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U.S. Software Defined Networking Landscape is Examined by ISG | Analyst Report
June 2018
Software-defined network (SDN) and software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) technologies and services are rapidly increasing their market presence and evolving along with their triggers and influences.
In 2018, ISG evaluated the strategy, vision, innovation, brand awareness, sales and partner landscape, breadth and depth of portfolio, and technology advancements of 43 software-defined networking and services providers serving the U.S. across seven quadrants: mobility (4G/5G) services, network services (VAS), managed SD-WAN services, managed WAN services, SD-WAN services (DIY), SD-WAN equipment and services, and SDN services.
This ISG Provider Lens Report examines the different kinds of network offerings related to software-defined networking, (SDN, SD-WAN and associated core and mobility service offerings related to those segments), in addition to the more traditional managed WAN market offerings. For users, both markets are extremely important to take into consideration. Accounting for changing market requirements, this study provides a consistent market overview for the segments and offers insights to help user organizations evaluate and assess providers’ offerings and performance.
Many companies reviewed in the study were involved in pilot or proof-of-concept (POC) projects. In many cases, they are currently converting these projects to production-level deployments. That evolution, taken together with the relative newness of software-defined networking as a whole, leads ISG to expect that many of the companies currently categorized as either Product Challengers or Market Challengers within this quadrant study will be able to improve their positioning over the course of the next 12 months in order to enter leadership positions within their respective segments
In the study, ISG named Apcela a “Rising Star” in SD-WAN (DIY) services and mobility (4G/5G) services. In SD-WAN (DIY) services, ISG recognized Apcela for its private network, in particular for having “strong partner deals … with cloud, service and software suppliers” to “accelerate and ensure delivery of results” for enterprises and specific industry verticals. In mobility services, ISG noted that Apcela “has become successful and achieved recognition within this segment by utilizing its NaaS-oriented products – based around its AppHUB platform – enabling mobile employees to enjoy enhanced security and innovative mobility solutions.” ISG also named Apcela a “Product Challenger” in managed SD-WAN services for offering a product and service portfolio that provides “above average coverage of corporate requirements.”