Verizon, BCN Sign SD-WAN Agreements with VMware, Bigleaf

Verizon Business has deepened its multivendor SD-WAN strategy by adding VMware to its portfolio.

New Jersey-based Verizon’s managed WAN service now includes VMware SD-WAN. VMware joins Cisco, Versa Networks and HPE Aruba in teaming with Verizon for SD-WAN.

VMware SD-WAN belongs to the VMware SASE portfolio. Executives describe the offering as designed for “cloud-ready enterprises.” The solution provides edge devices at customer sites and centralized orchestration through the Verizon Enterprise Center. It also includes SD-WAN gateways that serve as points-of-presence across the globe.

Verizon’s Massimo Peselli

“These last two years, we’ve seen massive adoption of managed SD-WAN transformation of the WAN edge,” said Massimo Peselli, Verizon’s senior vice president of global enterprise. “This new VMware managed service solution increases optionality for customers seeking centralized intelligence and efficiencies at the WAN edge and is yet another example of Verizon Business partnering to offer best of breed solutions that help our customer’s transformation needs.”

Verizon has partnered with multiple vendors for SD-WAN. Its partnership with Cisco, which bought Viptela, started in 2015 and expanded last year. Verizon began partnering with Versa Networks in 2017. Finally, it signed an agreement with Silver Peak Systems, which HPE later purchased. VMware represents another acquired pure-play SD-WAN vendor. It bought VeloCloud Networks in 2018.

While VMware/VeloCloud teamed with various service providers, including AT&T and Windstream, it hadn’t signed with Verizon until now.

VMware’s Craig Connors

Craig Connors, vice president and general manager of VMware SASE, said Verizon is “streamlining its enterprise customers’ transition to the edge.”

“The next generation of modern apps will run at the edge and enterprises must modernize their underlying network to support them. VMware SD-WAN, a part of our broader SASE platform, provides a more reliable and secure connection between the enterprise network and modern apps, ultimately improving end-user experience,” Connors said.

New BCN SD-WAN Offering

BCN, formerly known as BCN Telecom, deepened its portfolio with a new SD-WAN offering.

Partners working with BCN can now sell SD-WAN from Bigleaf Networks. The solutions will harness the connectivity options BCN leverages from more than 75 different network partners.

Analysts have described Bigleaf’s as a flexible plug-and-play platform, Bigleaf joins existing BCN SD-WAN partners VMware and Cisco Meraki. Adding another solution helps meet more customer use cases.

Broadvoice’s Eric Brooker

“With more applications running across customer networks and growing pressures on resources, BCN customers need a cloud network powered by intelligent software to optimize the performance of their critical communication and collaboration applications,” said Eric Brooker, who runs Bigleaf’s agent channel.

BCN’s Julian Jacquez

In addition, BCN president and chief operating officer Julian Jacquez said his company will provide technical engineering resources to help partners design solutions.

“More than ever before, BCN can satisfy a full spectrum of requirements in the areas of connectivity, prioritization and conditioning, security, and application awareness,” Jacquez said.