The Enterprise Sd-Wan Dilemma To Diy Or Not To Diy

The Enterprise SD-WAN Dilemma: To DIY or Not to DIY research brief by AvidThink explores the strategic considerations enterprises face when modernizing their wide-area networks (WANs) to support digital transformation and cloud-driven business models. As businesses become more distributed, mobile, and data-intensive, traditional MPLS networks can no longer meet the demands of scale, cost, and agility. SD-WAN offers a software-defined alternative, providing centralized control, dynamic traffic routing, and the ability to leverage diverse, lower-cost connectivity options such as broadband, LTE, and Ethernet.

The brief examines both the benefits of SD-WAN—including traffic prioritization, zero-touch provisioning, and unified network policy—and the challenges of implementation, particularly whether to build and manage the SD-WAN in-house (DIY) or to rely on a managed service provider. It weighs the pros and cons of each approach, such as greater control and customization with DIY versus reduced operational burden and faster deployment with managed services.

Ultimately, the report advises organizations to evaluate their internal expertise, resource availability, and business objectives to make the right choice for their SD-WAN deployment.