ISG Provider Lens™ Research (Archetype & Quadrant) are dedicated studies of relevant offerings related to specific IT or BPO topics or service lines over multiple regions (see “IPL Project Plan” for details). Leading vendors and service providers are evaluated and positioned, based on a transparent methodology.
The studies provide IT vendors and providers an informed base of data and research to enable them to compare their own offerings with those of relevant competitors and to reveal strengths and weaknesses as well as competitive differentiators and unique selling points. Our study serves as an important decision-making basis for positioning, key relationships, and go-to-market considerations. ISG Advisors and enterprise clients also leverage information from these reports in evaluating their current vendor relationships and potential new engagements.
Vendor positioning is based on a neutral and independent research and evaluation process. Participation in the study is FREE OF CHARGE. Vendors can purchase reprint rights of the study for marketing, press and sales purposes only AFTER the study has been completed.
A project brochure with further information can be obtained by clicking on the following graphic:
Definition of Market Categories
Below you will find the detailed definitions of the market categories evaluated in the study "Software Defined Networking and Services, Telco & SPs 2019". As part of the ISG Provider LensTM Quadrant Study, we are introducing the following 8 quadrants:
Segments Description
SDN- Service Provider
SDN packages, descriptions and business models for deployments of this service to enterprise are to be covered. The SDN architecture and service includes all layers of the SDN model (Apps, Management/reporting, Control/management, infrastructure), and their associated hardware and software, applications, reporting and management tools, etc. Controllers may be peer-to-peer or hierarchical multiple controllers and may additionally contain “master (or cluster) controllers”.
SD WAN Service Provider
SD-WAN, provides the benefits of SDN technology to traditionally hardware-based networking. It is an overlay architecture providing a networking foundation that is much easier to manage than legacy WANs, essentially moving the control layer to the cloud—and in the process, centralizing and simplifying network management. This overlay design abstracts software from hardware, enabling network virtualization and making the network more elastic. SD-WAN architecture reduces recurring network costs, offers network-wide control and visibility, and simplifies the technology with zero-touch deployment and centralized management. Key to the SD-WAN architecture is that it can communicate with all network endpoints without the need for external mechanisms or additional protocols. This section should cover all hardware and software, management/reporting tools, applications and services associated with delivering SD-WAN to enterprises.
SD WAN Equipment and Service Suppliers
SD-WAN, provides the benefits of SDN technology to traditionally hardware-based networking. It is an overlay architecture providing a networking foundation that is much easier to manage than legacy WANs, essentially moving the control layer to the cloud—and in the process, centralizing and simplifying network management. This overlay design abstracts software from hardware, enabling network virtualization and making the network more elastic. SD-WAN architecture reduces recurring network costs, offers network-wide control and visibility, and simplifies the technology with zero-touch deployment and centralized management. Key to the SD-WAN architecture is that it can communicate with all network endpoints without the need for external mechanisms or additional protocols. Suppliers have been active in selling directly SD-WAN solutions to enterprises for their “DIY“ implementations as well as increasingly partnering with licensed telco/service providers in their delivery packages in this arena. This section should cover all hardware and software, management/reporting tools, applications and services associated with delivering SD-WAN to enterprises.
Managed SD WAN Services
SD-WAN, provides the benefits of SDN technology to traditionally hardware-based networking. It is an overlay architecture providing a networking foundation that is much easier to manage than legacy WANs, essentially moving the control layer to the cloud—and in the process, centralizing and simplifying network management. This overlay design abstracts software from hardware, enabling network virtualization and making the network more elastic. SD-WAN architecture reduces recurring network costs, offers network-wide control and visibility, and simplifies the technology with zero-touch deployment and centralized management. Key to the SD-WAN architecture is that it can communicate with all network endpoints without the need for external mechanisms or additional protocols. Suppliers have been active increasingly as managed services providers as supplying complete solutions to MNS companies. MNS providers have also been actively involved in offering SD-WAN as managed service packages in this arena. This section should cover all hardware and software, management/reporting tools, applications and services associated with delivering SD-WAN to enterprises.
Managed WAN Services
Managed WAN services cover the features and functionality carriers offer in their wide area networks (WAN) and at the customer point of demarcation. These are a collection of value-added services that can include monitoring and reporting, security, and outsourced CPE functions. Many enterprises see managed WAN services as a way to outsource IT functions and purchase them along with consulting and professional services that assess, design, and implement their enterprise networks. At a basic level, carriers’ managed WAN services offer monitoring and alerts of critical problems such as network outages. Higher tiers of service can add configuration management; proactive troubleshooting and trouble resolution; SLA management; more sophisticated/granular monitoring and reporting; on-the-ground CPE installation and hardware support, ensuring CPE software is up-to-date and configured correctly; and overall lifecycle management.
Network Services
These are additional to “core” WAN networks themselves and often sold as discrete “add-on” packages or systems to enterprises. These include Managed Network Services (LAN), regarding the outsourcing of all tasks relating to the active LAN components – such as initial configuration of the LAN ports and WLAN access points, management of relevant hardware and software, hardware maintenance, and rollout to a third party. Managed Networks & Devices, - supply to enterprise or running as a service the complete management and control of all network elements related to end (mobile) devices across the enterprise, including WiFi, hub, router and premises elements and end devices themselves. Managed Connectivity & Performance, offers control and management of IoT lines and connectivity in real-time and remotely from any part of the world, typically a web-based platform that provides visualisation, monitoring and control through tools that integrate into existing systems. UCC Services, Unified communications and collaboration (UCC) refers to the combined use of communications and collaboration solutions. UCC aggregates the communication services that people use into a single interface. These services include email, instant messaging, voice, click-to-dial, presence, videoconferencing and so on. UCC systems include as examples Skype for business, WebEx, etc. This enquiry is specifically looking for those UCC solutions offered as standard packages, API/Apps, and supplier/provider specific solutions which are not market standard packages.
OTT
OTT (on the top) is also referred to as “value added”. OTT refers to the services you use over the network services of your service provider. An over-the-top (OTT) application is any app or service that provides a product over the Internet and bypasses traditional subscription or pay per use plans from the service provider. Services that come over the top are most typically related to media (film, TV, magazines), gaming (shared environments) and free communication or messaging (Skype, WhatsApp, etc). We are seeking in this segment to learn what OTT (if any) is delivered as standard packages or available as such from service providers and suppliers to their enterprise clients.
Mobility 4G / 5G
5th generation mobile networks or 5th generation wireless systems, (abbreviated 5G), are the next telecommunications standards beyond the current LTE (Long Term Evolution)/4G operating in the millimeter wave bands (28, 38, and 60 GHz). 5G planning aims at higher capacity than current 4G, allowing a higher density of mobile broadband users, and supporting device-to-device, more reliable, and massive machine communications. 5G also aims at lower latency and lower battery consumption than 4G equipment and is targeted at IoT implementations and usage. In this segment we are looking for specific mobility targeted services or solutions, applications, management systems and methods, end device control and management, etc., either provided by service providers or suppliers as discrete solutions in their own right, or as modules which will integrate with SDN or SD-WAN.
