In the fast-paced world of digital transformation, networks play a fundamental role in business operations and success. To remain competitive and efficient, organizations seek innovative solutions that allow them to adapt quickly to changing market demands and meet the needs of their users. This is where Cisco+ NaaS (Network as a Service) emerges as a disruptive and transformative offering.
According to IDC, NaaS is “an emerging acquisition model for consuming network infrastructure through a flexible operating expense (OpEx) subscription that includes hardware, software, management tools, licenses, and lifecycle services.”
But what exactly is Cisco+ NaaS?
Cisco+ NaaS is a solutions offering provided by Cisco Systems, a leader in networking and communications technologies. Essentially, NaaS is a network service delivery model where network resources and capabilities are offered and managed over the internet or a dedicated network infrastructure. Instead of investing in acquiring and managing their own network infrastructure, organizations can access network services flexibly and on demand, paying only for what they use. One of the most common questions in any survey is what is most important to include in a NaaS offering. An overwhelming majority, 48%, responded that it was network lifecycle management. Network resilience (42%) and network monitoring and troubleshooting (38%) also ranked among the top three.
Resist or embrace. In my opinion, these are two of the main choices we all have when it comes to the change and evolution of our work roles. For years—decades, to be more precise—network administrators, architects, engineers, and strategists have experienced the familiarity of generally stable job descriptions. Meanwhile, other roles in other sectors continued to evolve, adapting to new organizational models and technologies.
But in recent years, network infrastructure models and operational tools have changed significantly, creating entirely new roles. For example, cloud engineer, machine learning engineer, SASE manager, and cloud integration architect. Where did they come from?
Now ask yourself, how much time do network professionals spend on these activities? Then there are the day-to-day tasks of network monitoring and troubleshooting. Again, what percentage of a network professional’s time do these consume? If we consider only these elements together, it’s fair to say that one of the main reasons new roles are being created is because the requirements for managing the network in these emerging network models are changing. As I mentioned earlier, given the time, many network managers will redirect their teams’ energies toward innovation and new projects.
What is Cisco’s vision for Cisco+?
Cisco’s vision for Cisco+ NaaS solutions is to combine best-in-class networking, security, and observability capabilities into a single, unified subscription service that is easy to consume and use, and most importantly, delivers an unparalleled experience.
On the path to NaaS, Cisco Plus will first focus on the Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) architecture. We will converge cloud networking and security with end-to-end observability, from the user to the application, across any cloud and network.
Cisco Plus NaaS will offer:
• Secure and transparent access to cloud applications and providers.
• Flexible delivery models, including pay-per-use or pay-as-you-grow options.
• End-to-end visibility, from the client to the application and the ISP.
• Unified policies to ensure access for the correct users.
• Comprehensive security, not assembled like another one-off solution.
• Real-time analytics that provide AI/ML-based information for tracking costs and performance.
• Expanding the API across the entire technology stack.
• Partners who provide added value and offer their services more quickly.
Benefits of Cisco+ NaaS:
• Business Agility: With Cisco+ NaaS, businesses can quickly adapt to changing business needs. They can deploy new network services and applications in minutes, enabling greater agility and responsiveness to emerging opportunities.
• Scalable Flexibility: NaaS-based network infrastructure is highly scalable. Businesses can increase or decrease network resources according to their needs, avoiding overload and maximizing operational efficiency.
• Cost Reduction: By outsourcing network management, organizations can significantly reduce capital expenditures associated with acquiring and maintaining network equipment and software. Furthermore, by paying only for the services they use, unnecessary spending is avoided.
• Simplified Management: Cisco takes responsibility for managing and maintaining the network infrastructure, freeing companies from complex tasks and allowing them to focus on their core business.
• Enhanced Security: As a service provider, Cisco implements advanced security solutions to protect the customer’s network and data against cyber threats.
• Experience and Expertise: As a leading company in network solutions, Cisco brings its vast experience and technical expertise to the delivery of high-quality and reliable network services.
The Future of Cisco+ NaaS:
As digital transformation continues to revolutionize how we do business, Cisco+ NaaS will continue to play a key role in the future of networking. NaaS is expected to expand and improve even further, offering increasingly sophisticated and personalized network services.
In conclusion, Cisco+ NaaS is a powerful solution that enables organizations to embrace the agility and flexibility required in today’s digital world. By outsourcing network management to Cisco, businesses can focus on growth and success, knowing their network infrastructure is in the hands of industry-leading experts. The network management revolution has arrived, and Cisco+ NaaS is leading the way to a more connected and efficient future.
Success Stories with Cisco+ NaaS:
Several companies across various sectors have already experienced the benefits of Cisco+ NaaS. From rapidly growing startups to established enterprises, all have found NaaS to be an efficient and agile way to manage their networks.
• Example 1: A tech startup was able to rapidly scale its network infrastructure as its user base grew exponentially. Cisco+ NaaS allowed it to launch new services without worrying about the underlying infrastructure.
• Example 2: A financial services company improved operational efficiency and reduced costs by migrating its network infrastructure to the cloud with Cisco+ NaaS. It also strengthened its security with Cisco’s integrated solutions.
In conclusion, Network as a Service (NaaS) is changing how organizations approach network connectivity and management. By offering agility, scalability, and greater flexibility to businesses, NaaS is becoming an attractive solution for those looking to simplify network management and focus on growth and digital transformation. However, as with any technology, it is essential to weigh the benefits and challenges before fully embracing this approach in an organization’s network strategy.
Written by: Christian Quesada Morales – Telecommunications Engineer
