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clrmoney
6/27/2017 3:14:57 PM
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SD-WAN GTT Deal
I didn't know GTT SD-WAN has a stock yet alone a deal but thats great to be invested in a lot of things so that it will be more valuable as times goes on.
dcawrey
6/27/2017 3:42:20 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: SD-WAN GTT Deal
All this hype for SD-WAN is expected. But yes, I do think there are going to be growing pains along the way.
Let's see how some of these deployments go.
DHagar
6/27/2017 4:25:31 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: SD-WAN GTT Deal
@dcawrey, good points. Yes it does need more development, but the ability, as pointed out in this post where you are adding agility should advance the SD-WAN solutions. The ability to accelerate and deliver scalable solutions should help with the advancement.
Re: SD-WAN GTT Deal
The security aspect was also brought up in Joe's most recent SD-WAN story with Level 3. From what I hear, businesses really get SD-WAN but, as we have been reading this month, it's not the end-game. The 451 report also said that MPLS wasn't going anywhere soon, which we've heard several times in the other SD-WAN stories this month. I agree, DHagar, being able to dynamically pick the best access route at a given moment is pretty attractive to businesses.
DHagar
6/27/2017 6:54:48 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: SD-WAN GTT Deal
@Mike, excellent focus. Yes, the key now is to solve real problems through these new capabilities and capacities, as opposed to pushing the technology as the solution. The deliverable needs to be the focus. When we take that approach busines "gets it" and views this as more of a true capacity, rather than a cost for purchasing technology. It puts it in a different category.
In actuality, I believe that SD-WAN can be driven more by the business user than it will be by the IT experts. The real value is when the technology (IT/Communications) begins to more closely work with business users to solve problems through technology.
I think that is where the companies, AT&T, etc., are making inroads with platforms that add value and/or solve the business issues.
Re: SD-WAN GTT Deal
In actuality, I believe that SD-WAN can be driven more by the business user than it will be by the IT experts....
@DHagar:
That's a great point. As a matter of fact this has to be the case for all the initiatives in enterprise. There are many initiatives that are handled by IT alone and business would only come in at the time of delivery. Instead having some kind of engagemnet and ownership by business throughout the life cycle should certainly help bridge the gaps early on.
DHagar
6/30/2017 8:13:51 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: SD-WAN GTT Deal
@ms.akkineni, thanks! Plus, it delivers added value right up front to the data and use of the applications developed. Now you have people and systems actually working in sync.
The Artificial Intelligence plus Human Intelligence is the key - in my mind.
Re: SD-WAN GTT Deal
@DHagra:
Great points, as always.
Can't agree any more with you. With no human intelligence and intervention put into play, AI alone won't be much of value add to any initiative. In this context i recall what i heard from my computer teacher when i was in early education, 'Computer is dumb, it just works based on human intelligence'. That time it sounded funny but later on it started making sense.
DHagar
7/20/2017 8:41:38 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: SD-WAN GTT Deal
@ms.akkineni, thanks!
I like your view on that. I believe that the future will be AI augmented by the human intelligence. We are going to have to learn new ways of thinking and learning.
mpouraryan
7/21/2017 12:09:56 AM
User Rank Platinum
Re: SD-WAN GTT Deal
When I see such reporting, my concerns mount (and all within TT are well aware of it)--how we deal with it is the ultimate challenge (plz note: registration may be required):
https://www.wsj.com/articles/robots-are-replacing-workers-where-you-shop-1500456602
Wishing you all a great and restful W-End.
DHagar
7/24/2017 6:22:51 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: SD-WAN GTT Deal
@mpouraryan, yes, thanks for sharing! And, yes, your concerns are certainly valid, IF we do nothing. Staying informed, which TT and the members contribute to, is the best protection against true progress and a positive outcome from the deployment of technology.
mpouraryan
7/24/2017 6:29:14 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: SD-WAN GTT Deal
Awarness is the first step--the new key point is to be proactive enough to go thru the initiative to have it tended to.
DHagar
7/25/2017 4:17:56 PM
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Re: SD-WAN GTT Deal
@mpouraryan, you got it! That is why it takes leaders; others need not apply.
mpouraryan
7/25/2017 4:58:56 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: SD-WAN GTT Deal
Very gracious of you as always--here is one cavaet: The current leaders, though, are starting to get a bit too big for their own good--However, it appears Alphabet/Google is starting to be "humbled" a bit...but we'll see!!
DHagar
7/25/2017 5:16:19 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: SD-WAN GTT Deal
@mpouraryan, well true. But they don't stay big if they don't perform, as you are pointing out - so overall, the system works! If it gets too big to produce value then it has to break up - it is not sustainable.
dlr5288
7/31/2017 4:04:49 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: SD-WAN GTT Deal
Companies need to stay aware. Not only if their own projects, but new advancements that could help them in the long run.
Re: SD-WAN GTT Deal
@Mike: Yes, the consensus largely seems to be that MPLS and SD-WAN are not enemies, and that they are meant to coexist.
...or that's just the marketing narrative for SD-WAN to keep from scaring off current MPLS customers. ;)
Re: SD-WAN GTT Deal
Here's another SD-WAN deployment from today.
@Joe, You might have a point about service providers not wanting to talk about the impact of SD-WAN on their MPLS businesses. I've asked that question numerous times and never heard one say it has. But I guess it doesn't matter since they need both going forward. MPLS is there if someone needs it vs DSL, cable, etc.
Re: SD-WAN GTT Deal
@Mike: Yeah, it's all basically the networking industry equivalent of: "Sure, I got new clothes, a better haircut, I'm working out, and I've started to see other people, but you're still my number one."
But that's not all there is to it. I remember an interview Carol Wilson did for Light Reading with a Verizon exec about SD-WAN -- and the executive went on to report that since VZ's SD-WAN release, VZ's MPLS business had grown. I suspect this is similar to the notorious Harvard Business School project where they had students work with Wendy's to innovate how to sell more double cheeseburgers -- and the solution (which worked beautifully) was: by introducing a triple cheeseburger.
Why it worked: People would go into Wendy's and think: "Well, I'm hungry, but I don't know if want to go as far as the biggest option -- a double cheeseburger." By introducing a yet bigger option, that impacted people's expectations as well as their self-assessments of their own hunger. Likewise, enterprise networking customers who are relative newcomers to these technologies may not want to invest in the latest and greatest, but they don't want to feel like they're way behind the times.
Just as OTT is sort of a loss leader for companies like Sky Italia (see Part 2 of my recent Q&A w/ Sky Italia's Davide Gandino), perhaps SD-WAN -- for all of its glory -- is starting out as a bit of a loss leader for some organizations to attract business to their networking menu in the first place.
DHagar
6/28/2017 7:09:55 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: SD-WAN GTT Deal
@JoeStanganelli, great points. The motives will vary. And there will be a market for those who just want the latest and are afraid of being left behind - they may actually become the mass market - but at least it will advance SD-WAN which is needed for further true transformation.
Re: SD-WAN GTT Deal
@DHagar: On this note, I am far more interested in SD-WAN's potential in elevating us to SONs -- self-organized networks. If a network can one day, on its own, measure and remember traffic demands at certain times and adjust for those proactively ahead of time, that's going to be HUGE.
Re: SD-WAN GTT Deal
@Joe:
SON seems to be pretty interesting concept. I believe that could be a potential solution for future.
DHagar
6/30/2017 8:11:04 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: SD-WAN GTT Deal
@JoeStanganelli, now you are talking! I am actually working on a project here in so. Cal. with multiple transportation agencies and developing RT traffic intelligence. What you envision would be HUGE. We are working with IBM and some PhD's to develop a use case with cognitive computing.
Your vision is both feasible and will produce great value!
dcawrey
6/28/2017 4:20:32 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: SD-WAN GTT Deal
@DHagar Doesn't seem scalable solutions are available quite yet.
Here's hoping that happens in the near future!
DHagar
6/28/2017 7:07:00 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: SD-WAN GTT Deal
@dcawrey, well certainly they are not the "norm" and the new solutions are one-on-ones, but as the expanded capabilities and markets are developed, and a viable alternative created, I believe that will supersede and outperform the incremental solutions.
I am with you, at lest we can hope for that.
Re: SD-WAN GTT Deal
@DHagar, @dcawrey:
Agree with you both.
Having a plan in place to deliver incremental solutions is the best approach. In this age and time we can't just wait to roll out one final product and then realize something is off. Instead follow the agiile approach, be vigilent of development around and adjust your path as needed.
dcawrey
6/30/2017 3:04:18 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: SD-WAN GTT Deal
@ms.akkineni This is the problem that some vendors get into trouble with. They promise the world when everyone full well knows that everything is in increments, and everything takes time. I feel that way about SD-WAN these days.
Re: SD-WAN GTT Deal
@dcawrey:
I see valid point in your comments. That makes me think about a company that didn't share any upfront communication with the world and came out like a bang, which was a surprise to the world. And that was from one of south american countries and industry didn't have an eye on it as well. I can't recall the name of teh company unfortunately.
So applying that to present context, such a strategy may sometimes work well. What do you think?
DHagar
6/30/2017 8:15:44 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: SD-WAN GTT Deal
@ms.akkineni, you outline a valuable model for the future. This is also the essence of the "Fail Fast" concept. It is more about learning what is needed and what works, than selecting "the answer".
Re: SD-WAN GTT Deal
@DHagar:
Thanks, most of the times that answer may act as an interim solution for the situation which may 'fail fast' in near term. That is a proof for not vetting out all details and analyzing what exactly is needed. Once those details are figured out laying out potential practical options for solutions is the first key for the team. Then it is up to the solution team's leadership to take that to business leadership and explain every possible option with pros and cons so business can make an educated decision. This is like having business participate all through and in fact they own the decision. I believe this model makes more practical sense and this works perfect as business has clear set of expectations. They also feel more ownership and accontability.
DHagar
7/24/2017 6:20:37 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: SD-WAN GTT Deal
@ms.akkineni, great model for success! If it does not produce value and create a true business proposition, it is less likely to achieve its objectives and get the full buy-in of what is needed and all stakeholders.
Re: SD-WAN GTT Deal
@DHagar:
Thanks, I am glad that our thoughts align.
Majority of business stakeholders these days are tech aware and they understand pros and cons of solutions that we bring to the table. That is very helpful for IT. So business teams are very particular about which option yields to better business operational efficiency before making a decision. and that is teh right way, afterall all IT solutions must be to add efficiency and ease to business operations of any organization.
DHagar
7/25/2017 4:21:26 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: SD-WAN GTT Deal
@ms.akkineni, good review of the process.
Yes, it becomes a cycle where business is able to improve processes and create new value. It truly becomes a matter now of applications for either business process improvement and/or innovation and new model development. All adds new value and makes IT a strategic capability and a necessity, rather than an optional purchase.
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