Nitel will offer software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) and SD-Security services to channel partners and corporations nationwide through an alliance with Versa Networks.
Built for mid-market to large enterprises, Nitel’s SD offerings will provide customers with application centric management, greater network reliability and optimized performance over Nitel’s global, managed, public and private WAN services. Through its accompanying web portal, Nitel will deliver an enhanced user experience with on-demand access to built-in analytics, application-driven routing and network management. Additional benefits and key differentiators within Nitel’s new SD Security services will include integrated next-generation firewall (NGFW) and unified threat management (UTM).
“The increasing use of cloud and SaaS has made the WAN, not the LAN, the defining measure of a network’s performance and the customer experience,” said Rick Stern, CEO, Nitel. “By simplifying last mile access and connectivity, SD-WAN has created a disruptive market opportunity and competitive advantage for Nitel and our channel partners that ultimately benefits businesses and consumers everywhere. SD-WAN is at the heart of the new network and makes Nitel’s promise to deliver affordable, best available, uninterrupted connectivity across a single network easier for our channel partners to sell, support and scale.”
By teaming with Versa, Nitel will provide channel partners with the services and expertise needed to capitalize on the market’s growing demand for SD-WAN, cloud and hybrid infrastructure. In 2016, IT research firm IDC estimated worldwide SD-WAN revenues would exceed $6 billion in 2020 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 90 percent over the 2015-2020 forecast period. Nitel and Versa executives agree SD-WAN services will see strong growth in 2017 as cloud adoption accelerates and network technology shifts from a supporting role to a more strategic role within midmarket and enterprise organizations.
“More and more multi-location companies are adopting cloud applications and migrating to cloud or hybrid infrastructures – a move that’s spurring greater demand for managed SD-WAN,” said Tony Fallows, vice president, Global Sales and Operations, Versa Networks. “The time is now for channel partners to market, sell and support SD-WAN services. Teaming with Nitel, we are able to bring to market best-of-breed software-defined WAN and security that delivers secure, easy-to-manage, intelligent networks with a true nationwide scope.”
Nitel’s new SD-WAN services include advanced design and installation support to speed time to value for customers. Nitel is conducting a beta trial and expects a wide-scale launch in April 2017.
To encourage channel partners to learn more about SD-WAN, Nitel is offering access to no-cost on-demand and live training and has produced a comprehensive SD-WAN Playbook detailing how channel partners can effectively market and sell SD-WAN services. Field sales and engineering support are also available to Nitel channel partners with the right tools and resources to support their success.
“Nitel is serious about the success of our channel partners and provides a proven methodology to help them win more business and exceed customer expectations,” said Scott Stricklin, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing, Nitel. “With last-mile access from more than 130 vendors, the Nitel Network is built to capitalize on the promise of SD-WAN. Together with Versa, we are empowering channel partners to deliver a fully managed, secure alternative to MPLS at a much lower cost.”
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