Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 16 | Page 15

LATEST INTELLIGENCE Eight Toxic Networking Vendor Selection Philosophies Why Read This Report Many enterprise networking teams still struggle to shift away from their incumbent network infrastructure, even if it’s the right decision for the company. This report addresses eight common statements that organizations use to rationalize their choices and criteria. Such language no longer works. In this report, we explain why each statement is an invalid justification for choosing a networking vendor and how infrastructure and operations (I&O) professionals can change their thinking and their language to make the right choices for their customers and their unique businesses. Key Takeaways Network Demands Have Changed, But Selection Criteria Have Not Virtualization, software-defined networking (SDN), and customer engagement networks have changed network products and architecture. However, I&O professionals continue to use the same old criteria to choose their networking vendors. “Unicorns” Show There Is An Alternative Google, Facebook, and other so-called unicorns have turned away from traditional networking vendors, architectures, and solutions. These companies have revolutionized what we expect from network operations while creating some of the most scalable and resilient business networks in the world. Realizing Business Value by Moving to a Digital Workplace Executive Summary Cloud, mobility, Big Data, and social business have transformed the role of technology in the enterprise. These technologies, which make up what IDC refers to as the 3rd Platform, are giving rise to the “digital workplace,” where unified wired and wireless network infrastructure emerges as the new normal as users migrate to secure enterprise-grade WiFi for primary network access. The result is that traditional barriers with regard to time and place are obliterated for nearly every horizontal function of the enterprise. Enterprise workers have more ubiquitous access to corporate applications, customers, and data through mobile devices, leading to faster innovation and deeper customer engagement. Moving to the digital workplace inherently changes the way networks need to be designed and managed. Networks that were once optimized for wired desktop connections must be reimagined for the digital era, where wireless shifts to become the predominant access method versus its traditional complementary role. This evolution in the network requires thoughtful examination to better understand resource requirements in terms of initial monetary investment, labor, time, and change management. While the technical promise of delivering a digital workplace to both internal and external stakeholders can be realized in the here and now, the business value of making this network transition needs further articulation. Download white papers free from www.intelligentcio.com/me/whitepapers/ www.intelligentcio.com INTELLIGENTCIO 15