BT announced the launch of a new managed software defined wide area network (SD-WAN) service for UK business customers, as it continues to develop its portfolio of converged business networking products. Combining the best of BT’s capabilities into a single customer solution, the new Managed SD-WAN offering enables secure, high-bandwidth connections across multiple sites using fixed and mobile networks. As part of the launch, BT is offering two different Managed SD-WAN options based on the requirements of a customer’s network, including Cisco SD-WAN powered by Viptela, and Cisco SD-WAN powered by Meraki.
BT’s Managed SD-WAN simplifies complicated network infrastructures and provides customers with complete visibility across their networks, allowing them to optimise traffic to suit business needs — balancing performance and agility. It replaces the complexity of traditional networks with one, smart, secure network, enabling customers to mitigate network threats, make more informed decisions and boost efficiencies resulting in better business performance.
“Every organisation – whether big or small – is on a journey towards digital transformation. But their success depends on whether they have a solution that is robust, agile and intelligent enough to meet new business demands,” says Steve Best, MD, Customer Solutions, BT. “From today, our business customers can benefit from a fully converged software defined solution that brings together the very best of BT. This includes fixed line connectivity, mobile data, dedicated security expertise, access to best-of-breed SD-WAN vendors and our enhanced proactive Managed Services with a single point of contact.”
Today’s launch builds on the global announcements made with Cisco in 2018 and further expands on BT’s portfolio of Cisco based software defined networking (SDN) and network functions virtualisation (NFV) solutions in the UK.
“As more enterprises look to transform their networks in a secure, cost effective and seamless manner they often turn to leading managed service providers with expertise, experience, reach and a world-class offering in SD-WAN,” said JL Valente, vice president of product management, managed services for Cisco’s Intent Based Networking Group. “BT combines all these attributes and offers customers a long-term partner that can efficiently implement and manage a fully-fledged, secure SD-WAN platform. With BT expanding its portfolio of Cisco-based managed services, enterprise customers now benefit from more Cisco options to power their network, simplify their operations, and securely connect their users and machines to any cloud, anywhere.”
BT Managed SD-WAN is tailored to suit each customer’s needs and is underpinned by BT’s leading UK fixed and mobile networks. The SD-WAN solution is monitored and managed end-to-end by BT’s dedicated team with unrivalled security expertise, including 3, 000 cyber security experts across 15 operation centres worldwide.
“Right now, we are on the cusp of a network revolution. Our customers are looking for the next generation of intelligent connectivity, but they often don’t have the resources to implement this on their own. Our fully managed service capability with an SD-WAN solution removes these barriers and brings secure connectivity and control across all customer devices and applications, so they can react faster and work smarter. Organisations looking to take their first step in their digital transformation journey can be reassured that Cisco’s technology and our professional services backed by our unmatched security credentials can deliver the very best of networking and security for their business,” says Steve Best.