The demand for highly secure, high-performance connectivity is at an all-time high. With organisations across the public and private sectors having largely embraced hybrid working, with their employees connecting, communicating, and collaborating from virtually anywhere. As a result, technology providers are increasingly challenged to deliver enterprise-grade connectivity that not only provides the performance and availability their customers have come to expect, but provides leading-edge cyber security, suitable for highly dispersed end users, and seamless access to the Cloud-based applications that many organisations depend on.
While Channel businesses may already have a connectivity offering as part of their solution portfolio, customers' evolving connectivity requirements mean that these will likely be showing their limitations. But this means it's time for the Channel to do what it does best and solutionize! As with other technologies, connectivity continues to evolve in response to shifts in the landscape, so the technologies needed to meet even the most stringent customer requirements are already here - it's simply a question of deploying them in ways that support new models of working, optimising efficiency and security while reducing costs and complexity.
It's certainly a challenge, but Channel businesses that are able to deliver this new breed of connectivity will quickly become an integral part of their customers' day-to-day operations and long-term business growth. So, with that in mind, let's take a closer look at two of the most important connectivity solutions for Channel businesses: SD-WAN and SASE.
What is SD-WAN?
Drawing on the principles of software-defined networking, SD-WAN offers a single connectivity connection for multiple transport technologies by decoupling the infrastructure from the actual service. At the same time, this approach provides administrators with a bird's eye view of all network traffic and behaviour, with numerous opportunities for automation. This allows for a more flexible, cost-effective approach to networking compared with legacy systems that frequently involve multiple providers and technologies, with zero compromise in terms of performance and security.
This makes it an ideal solution for organisations with highly dispersed workforces that utilise multiple Cloud-based applications, while providing Channel businesses with an ideal opportunity to position themselves as their customers' sole connectivity provider, thus guaranteeing a highly stable new revenue stream.
What is SASE?
Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) brings together leading-edge networking technologies, in the form of SD-WAN, and cyber security, in the form of Security Service Edge (SSE). As Gartner famously put it, SASE is "an emerging framework for the convergence of networking and network security services within a global Cloud-based platform to protect users, applications and data."
In practical terms, this significantly streamlines organisations' security postures, with policies automatically applied on a per user and per device basis, wherever employees are connecting from, and IT teams no longer required to deploy and maintain physical hardware at the edge - a whole new approach to network security, perfectly suited to the era of hybrid working.
Working together to drive new innovations in connectivity
So, it is clear that these next-gen technologies provide elegant, fully integrated solutions to modern connectivity requirements, but how can Channel businesses best implement them - not only in terms of deploying them, but ensuring they are fully integrated with your wider solution portfolio?
Well, it's simple… We've already done the hard work for you!
EXPO.e has been a key player in connectivity for UK businesses since our inception in 2006, launching the worlds-first Virtual Private LAN (VPLS), and continuing to develop a self-owned network with access to more than 90% of UK businesses. We continue to work with Partners from across our Channel community to develop new innovations in response to their customers' evolving requirements.
Our SD-WAN and SASE solutions continue to build on this tradition of deep collaboration. Working closely with your own teams, we ensure that every deployment process is completely seamless, with zero disruption to your customers' operations. This, in turn, will establish a new revenue stream, position you as an indispensable technology partner, and provide a strong foundation for future projects, allowing you to cultivate profitable, long-lasting working relationships with each customer.
To find out more about adding SASE and SD-WAN to your own solution portfolio, just click here.
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Partner Brochure
As a trusted partner, our deep expertise and capabilities in Networks, Cloud, Data Centre Solutions, Unified Communications, Cyber Security and Professional Service enable your sales teams to increase your average order values. We design and deliver Channel Partner solutions ranging in value from £5,000 to £1,000,000 per year. Find out more by downloading our Channel Partners Brochure.
