SD-WAN has evolved into a technology that is much more than just a tool to optimize connectivity. It is now a business enabler, a key differentiator for those providing networking functionality, and the tip of the spear powering the future of networking and the digital transformation.
With the pervasiveness of the Internet of Things (IoT), the need for constant network uptime and elimination of outages or partial outages, and increased and optimized bandwidth, network infrastructures must change to keep up and SD-WAN provides that evolutionary step.
Many vendors have chosen to throw their hats into the SD-WAN ring, each delivering a slightly different flavor of the technology with varying, yet overlapping, audiences. Differentiation is key and attaining a spot amongst the leaders is a coveted result. The competition to become a player and stand out from the pack is much more than just about market share.
Quadrant Knowledge Solutions recently published its worldwide Market Outlook report on SD-WAN for 2018 – 2023, which not only discusses SD-WAN market drivers, trends, and forecasting numbers by geography, customer type, deployment, and geography, it also provides a comprehensive competitive landscape of those vendors currently an providing SD-WAN solution.
In this report, VeloCloud, now part of VMware, was named the SD-WAN technology leader by Quadrant, stating “In the overall technology analysis, VeloCloud has emerged as the clear technology leader with its continued focus on technology innovation to offer next-generation SD-WAN solutions.”
The report goes on to provide those considering the adoption of SD-WAN guidance on criteria by which to choose its vendor. VeloCloud, now part of VMware, is a clear leader in all the criteria areas listed.
“Users should evaluate SD-WAN that offers comprehensive capabilities, including management of SD-WAN and network optimization, such as acceleration, dynamic path selection, hybrid WAN, and centralized administration, management, and orchestration of all connected endpoints, automation, WAN optimization, network security integration, zero-touch deployment, and such others. Users should also look for a SD-WAN solution with history of successful large-scale deployments and carefully analyze the existing case studies of those deployments. This should form the basis to prepare best-practice for SD-WAN deployments.”
Other key takeaways from the report include:
Market growth
“Software-defined wide-area network market is expected to grow significantly in the next five to six years from the market size of $501.3 million in 2017 to over $12.11 billion by 2023. The market, which has grown by 67.3% in 2017 compared to 2016, is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 56.1% from 2018-2023.”
Business Drivers
SD-WAN is driving more business opportunities and a method of expanding services to an existing customer base.
“Driven by promising market opportunities, large networking and IT vendors are looking at improving their product portfolio with SD-WAN solution. This is expected to drive increased acquisitions and mergers to improve managed services and improved offerings during the forecasted years of 2018-2023.”
With the pervasiveness of the Internet of Things (IoT), the need for constant network uptime and elimination of outages or partial outages, and increased and optimized bandwidth, network infrastructures must change to keep up and SD-WAN provides that evolutionary step. 
