Verizon Business, Cisco bolster enterprise agility with managed service offerings

Rhea-AI Summary

Verizon Business is enhancing its Network as a Service (NaaS) strategy by adding new Cisco managed SD WAN services that support 4G and 5G connectivity. This move is designed to help enterprises scale and adapt to customer demands, leveraging Verizon's robust network capabilities. The solutions include managed Cisco SD WAN for specific router families, a performance suite that enhances security and observability, and cloud collaboration services integrated with Cisco Webex. Verizon's leadership in the SD WAN market is further highlighted by its recent accolades in the industry.

Positive

• Enhanced Network as a Service with new Cisco SD WAN services supports 4G and 5G connectivity.
• Solutions aim to improve enterprise scalability and adaptability to customer demands.
• Offers include managed Cisco SD WAN for Catalyst and ISR router families.
• Performance suite includes Cisco Umbrella for security and ThousandEyes for network observability.
• Recognized as a leader in managed SD WAN services by IDC.

Negative

• None.

What you need to know:

• Verizon Business is bolstering its Network as a Service digitization strategy with the addition of new Cisco managed SD WAN services, including support for 5G connectivity.
• The solutions leverage Verizon’s 4G and 5G networks, and provide enterprises with an enhanced ability to scale, remain agile and future-proof operations. 

NEW YORK, Dec. 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Verizon Business is enhancing its Network as a Service (NaaS) digitization strategy with the addition of Cisco managed SD WAN services, including options for 4G/5G connectivity. Automation, artificial intelligence, 5G and Real Time Enterprise (RTE)¹ present new requirements and complexities, which test the limits of legacy information technology (IT) infrastructures. With these new solutions, enterprises can leverage Verizon’s 4G and 5G networks, as well as the network as a service strategy, giving them the ability to scale, adopt the latest technology and remain agile to meet ever-changing customer demands.

“Organizations are challenged with finding flexible and secure networking solutions that enable the rapid transition to hybrid cloud and hybrid work while maximizing application performance for their users,” said Massimo Peselli, senior vice president, Global Enterprise, Verizon Business. “The addition of these Cisco solutions builds on our longstanding history of co-innovation and provides customers with the agility and scalability to meet today’s needs while future-proofing their operations.”

Besides enabling hybrid connectivity, Verizon’s NaaS with Cisco SD WAN solutions helps simplify operations, employ an asset light model, optimize resources, allow network and security convergence, improve user experience from application-aware routing, and increase business agility. 

The new solutions include: 

• Managed Cisco SD WAN for the Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms Family, and Integrated Services Router (ISR) 1000 and 4000 series, including management of the Cisco cellular Pluggable Interface Modules (PIM), and Cisco Catalyst Cellular Gateways. This new offer supports 4G and 5G cellular for gigabit connectivity to distributed cloud workloads. For a limited time, Verizon will provide customers one free Cisco Catalyst Cellular Gateway with each new Cisco SD WAN 3-year device license purchase.
  

• Verizon is delivering a Cisco SD WAN performance suite including Cisco Umbrella for cloud security, Duo for zero trust application access, and Thousand Eyes for network observability. This suite delivers the protection and visibility to enhance SD WAN security and performance while reducing customer costs. 
  

• Cloud collaboration services with carrier-grade quality, reliability and security via Verizon’s fully private connection to Cisco Webex Calling and Webex Contact Center. Customers can capitalize on this private integration through wireline and wireless networks with Verizon Private IP and Verizon Wireless Private Network Traffic Management. 
  

"In a hybrid work world, application performance and security are critical. We are committed to making it simpler for IT teams to deliver the best customer experiences,” said Todd Nightingale, EVP and GM, Enterprise Networking and Cloud, Cisco. “Verizon’s new Cisco managed SD WAN offer delivers cloud security and 5G capabilities, reduces complexity for customers, and enables private network connections to Cisco's Webex service cloud."

Verizon was positioned as a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Managed SD WAN 2020 Vendor Assessment (doc #US45837420, August 2020) and was recognized as the Global Managed Services Partner of the Year at Cisco’s 2020 Partner Summit, reflecting Verizon’s status as a leading Cisco managed services partner. Verizon is also deploying Cisco 4G ISR routers to 1,700 Verizon Wireless stores.

Visit the Verizon Business NaaS landing page to learn more.

¹ The advent of 5G, the Internet of Things (IoT), along with SDN, video, security telematics, and edge computing, will expand to become a foundational enabler of the real-time enterprise (RTE), in which businesses can exploit information, actions and events the moment they occur. 

About Verizon 
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) was formed on June 30, 2000 and is one of the world’s leading providers of technology and communications services. Headquartered in New York City and with a presence around the world, Verizon generated revenues of $128.3 billion in 2020. The company offers data, video and voice services and solutions on its award-winning networks and platforms, delivering on customers’ demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity, security and control. 

About Cisco
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in technology that powers the Internet. Cisco inspires new possibilities by reimagining your applications, securing your enterprise, transforming your infrastructure, and empowering your teams for a global and inclusive future. Discover more on The Network and follow us on Twitter at @Cisco.

Cisco and the Cisco logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. A listing of Cisco's trademarks can be found at www.cisco.com/go/trademarks. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company.

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Media contact:
Kyle Ragonese 
kyle.ragonese@verizon.com 
732.236.3526 
@KyleRagonese

FAQ

What is Verizon's new SD WAN service offering?

Verizon's new service includes Cisco managed SD WAN with support for 4G and 5G connectivity, aiming to boost enterprise scalability and agility.

How does Verizon's SD WAN solution enhance enterprise operations?

The solution simplifies operations, optimizes resources, and improves user experience through application-aware routing.

What advantages does Cisco provide in Verizon's SD WAN offering?

Cisco's SD WAN performance suite includes security and observability tools, enhancing overall network performance and reducing costs for customers.

When was Verizon Business's new Cisco SD WAN service announced?

The announcement was made on December 1, 2021.

What recognition has Verizon received in the managed SD WAN market?

Verizon was positioned as a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Managed SD WAN 2020 Vendor Assessment.