VIEWPOINT
Unlocking the Power of Next-Generation Networks with Automation Advanced network automation solutions leverage AI and machine learning to comprehend network behaviours, deliver predictive analysis and provide advice to network operations teams by analysing meta-data and using model-driven network programmability.
Yarob Sakhnini Vice President, Emerging Markets, EMEA, Juniper Networks
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hile networks have typically formed the backbone of every modern organisation’s operation, in today’s rapidly transforming landscape, their significance has come under the spotlight. Yarob Sakhnini says that the introduction of new technologies, the rise of cyber-threats, and, most importantly, the urgent need to deliver a seamless customer experience that considers long-term sustainability, necessitate that enterprises rethink their network approach and strategy. In this context, network automation – the process of automating the planning, deployment, operations, and optimisation of networks and their services – is increasingly seen as essential. Remarkably, the worldwide market for network automation is expected to reach USD 9.56 billion by 2027, up from USD 2.78 billion in 2021.
The Pressing Need for Automation With legacy networks, enterprises face challenges with device activation and onboarding taking days or weeks, service delivery breaking, and the threat of network failure. Many enterprises in the Middle East have adopted the cloud in some capacity or are transitioning to one to address these problems. As a result, now all networks, whether on-premises or “in the
cloud,” are expected to be highly reliable, flexible, and available with minimum interruptions. Network automation is a game-changer in the toolbox of IT teams. According to Yarob Sakhnini Advanced network automation solutions leverage AI and machine learning to comprehend network behaviours, deliver predictive analysis and provide advice to network operations teams by analysing meta-data and using model-driven network programmability. Automation solutions can be configured to remedy network issues even before they arise. While automation by itself does not necessarily diminish the complexity of the underlying infrastructure, it can effectively mask that complexity from operators and end users. Therefore, organisations can boost network resilience, reduce downtime and free up valuable time for IT professionals to focus on business innovation rather than maintenance and provisioning networks. Thanks to enhanced network visibility and control, IT operations can become more flexible and responsive to change.
Effective Automation and How to Get There The challenge of network automation is that, although it simplifies every aspect of network operations when executed properly, it requires more than just the push of a button to be fully realised. Many organisations have tried to be creative but with underwhelming results. According to Analysys Mason, only three percent of organizations surveyed have been fully satisfied with their Do-It-Yourself (DIY) in-house network automation approach. And many organisations relying on legacy vendor
automation solutions struggle to deliver real business outcomes. With the right partners on board, organisations can confidently embark on their network automation journey. Although the cost of such an investment is not negligible, the returns can be remarkable. A Total Economic Impact study conducted by Forrester Consulting found that the potential return on investment (ROI) that organisations can achieve by deploying a network automation solution can be as high as 320 percent over three years.
The Future of Network Automation The future of network automation is intentdriven and AI-enabled, and in some cases, cloud-delivered. The simplicity of a SaaS automation platform reduces deployment times, translating directly to faster time-to-market and increased revenues. Once deployed, SaaS automation platforms allow organisations to add new use cases faster than with traditional approaches, while saving in hardware, staffing, and operational costs compared to installing and maintaining their solutions are significant. When it comes to AI, it makes sense for organisations to use the cloud so they can tap into the collective intelligence from anonymised data, machine learning models, and knowledge from a vast array of sources. Enterprises that wish to harness the advantages of networking technology advancements must accelerate their network automation efforts. However, for automation to be successful and yield successful results, it must break traditional silos and cover all network infrastructure elements, teams, and operations support systems. Ultimately, this is only feasible with flexible, open standards-based solutions that have demonstrated their ability to deliver best-in-class experiences.
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