Hybrid WAN FEATURED ARTICLE

Those working or developing in the network are more than aware of what SD-WAN brings to table. Riding the wings of the cloud revolution, enabling our SaaStastic era, software-defined networking is no passing craze; it is a permanent fixture to the enterprise landscape. Speaking of Saas, UCaaS is unveiling its potential to growing praise. So what if we paired the two together?

Windstream (News - Alert) answered that question this week, announcing the strengthening of its portfolio in adding Broadview’s OfficeSuite paired with Windstream’s SD-WAN. As a result of the recent Broadview Networks (News - Alert) purchase, Windstream is now able to offer pure cloud-based unified communications fit to address enterprise and SMB needs.

In melding the two offerings, users gain access to UC functions like chat, video, contact center and phone, as the Windstream SD-WAN solution promises quality of voice, video as well as critical business applications. Customers gain improved control, visibility and bandwidth prioritization in real-time.

The combination of SD-WAN with OfficeSuite not only touts 100 percent SLAs, but admins have the ability to manage the experience with application and network level controls. In providing users a unified management dashboard, for instance, the Windstream SD-WAN simplifies management, monitoring and administrations. So, establishing security or business policies for the UC network becomes a user friendly process.

“The OfficeSuite platform serves over 250,000 users nationwide with cloud-based UC services to increase both their productivity and competitiveness in the marketplace,” said Brian Crotty, president of Windstream’s Mid-Market and Small Business division. “OfficeSuite blends user-centric technology and award-winning products, services and support to offer the most secure and flexible communications solution for businesses of all sizes, including small business and scaling to mid-market enterprise customers. Combining this with SD-WAN will allow existing Windstream customers to transform their business with powerful cloud technology.”

Organizations today demand more from the WAN than at any time in history, and this burden continues to grow. Thankfully, future forward SD-WAN can serve to meet the high performance bar set across multiple locations, ensuring the network is something businesses need not worry about.