Windstream introduces SD-WAN solution
January 19 2017 - 7:00AM
Windstream (NASDAQ:WIN), a leading provider of advanced network
communications, today announced the availability of its
software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) solution that will
transform how businesses design and manage their networks. Powered
by VeloCloud, Windstream’s SD-WAN solution gives customers
increased network agility, seamless scalability and optimized
performance, all while also reducing costs.
“SD-WAN is another example of Windstream partnering with
enterprise customers to deliver reliable, secure communications
solutions that fuel productivity and growth,” said Joe Harding,
enterprise chief marketing officer at Windstream. “By including
SD-WAN as another solution in our portfolio of managed WAN
services, Windstream offers mid- to large-sized enterprise
customers the same technology advantages that large enterprises
enjoy, which include custom-designed networks and services, as well
as a highly responsive support team.”
Traditional WAN technology has long been the cornerstone of IT
for voice and data networking infrastructure, but the expectation
for less downtime and latency challenges, as well as the advent of
hybrid/cloud architectures and the higher cost of adding locations,
are causing many companies to rethink their WAN strategy.
Windstream’s SD-WAN solution offers businesses, including middle
market customers, a more tailored, flexible and controllable WAN
experience.
Windstream’s solution utilizes software-defined networking (SDN)
to dynamically route traffic over a combination of private and
public access types to reach multiple locations. Customers maintain
control over their network from a convenient centralized location
rather than requiring them to manage various routers, firewalls and
switches. It also simplifies management and monitoring by
presenting comprehensive information to the customer in a unified
management console – a “single pane of glass.”
“Businesses in every industry, including ours, are looking for
competitive advantages such as increased agility and cost
efficiencies that come from software-defined networks,” said Glen
Holroyd, director of IT, Kona Grill. “We chose Windstream’s SD-WAN
solution because it integrates a hybrid network, leading technology
from VeloCloud, and a full suite of voice and data solutions.
Together, they are an attractive solution for Kona Grill, our
fast-growing American Grill and Sushi Bar concept with 45 locations
across 25 states.”
Windstream’s SD-WAN solution is available immediately to
customers in Windstream’s nationwide service area, and Windstream
is seeing strong interest from customers in the retail, banking,
professional services, healthcare, manufacturing and financial
services industries.
Among the benefits of Windstream’s SD-WAN solution are:
- Simplified Network Management. By converging
voice, data and video applications on the same IP backbone,
customers can use existing hardware and available access types to
connect locations—reducing capital investment, lowering
provisioning time and simplifying technology migration. There are
no manual switches to engage or monitor, and automatic updates and
upgrades protect against downtime or business interruptions.
- Increased Efficiency and Resiliency. Business
policies dynamically prioritize and de-prioritize traffic, making
better use of available bandwidth to enhance performance and
overall user experience. And dual active links provide redundant
and/or diverse connections at each site, increasing network
resiliency.
- The Ability to Scale Easily. Standardized
low-touch provisioning allows Windstream SD-WAN to scale quickly
and seamlessly to accommodate new sites with easily activated
circuits.
- Keeping Critical Data Safe. A secure
abstracted overlay creates a virtual private network on top of
existing connection points. All network traffic is encrypted, for
security in a borderless environment.
Many leading industry analysts expect that emerging technologies
such as SDN and SD-WAN will fundamentally change how businesses
design and manage their networks. Andre Kindness, principal analyst
at Forrester Research, wrote in his October 2016 research report
titled "Five Tenets Define Virtual Network Infrastructure, A Bold
New Business Network" that traditional networking is taking a
backseat as new technologies such as these advance:
“More flexible models now prevail that democratize usage, allow
mobility of people and devices, and empower everyone, not just
networking pros, to exercise the right level of control of network
resource consumption.”
Windstream offers a full suite of advanced network
communications and technology solutions, including Network &
Data, Voice & Unified Communications, Network Security, Managed
Services and Cloud Services. For more information, visit
windstreambusiness.com.
About WindstreamWindstream Holdings, Inc.
(NASDAQ:WIN), a FORTUNE 500 company, is a leading provider of
advanced network communications and technology solutions for
consumers, businesses, enterprise organizations and wholesale
customers across the U.S. Windstream offers bundled services,
including broadband, security solutions, voice and digital TV to
consumers. The company also provides data, cloud solutions, unified
communications and managed services to business and enterprise
clients. The company supplies core transport solutions on a local
and long-haul fiber network spanning approximately 129,000 miles.
Additional information is available at windstream.com. Please visit
our newsroom at news.windstream.com or follow us on Twitter at
@Windstream.
Media Contact
Sarah Davis, 303.522.0884
sarah.c.davis@windstream.com