The constant evolution of telecommunications infrastructure technology and the increasing centralization of data in the cloud drive the adoption of SDWAN as the primary form of network connectivity. However, despite the solid technological foundations, the effective penetration of SDWAN in the various market segments still faces challenges.

The Current SDWAN Landscape: An In-Depth Analysis

Initially, an explosion in SDWAN adoption was expected, but surprisingly, that didn't come to fruition immediately. Technology has not yet earned its place in public tenders and basic connectivity demands for small and medium-sized businesses. One of the main obstacles is the cost associated with conventional SDWAN solutions in the market, involving hardware, software, and services.

The Role of Cloud Virtualization and SDWAN in Business Connectivity

Before the popularization of SDWAN, major security technology providers already offered distributed firewall solutions. These solutions were advantageous because of the small hardware size and the ability to apply specific policies for each network perimeter. As far as connectivity was concerned, it was still largely dependent on ISPs, with solutions based on MPLS.

With the evolution of access technologies (PON networks) and the improvement in the services of broadband providers, SDWAN began to be seen by these providers as an improvement in these Firewall systems. Thus, some features of the SDWAN technology started to add the security package of these devices, as an optional improvement.

Challenges of the SDWAN + FW Combination and the Price Rise

While the combination of SDWAN and Firewall is reasonable and, in many cases, necessary, it brought undesirable side effects, especially with regard to pricing. The continued use of proprietary hardware and the development to allow coexistence with the legacy security package increased business costs. This reality hinders the use of SDWAN by sectors with less investment capacity in IT, hampering the digital evolution of these sectors to the cloud and maintaining the costs of traditional connectivity systems, such as MPLS.

Viable Alternatives: SDWAN with a Focus on Connectivity

Despite these challenges, new solutions emerge that stand out when focusing on connectivity. Because they are more software-based, these solutions abstract some low-level network technical functionalities, presenting themselves more as a service platform for customers. Resources such as Failover cellular, intelligent load balancing, performance dashboards, and type provisioning Zero-touch speed up installation and reduce user effort.

In short, SDWAN's journey in the enterprise market is filled with challenges, but it also opens doors to innovation and efficiency. As the market evolves, it's critical to explore alternatives that balance performance, accessibility, and simplicity of implementation. SDWAN has the potential to revolutionize business connectivity, provided that the right solutions are adopted strategically.