Windstream, Fortinet Expand SD-WAN Solution, Add Managed Service

Windstream Enterprise just attached a managed network service to its Fortinet SD-WAN solution.

Windstream says customers can buy SD-WAN Concierge to complement the Fortinet Secure SD-WAN platform. The vendors started their SD-WAN partnership last year and have garnered positive reviews, according to Windstream Enterprise chief marketing officer Mike Flannery. Therefore, the “logical next step” was to include the managed service.

Windstream’s Mike Flannery

“We found our high-touch managed service resonated with customers, and extending SD-WAN Concierge to the Fortinet platform was a natural fit,” Flannery said. “The co-management through the WE Connect portal and mobile app, along with their technical service manager, helps customers migrate from a [do-it-yourself] mentality to utilizing a managed network communications service provider.”

Windstream’s Second SD-WAN Solution

Windstream first launched SD-WAN Concierge in 2017 for its VeloCloud-powered SD-WAN solution. The company touted the fully managed service as a way to proactively monitor and optimize network environments. The features include a technical service manager and other technical resources.

Fortinet’s John Maddison

John Maddison, Fortinet’s executive vice president of products, said bundling Fortinet Secure SD-WAN with SD-WAN Concierge provides “unparalleled security” and a strong managed network solution.

“Fortinet and Windstream are both key members of [Metro Ethernet Forum] and share a commitment to complying with the highest industry standards for performance, assurance and agility, with Fortinet Secure SD-WAN recently achieving MEF 3.0 SD-WAN certification,” said Maddison, who also serves as chief marketing officer.

Windstream scored fifth in Vertical Systems Group’s U.S. Carrier Managed SD-WAN Services leaderboard.

Windstream also expanded its agreement with Avaya this summer.

In other news, Fortinet recently unveiled a multicloud version of its SD-WAN solution.