SD-WAN provider, Aryaka, formed a strategic alliance with 8×8 to improve the voice and video communications experience for global mid-market businesses.
SD-WAN and UCaaS go together like peanut butter and jelly.
Vonage has Velocloud for its SmartWAN product. Other UCaaS providers are either incorporating SD-WAN functions or are looking to.
This technology is being utilized to improve VoIP performance. SD-WAN as defined by Gartner has 4 core functions (see picture). The analytics and WAN transparency are helpful for administration of the network (and SLA policing). The instant , fail-over, link bonding and dynamic packet routing are not new functions of a network device, but are incorporated into the SD-WAN technology in a simpler way. CCNAs will be job hunting.
WAN optimization and application acceleration are added functions from the SD-WAN providers. This is significant in a business IT environment that has more cloud applications than local ones – and that includes CRM, Office suite and UC.
There will be a lot of uses for SD-WAN tech in the future – more than just saving money. Yet right now it is Retail, branch offices and rural locations that are buying it first.
It is worth noting that the VoIP Providers are recognizing that call quality and performance of their platform are important for customer retention and user adoption.