PriceInsight™ delivers the latest BT SD-WAN Pricing

SD-WAN provides the fundamental connectivity between branch-office locations. To fully enable digital transformation, SD-WAN devices need to securely connect to cloud resources. The enabler to network security is SASE (Secure Access Service Edge), which is a framework provided by Gartner to ensure all businesses implement the required overlay to mitigate against combined network and security threats.

BT SD-WAN Solution Features

• Dynamic Multipath Optimisation automatically selects the best path based on live network conditions to maintain application performance and reliability

• Centralised orchestration and management offer a single interface for monitoring and managing network settings to simplify network operations

• Application prioritisation allows bandwidth allocation for critical applications to ensure consistent performance across sites

• Zero Trust Network Access validates every connection before granting access to reduce unauthorised entry risks

• End-to-end segmentation separates critical data to support security and compliance requirements

• Cloud Integration through Cloud OnRamp provides streamlined access to cloud applications to support cloud-oriented businesses

• Real-time visibility and analytics through tools like VMware’s vManage offer insights into network performance to identify improvement areas

• Multi-platform compatibility supports a range of vendors including VMware Cisco Meraki and Prisma

SASE Security Solution Features

• Unified threat protection integrates firewalls intrusion prevention and threat intelligence to address security risks

• Cloud-based security delivers secure access to applications and data from any location with scalable cloud-native security

• Data loss prevention monitors and manages data flow to protect sensitive information and prevent unauthorised sharing

• Secure Web Gateway blocks harmful web content and enforces internet policies for robust protection in remote environments

• Endpoint protection safeguards devices and applications to prevent attacks crucial for distributed workforces

• Identity and Access Management provides secure authentication with single sign-on and multi-factor verification

• Zero Trust Security Model requires verification for all users and devices applying least-privilege access principles to reduce risks

• Global Fabric enables secure multi-cloud connectivity and infrastructure management in a programmable cloud-centric network

BT is recognised for their expertise across managed services, led by their Northern Ireland Belfast Global Network Operations Centre. Managed services can be adapted to include almost every element of the solution, including the LAN and SD-WAN edge devices. BT will also support device configuration for your remote workforce and home workers. The team also recognise that some control may be required by your own IT team. Co-managed offers a hybrid approach where your team can leverage the configuration and deployment expertise of BT, but you will also retain the ability to make simpler adds, moves, and changes. Where full control is required, your business can opt for a DIY approach where BT will source and secure SD-WAN appliances.

The administration of your BT-SD WAN service is brought together by the management interface. Capabilities include site-by-site inventory, remote user inventory deployment and configuration settings, support ticket requests, adds, moves, and changes, reporting and statistics. This management and visibility are the enablers to an agile network, as you will be able to see trends and insights such as security breaches and patches that are required, ultimately offering the solution needed to successfully support your business. With comprehensive reporting, you can utilise aspects of your SD-WAN solution to improve network performance and network security.

BT is committed to continuous improvement and technological advancement. With the acceleration of AI features, the team is creating new and innovative platform features to make your IT team more agile and resilient to issues such as network degradation or security threats.

BT is advancing its SD-WAN capabilities with a focus on integrating security, scalability, and flexibility. The partnership with Fortinet is a good example of where BT’s approach to merging secure SD-WAN with simplified management aims to reduce network complexity while enhancing security. The overall roadmap is looking at further features to support multi-cloud environments with network security overlays. The majority of organisations are managing hybrid environments and cloud-based services. BT provides partnerships with numerous SD-WAN vendors to best fit your WAN architecture requirements now and in the future.

The integration of Network Function Virtualisation (NFV) and Software-Defined Networking (SDN) in BT’s roadmap demonstrates a shift toward more autonomous and self-managing network solutions, which should allow organisations to have greater control over network adjustments and user bandwidth.

BT’s SD-WAN offerings are built with hybrid capabilities to support diverse deployment needs, including multi-cloud, remote, and on-premises configurations. This capability aims to simplify WAN architecture while optimising performance to enable businesses to blend private (MPLS) and public networks (such as leased lines, broadband, or 4G) to suit the needs of each branch office, home worker, or remote user. All underlay connectivity services are supported by dynamically routing traffic based on real-time conditions to improve resilience and application availability.

BT leverages partnerships with technology vendors to support direct cloud connectivity for AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud environments. These partnerships include Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) features, integrating security and connectivity to optimise access for remote and in-office users. BT SD-WAN orchestration through their cloud-native interface allows for application management and fast provisioning across sites as the enabler for hybrid working environments.

BT's multi-cloud integration is provided by its Connected Cloud Edge solution, developed with Equinix’s infrastructure to offer customers multi-cloud connectivity through data centres called Carrier Neutral Facilities (CNFs).

By linking BT's network with Equinix Fabric, this approach allows businesses to manage multi-cloud environments without needing individual cloud connections. Available in an expanding number of locations, Connected Cloud Edge also includes integrated SD-WAN and firewall security, making it simple for organisations to secure and manage data flows across various cloud environments.

BT leverages partnerships with technology vendors to support direct cloud connectivity for AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud environments. These partnerships include Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) features, integrating security and connectivity to optimise access for remote and in-office users. BT SD-WAN orchestration through its cloud-native interface allows for application management and fast provisioning across sites as the enabler for hybrid working environments.

BT’s Global Fabric network-as-a-service (NaaS) model supports on-demand, application-specific connectivity across cloud providers, including AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. This model is supported by custom routing options to optimise network costs and align with regulatory standards. The NaaS architecture contributes to sustainability by using 79% less electricity than previous global networks.

Netify and BT offer professional services and support for SD-WAN deployments from pricing to design and implementation. The Netify team considers every stage of SD-WAN implementation, including design, rollout, and optimisation. Our team works closely with customers to design network architecture that fits specific requirements**,** which include areas such as network segmentation, firewall policies, and quality of service settings.

During implementation, BT assigns a dedicated project management team that coordinates and oversees the deployment with the aim of minimising disruptions and meeting project timelines. This team includes trained support staff and experts who provide ongoing optimisation to continuously adjust SD-WAN configurations to ensure users' applications perform as expected. This approach also improves network visibility and threat detection, helping clients maintain network security across all sites.

• Jaguar Land Rover Automotive BT SD-WAN deployment across 600 sites improved cloud application performance and reduced WAN costs by 50 percent

• H&M Retail BT implemented SD-WAN across 2000 stores in over 30 countries optimising traffic for POS and security systems and enhancing network performance by approximately 30 percent

• DBS Bank Finance For 300 branches across Asia BT’s SD-WAN improved deployment speed reduced network issues by 60 percent and supported the bank’s secure digital growth

• Tesco Retail BT SD-WAN in 800 stores achieved a 40 percent cost reduction compared to MPLS while enhancing cloud app performance

• Ixom Chemical Manufacturing BT’s SD-WAN enabled connection across 45 global sites cutting costs by 25 percent and improving cloud application access for 1000 employees

• Large European Bank Finance BT’s Agile Connect SD-WAN offered a cost-effective cloud-ready infrastructure in 30 plus countries providing enhanced network control and visibility

• SME Solutions Various Sectors BT’s Meraki SD-WAN setup offers single-site affordable connectivity with features including Wi-Fi and IoT support especially suited for retail and local service businesses

• Global Business Services Professional Services Through VMware SD-WAN a client with 12000 employees achieved a 55 percent cost reduction for remote work setups using plug-and-play SD-WAN Edge devices