Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) technology transforms traditional networking by enabling intelligent routing to optimize application performance and simplify management tasks across distributed locations. Agile, user-centric networking is key to achieving and maintaining a competitive advantage across industry verticals and elevating employee productivity.
GTT makes the transition seamless with our managed delivery model, Envision platform, and customer-first approach. Our solution accelerates deployment timelines, delivering superior performance via one of the largest global Tier 1 backbones and minimizing operational disruption through zero-touch provisioning and our team of expert network engineers.
Learn more about GTT Managed SD-WAN
Why SD-WAN is Essential for User Experience
SD-WAN optimizes application performance through intelligent routing and dynamic bandwidth allocation, ensuring consistent connectivity across locations and devices. Some examples of specific user benefits include:
- Crystal-clear, uninterrupted video calls: SD-WAN can automatically prioritize video traffic, routing it through the highest-performing connections available to eliminate freezing, pixelation and dropped calls.
- Fast file access and downloads: Working with large files becomes dramatically faster, making collaborative work on presentations and other shared files more efficient.
- Seamless cloud app integration: Microsoft 365, Salesforce and other cloud tools load faster and respond more quickly thanks to SD-WAN creating direct paths to cloud services rather than routing that traffic through congested data centers.
- Reliable connectivity from anywhere: Remote and hybrid work models become problem-free when SD-WAN automatically switches between available connections (ie, Broadband to cellular) to ensure uninterrupted access to company resources.
- Faster response times: Daily tasks like loading an internal website, database or application become smoother and faster with SD-WAN, reducing latency and eliminating common network bottlenecks.
What user experience challenges does SD-WAN solve?
Jitter and network latency
Automated network routing eliminates the need for manual intervention to resolve excessive latency, packet loss and jitter. SD-WAN also provides automated detection and mitigation of network performance issues.
Unstable performance across endpoints
Before SD-WAN, networks were managed at individual routers with static load balancing. With SD-WAN, networks are managed via a central orchestrator that includes dynamic, intelligent load balancing and application-aware routing, ensuring that business-critical apps receive priority bandwidth.
Inconsistent access to cloud services
SD-WAN eliminates backhaul latency common with data centers through direct routing to your cloud applications and local breakout capabilities to further prioritize SaaS apps for peak performance. GTT's global Tier 1 network provides further enhanced integration with leading cloud service providers.
Failover issues
SD-WAN enables instantaneous failover with reduced outages over traditional networks. All available circuits are constantly monitored and optimized for full bandwidth utilization.
How does GTT SD-WAN improve application performance?
- Dynamic bandwidth allocation: By managing bandwidth distribution based on real-time application needs, GTT SD-WAN can increase available bandwidth while reducing overall network costs and providing flexible scaling options to meet your business needs.
- Application-aware routing: Routing decisions are made for specific applications rather than simply reading basic packet header information. This allows critical applications like Microsoft 365 or Teams to receive priority treatment.
- Local breakout and prioritization for SaaS: Connecting directly to cloud apps rather than backhauling through a data center enables enhanced performance for your business-critical applications and seamless integration with leading cloud providers.
- One of the largest Global IP Backbones: GTT Tier 1 backbone spans 450+ Points of Presence (PoP) across six continents. 75% of customer traffic stays on this network for enhanced performance and security.
How GTT Simplifies SD-WAN Integration
Our managed delivery model follows our comprehensive "design, deliver, manage" lifecycle, which ensures seamless deployment and ongoing optimization and management. Our customer-first onboarding process eliminates complexity with expert project management, technical oversight and dedicated support teams that follow each implementation from start to finish.
What makes GTT SD-WAN easy to deploy?
- Zero-touch provisioning at the edge: Pre-configured appliances eliminate the need for on-site technical expertise, while devices that automatically retrieve their configuration files on first connection and remote configuration capabilities via the EnvisionDX digital gateway further ensure smooth onboarding and setup.
- Global logistics and service support: Our professional services team provides end-to-end deployment support, and our project managers use established frameworks like PRINCE2 and ITIL for consistent results. Each project also has dedicated technical managers to guide design and planning throughout each deployment.
- Pre-configured appliances shipped directly: SD-WAN appliances ship fully provisioned and configured, with minimal manual interaction required on-site. Our global logistics network ensures timely delivery, no matter where in the world you’re located. Thanks to our seamless integration with your existing network infrastructure, no “rip and replace” is required.
What is the typical SD-WAN deployment timeline?
GTT employs a phased deployment model that minimizes risk and enables iterative improvements based on feedback from the pilot site. Many customers achieve day-one value within 2-4 weeks of project kickoff, with a full network transformation typically completed in 3-6 months, depending on scope and complexity.
The strategy behind our phased approach begins with establishing a pilot site to allow testing and refinement before broadening the deployment. We use non-critical locations as initial deployment targets to minimize business impact, and use the lessons learned from these early phases to optimize the remaining rollout.
Envision: The Engine Behind Seamless Integration
The GTT Envision digital experience platform is the comprehensive visibility and orchestration layer that has transformed SD-WAN deployment and ongoing management. Built on our Tier 1 backbone, Envision connects, orchestrates, virtualizes and automates enterprise networks.
How does EnvisionDX support faster resolution?
- Real-time insights on network health: A single digital gateway provides end-to-end visibility and management of your network, allowing continuous monitoring and mitigation of network performance metrics like latency, jitter and packet loss.
- Role-based access and alerting: Customizable environments allow teams to manage finances, functions and features independently with multi-dimensional monitoring and intelligent alerts.
- Direct service management via EnvisionDX: EnvisionDX enables the on-demand customization of network services, including scale-up or scale-down capabilities. API-enabled management and omnichannel messaging bring flexible control and a unified interface eliminates the need for multiple vendor management systems.
How does EnvisionCORE streamline SD-WAN policy orchestration?
- Centralized configuration: EnvisionCORE serves as the central hub for orchestrating virtualized network functions globally. This single platform to manage connectivity, security and networking eliminates the complexity of managing multiple systems, vendors and sites.
- Integrated policy enforcement across regions: Scalable connectivity and security infrastructure are integral to GTT Tier 1 backbone, allowing consistent policy enforcement regardless of global location. Global orchestration capabilities span six continents through 25 Network Function Virtualization (NFV) nodes.
- Templates and automation: Pre-defined configuration templates speed up deployment processes. EnvisionDX automates the deployment of orchestrated network functions globally, and service chaining capabilities enable multiple network functions on a single network appliance.
GTT SD-WAN in Action
Nothing beats real-world deployments to demonstrate our ability to deliver measurable business value through improved performance, cost optimization and enhanced operational efficiency.
Hansgrohe achieved remarkable results when deploying GTT Managed SD-WAN across more than 40 global locations. This deployment increased available bandwidth capacity by 187% while reducing cost per megabyte by 10%. “GTT Managed SD-WAN gives us the additional flexibility and bandwidth we need and the ability to prioritize our most critical communication to ensure our people can collaborate efficiently,” says Mattias Goetz, Head of Infrastructure & Operations at Hansgrohe.
HMY Group’s transition from MPLS to GTT Managed SD-WAN doubled bandwidth at each location on an implementation that spanned four continents and was completed on time with zero technical issues or downtime. SD-WAN brought HMY a great deal more for their IT budget. They have doubled their bandwidth available at each site while reducing network spend by 22%.
Why Enterprises Choose GTT for SD-WAN Deployment
Global enterprises choose GTT for their SD-WAN deployment because of our unmatched combination of network scale, security capabilities and management simplification through the Envision platform. GTT brings other concrete benefits, such as:
- Unparalleled global reach: with 450+ PoPs across six continents, we have service delivery capabilities in 170+ countries, all connected by our Tier 1 backbone.
- Superior network performance: That Tier 1 network integration ensures optimal routing for all of your network traffic, with 99.999% reliability through our redundant infrastructure and intelligent routing.
- Comprehensive security integration: GTT has 10 global Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) scrubbing centers providing 24/7 protection, while our Security Operations Center provides advanced threat detection and mitigation.
- Simplified management through Envision: Single platform orchestration eliminates the complexity of multiple vendors, while providing visibility, insights and control across your entire network.
Ready for a Seamless SD-WAN Experience?
GTT transforms SD-WAN integration from a complex technical challenge into a streamlined business solution. Our customer-first mentality, managed approach, global infrastructure and Envision platform combine to deliver the performance, security and simplicity modern enterprises demand. With our proven track record of delivering across diverse industries and geographies, GTT stands ready to accelerate your network transformation.
Learn more about GTT SD-WAN or connect with a GTT expert today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How does SD-WAN improve user experience?
SD-WAN improves user experience and application performance by reducing latency and ensuring reliable connectivity through intelligent packet routing. It further supports seamless remote access, provides centralized network controls and delivers fast, more secure access to cloud services and critical business applications across endpoints.
What is required to implement SD-WAN?
Implementing SD-WAN requires compatible edge devices or virtual appliances, a centralized management platform, and reliable internet connectivity. Organizations must also assess network architecture, configure policies for traffic routing and security, and ensure integration with existing infrastructure and cloud services.
How can businesses deploy SD-WAN with minimal disruption?
Partner with an experienced provider like GTT for a phased rollout starting at non-critical sites. Integrate with existing network infrastructure using pre-configured policies and centralized management, using real-time monitoring to quickly address any performance or connectivity issues that arise. Zero-touch provisioning simplifies the deployment process.
Why choose GTT for SD-WAN deployment?
GTT offers a fully managed SD-WAN solution backed by a secure, cloud-optimized Tier 1 network. Our flexible, carrier-agnostic approach delivers optimized performance, cost-efficiency, and scalability tailored to each business's unique needs.
What is the role of the Envision platform in SD-WAN?
The Envision platform plays a key role in real-time visibility, analytics and control across the network using EnvisionDX. It enables centralized monitoring and performance insights, helping businesses optimize application delivery, troubleshoot issues quickly, and maintain a high-quality user experience.
