions may be the right choice. For example, some providers may incorporate a global backbone network or one that has connectivity built into your specific data center or cloud application, thereby establishing for themselves a position on your short list of potential providers. 11 Copyright © 2019 AVANT Communications, Inc.