Tapas and Tranquility
Monica is an IT manager at a mid-sized company with offices across four states. For several years now, she had been feeling the weight of her network infrastructure challenges. The company’s traditional network setup was a tangled web of complexity, high maintenance costs, and frequent outages. Every day felt like a race against time, juggling increasing demands and constant firefighting.
She desperately needed a solution to simplify network management, reduce costs, and improve reliability. There had to be a better way. She hadn’t had a vacation in years, and she was determined that this summer would be different.
During her research, she came across Adaptiv Networks and its portfolio of SD-WAN solutions designed for simplicity and cost-efficiency. She had heard of SD-WAN before with its promises of uptime and performance, but she had never had the bandwidth (pun intended) to consider it seriously due to her constant workload. With Adaptiv Networks, she saw a potential solution that could not only address her immediate concerns but also free up her time.
- Reliability and failover. Monica’s first step was to implement Adaptiv Connect. This solution eliminated the need for complex failover configurations and manual interventions in the event of a local Internet outage. The seamless failover capabilities ensured uninterrupted service, even during network disruptions. This was a significant improvement over the previous setup, providing increased reliability and reducing the burden on her IT team. If the main Internet provider went down, her network would stay online, giving Monica time to finish her beer before having to rush to her laptop to troubleshoot.
- Cloud Network Efficiency. With Adaptiv Connect, Monica could leverage the scalability of the cloud, allowing her network to grow seamlessly with her business. The lighter hardware requirements at the edge reduced the need for frequent upgrades, making it easier and more cost-effective to expand the network as needed. This cloud-based scalability meant that her network could quickly adapt to changing demands, and she could finally see a summer where she could plan a beach trip without worrying about the constant planning of upcoming site turnups.
- Reducing network overhead. One of the standout features was the ability to migrate security functions to the Coud. Pairing the solution’s Web Protect web filtering add-on with the local CPE’s stateful firewall, Monica was able to replace individual firewalls and other security devices, significantly reducing her network’s surface of attack. This simplification cut down the time and effort needed every month for maintenance, security patches, and hardware upgrades. Her network became more efficient and easier to manage, allowing her to carve out time to enjoy tapas on a patio, and even catch the occasional movie at the drive-in with friends.
- Flexible remote connectivity. Monica also implemented My Connect for her remote workers, ensuring they had reliable, high-quality connections similar to those in the office. There was no need for a separate VPN concentrator; remote workers could authenticate and connect to the network as if they were physically present in the office. This solution improved her team’s productivity and enabled seamless communication and collaboration, even from remote locations. The added security of Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) ensured that all remote access was secure, maintaining the integrity of the company’s network. Knowing that her team could work efficiently from anywhere gave Monica the confidence to plan a spontaneous getaway. She, too, could work remotely, even – gasp! – from a cottage.
- Monitoring and troubleshooting. The advanced monitoring and troubleshooting tools available in the Adaptiv Cloud Orchestrator provided Monica with real-time insights into her network’s performance. Automated alerts and comprehensive diagnostics enabled her to proactively address issues before they impacted users. For example, she quickly associated network saturation with increased streaming traffic during the Stanley Cup finals and applied Quality of Service (QoS) rules to ensure that voice and video traffic were prioritized. This enhanced visibility and control over her network while improving overall reliability and performance, reducing the time spent on troubleshooting. Now, Monica could actually focus on strategic initiatives and maybe even enjoy a martini every Friday afternoon, knowing that her network was in good hands.
Monica’s decision to implement Adaptiv Networks’ SD-WAN solutions transformed her network infrastructure. The seamless failover capabilities ensured uninterrupted service, while cloud-powered scalability allowed her network to grow with the business. The reduced overhead at the edge simplified management and maintenance, and the advanced monitoring tools provided real-time insights and proactive issue resolution. Adaptiv Networks not only addressed Monica’s initial challenges but also positioned her company for future growth and success.
The streamlined network operations and cost savings enabled Monica’s IT team to focus on innovation and strategic projects, driving the business forward. Finally, Monica could see a summer where she could enjoy simple pleasures and, maybe – maybe – work on her tan. Thanks to her great idea of improving IT and network efficiency with the help of Adaptiv SD-WAN, Monica’s summer was looking brighter and more balanced.
Continue reading! Access our complete e-book on Harnessing SD-WAN for IT Efficiency, or reach out to presales@adaptiv-networks.com!
Sébastien Tellier is the VP of Solutions at Adaptiv Networks. Prior to joining Adaptiv, Sébastien worked at Martello and ELFIQ Networks, where he held different positions in marketing and sales in the SD-WAN market. During that time, he appeared on panels and shows in Europe and North America, while working with channel partners across the planet. Sébastien holds a Master of Science in Marketing from HEC Montréal.