Wireless powers business apps- SD-WAN, VoIP, VPN and more!

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Today we’re asking more and more of our enterprise networks – support reliable access to a large number of cloud apps and connect all our IoT devices and branch offices. Oh, and we also want fast speeds for remote workers while keeping our data secure at all times. Whew!

That’s quite a list of demands. Luckily, software-defined and LTE-pervasive wide-area networks (WANs) have stepped up to the plate. But some business leaders remain skeptical. So, beyond the hype, is wireless WAN really ready for the big leagues? Can cellular-based connections support mission-critical business applications? What about running Unified Communication (UC) platforms or VoIP? Or can they support Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to secure corporate data and applications? The answer is simple – yes, and yes. Check out these results from Cradelepoint’s recent State of the WAN report for evidence playing out in the enterprise. (Source: Cradlepoint).

  • 52% of the organizations surveyed are leveraging cellular connections, including 4G LTE today are using it as a primary connection. Moreover, 29% plan to shortly.
  • 45% of organizations rely on LTE for mobile offices in vehicles.
  • 33% of organizations are actively working toward using 5G for enterprise networking.

At Broad Sky Networks, we want to set the record straight about 4G LTE and cellular-based SD-WAN. If your customers are curious about the changing role of wireless WANs, consider these key points.

  • Wireless WANs, VPNs, and VoIP – Because an SD-WAN is a virtualized WAN, the technology ‘bonds’ transport links between sites using the best path available to route traffic – T1, DSL, or a wireless 4G LTE connection. The appliance finds the ideal route suited for the application, including for VPN and VoIP, based on QoS requirements and other user-defined protocols. These capabilities mean companies can take advantage of uninterrupted real-time data transmission in 4G LTE wireless networks to run business-critical applications with confidence.
  • Wireless networks for failover or primary connections – It used to be that wireless service was a ‘second tier’ connection with users experiencing frequent dropped calls, or down service. Today, however, wireless networks consistently deliver excellent speed and reliability. Cellular connections are also immune to instances where wired lines get cut, or ripped out accidentally. Another benefit is that wireless connections are resilient and generally available during inclement weather, unlike wired connections. Today, in many cases, customers are often reporting better speeds and performance of 4G LTE, compared to wired connections like T1, DSL or cable internet, making wireless ideal for both primary or secondary links.
  • Launching IoT and M2M deployments –  Whether it’s digital signage, security cameras, ATMs, or remote monitoring sensors, today’s IoT and M2M deployments are anywhere and everywhere. The good news is that these deployments help organizations seize new business opportunities, streamline operations, and reduce costs. The challenging part is keeping these devices connected to the internet cost-effectively and reliably. 4G LTE wireless links are the ideal counterpart for connected devices because they provide the visibility, security, and control that IoT requires, minus high costs and complexity.
  • Don’t forget about branch networking – In a distributed branch office environment, nearly all tools and applications now require an internet connection. Mobile workers and branch offices also need internet access quickly, and they don’t have time to wait weeks or months for connections to get installed. 4G LTE-enabled branch routers meet all of these goals, plus many are plug-and-play, with cloud-based configuration capabilities. Cellular-based connections also minimize the need for branch networks to rely on several regional ISPs for connectivity, making vendor management less of a hassle.

What’s coming with 4G LTE and 5G?

At a time when businesses are requiring more and more bandwidth for mobile connectivity and cloud-based apps, wireless WANs are a welcome shift from traditional networking. SD-WAN and wireless networks are now advanced enough to meet companies’ growing demands –  connecting people, places, and things so businesses can continue to innovate.

Looking ahead, Gigabit-class LTE is bringing even higher-speeds and lower-latency connections. These characteristics make Gigabit-class LTE an essential building block to 5G. If you’d like help talking to your customers about the benefits of 4G LTE – and soon to be 5G – talk to Broad Sky Networks! We’ll break down a plan for augmenting traditional MPLS-only WANs with wireless connections – either as a failover or primary link – without reinventing the wheel. We know the ins and outs of 4G LTE and wireless SD-WAN, so we can help customers make the decision that’s best for them. Don’t wait! Your customers will high-five you!

Extreme 25 Business Satellite

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Today, enterprises rely on high-speed internet to support a dynamic and productive workforce. Employees require fast and extremely reliable access to all those applications that drive the business forward and help employees meet and exceed customer expectations. From email and SaaS applications, to inventory, point-of-sale applications and time and attendance solutions hosted in the cloud, each has become a critical driver of business productivity wherever business gets done. Not only that, Unified Communication and Collaboration (UC&C) applications, that enable file sharing, VoIP phone access, and video and audio conferencing bring teams together to support better decision making and better customer service.

However, getting reliable broadband internet with redundancy and backup options can be a challenge for those remote organizations doing business outside of the city limits. Business with dispersed offices and those that are out of the reach of fiber and cable or those limited by slow DSL need an alternative. Luckily there’s a next-generation option: high-speed business satellite services. Extreme 25 Business Satellite from Broad Sky Networks is a game changer for organizations across the U.S. because it offers speeds up to 25 Mbps x 3 Mbps as well as large data plans that can keep pace with the need for always-on internet connectivity. Broad Sky can also offer free equipment and installation for qualifying plans.

Take a fresh look at business satellite:

  • Perfect for remote offices– professional satellite installation is ideal for office buildings, gas stations, strip malls, restaurantss, warehouses, oil and green energy deployments or any business outside of the big city. Extreme 25 offers fast download speeds and upload speeds of 3 Mbps. Satellite connectivity and built-in path diversity also ensures a reliable and agile connection that can handle spikes in traffic. Extreme 25 also has back-ups in place because access runs over a hybrid of broadband satellite connections. This eliminates downtime and ensures business doesn’t stop just because one internet connection is out.
  • Reliable, always-on internet– A wide array of high-capacity satellites, including EchoStar XVII and EchoStar XIX use JUPITER™ high-throughput technology to optimize internet speed and performance for a fast, reliable internet experience on every application.
  • Big data plans– Advanced business satellite internet keeps business connected and growing with large daytime data options, even those over 500 GBs of data, and a large amount of anytime data that’s available 24/7. There’s also no hard data limits. Meaning, even if a customer exceeds their data limit because of several data intensive applications that month, connectivity won’t be cut off and costs won’t skyrocket. Instead, teams will stay connected and can use internet at reduced speeds until the next billing cycle. Broad Sky is able to offer customer large usage plans, higher than available from other providers. Free Equipment and Installation for qualifying plans, virtually eliminating CAPEX upfront.
  • Wi-Fi ready– With built-in Wi-Fi capabilities users can also connect wireless devices to business applications from wherever they are working. Whether for voice, data or broadband or video, advanced satellite internet delivers mobility options that today’s most competitive business demand. The satellite solution comes with an integrated Wi-Fi Modem that includes a modem Wi-Fi router. Dual-band 802.11ac technology delivers a strong, secure wireless connection across the business so users can use smart phones, mobile devices, tablets and laptops to access the applications they need most, whether they are accepting payment from a customer or re-ordering supplies from a supplier. *WiFi option can also be disabled if desired.

Today organizations with remote offices are no longer left with the tough decision of either costly T1 lines or slow DSL connections. Advanced satellite technology offered from Broad Sky networks can help businesses go confidently after new business and reach new customers, with reliable, always-on internet. If you’d like to learn more about how Broad Sky Networks Extreme 25 high-speed satellite internet can transform your business, email (sales@broadskynetworks.net) us or give us a call at (877) 291-9575.

4 Benefits of Cradlepoint’s NetCloud

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At a time when companies are embracing the cloud model and remote workers are more reliant on mobile connectivity than ever before, IT administrators are looking for new ways to build a truly connected enterprise while keeping costs in check. To get there, many companies are turning to next-generation cloud services and WAN solutions. Software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) and virtualization technologies are stepping up to fill this connectivity gap and in doing so they are transforming how business gets done.  

SD-WAN has been proven to reduce the cost and complexity of traditional LAN enterprise networks by automating the configuration of WAN routes. This traffic-steering capability optimizes pathways and reduces reliance on private IP connections. It does this by aggregating the best available connections at any given time. That means with an SD-WAN solution, connections are run over a hybrid of broadband options, from MPLS and broadband to 4G/LTE and even Wi-Fi networks. As a result, SD-WAN powered by software can deliver even more reliable and nimble connections that can handle spikes in demand and the need for always-on connectivity.

Those looking to reduce network complexity, hardware and operational costs, should consider cloud-based SD-WAN services which are taking software-defined WAN even further. Cradlepoint’s NetCloud model, for example, is a game changer because it combines a Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) platform that leverages cloud, SDN and Network Function Virtualization (NFV) technologies together with an Enterprise Cloud Manager platform. What does it all mean for you?

It means simplified cloud-based SDN management and zero-touch deployment of 4G LTE-enabled routers and wired and wireless broadband networks. These more adaptive networks offer best in class SD-WAN functionality, managed global network connectivity and more enterprise visibility, security and control.  Before making a move, review these benefits:  

  • Full BYOD, branch office, remote worker and M2M support- In 2020, IDC expects that 72% of the U.S. workforce will be mobile.That number is huge! That’s 105.4 million mobile workers in less than five years (Source: IDC). That means the need for secure and seamless mobile connectivity is more important than ever. Because NetClould’s model offers virtual cloud network with LAN emulation, enterprises can support this new mobile era with 4GLTE, SD-WAN and cloud services. This is ideal for those that require multi-WAN environments that use one or more LTE and Wi-Fi-as-WAN connections. From wherever work is being done, users will have the ability to gain fast access to all the tools they need, from any device. This could includes apps like unified communication and collaboration tools (UC&C), GSuite from Google, DropBox, POS systems and Office 365. Also, ‘things’ like kiosks, cameras, sensors and other Internet of Things (IOT) devices can be connected to the virtual cloud network and can be managed by the NetCloud Manager efficiently, saving potentially 90% compared to traditional MPLS connections.
  • Subscription-based services lower Capex and Opex- Because the NetCloud Engine requires no additional hardware or configuration, it can scale up and down instantly without making expensive hardware investments. It also reduces complexity because networks are self-organizing and self-healing with orchestration and automation capabilities. SD-WAN traffic steering capabilities mean smarter WAN selection (SWANS) based on application performance and quality of service (QoS). The secret is that the connection manager allows for granular control of when, why and how wireless WAN connections are utilized, which allows for load sharing and failover protection.
  • Single-pane-of-glass management- Cradlepoint’s Enterprise Cloud Manager enables zero-touch deployment for rapid installation and remote management of multi-WAN branch and IoT gateways. This means IT administrators can quickly configure and scale networks across branch offices. They can also deliver mobile connectivity in vehicles (i.e. mobile police force or delivery vehicles) or for remote users. The cloud-based management module also extends management capabilities to any primary router. Admins can perform remote diagnostics and monitor 3G/4G data usage. Users can set up application-aware policies and prepare proactive alerts regarding modem connectivity issues, data usage, failed login attempts, modem removal and unauthorized users or configuration changes. These security and management capabilities also improve the user experience, because connections are monitored from an adaptive QoS point of view.
  • Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) reduces complexity and improves security-Delivered as NaaS model, the NetCloud Engine is fueled by network and service virtualization software and powered by cloud infrastructure. That means customers can spin up virtual networks quickly. That virtual network then works just like a virtual LAN switch in the cloud, with the same level of utility and security of traditional LANs. A cloud-based SDN model is more secure because data is encrypted in transit and includes private IP address space. The NetCloud Engine expands the Active Directory (AD) domain to wherever work is being done.

Today’s smartest enterprises employ a truly global and mobile workforce that requires anytime-and-anywhere access to VPNs, applications, data and innovative collaboration tools. This climate requires a more intelligent and responsive network that delivers secure LAN-like connectivity, without the hassle, cost and complexity of traditional private network connections. Those networks delivered as-a-service that are software-defined and cloud-based like NetCloud delivered by Broad Sky Networks, meet these challenges and provide the ultimate level of network visibility, security and control.
If you’d like to learn more about how Broad Sky Networks and Cradlepoint’s NetCloud can help your business thrive, email info@broadskynetworks.net or give us a call at (877) 291-9575.

ZeroOutages Partners with Broad Sky Networks for Wireless Connectivity

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ZeroOutages (www.zeroutages.com) an industry leading supplier of SD-WAN services, and Broad Sky Networks (www.broadskynetworks.net), a Managed Service Provider of LTE based wireless internet, today announced their partnership to offer the ZeroOutages SD-WAN solution for wireless internet failover, primary internet, and out of band management.

This strategic partnership focuses on supporting ZeroOutages’ strategy, providing the best possible connection quality via fiber, cable, copper, or wireless connectivity. Broad Sky Networks’ router based connectivity provides real time diagnostics of signal quality, dual sim/dual carrier coverage, and the newest frequency aggregation “CAT6 LTE” which supports the highest speeds available from the major wireless providers.

“ZeroOutages SD-WAN enables the highest possible quality of service using its intelligent link aggregation and best path routing functionality,” stated Daren French, VP of Development for Zero Outages. “With Broad Sky Networks, we wanted to make available wireless connectivity that matched that singular focus on best in class connectivity and speed.”

“We’re excited to be part of the ZeroOutages solution for SD-WAN,” remarked Mike Mudd, President of Broad Sky Networks. “14 years of delivering wireless solutions has taught us that quality and design matter. Customers will notice the performance difference on our router powered wireless solution, providing the speed and reliability they need to run their business.”

ZeroOutages’ SD-WAN solutions include unique and patent-intelligent WAN routing with Site2Site and Dynamic Throttling technology that surpasses standard link QoS in order to deliver the highest possible throughput and quality on any Internet connection.

Broad Sky Networks Router Based connectivity for wireless delivers frequency aggregation on the new LTE-A platform and proven industrial grade routers supporting VPN tunneling, VoIP calling, and highly secure transactions.

The service is available today by combining ZeroOutages with Broad Sky Networks as an integrated service offering.
About Broad Sky Networks
Broad Sky is dedicated to providing cost-effective, timely and reliable solutions. We engineer the very best network service providers, hardware vendors and cloud services into robust solutions specific for each of our clients’ M2M/IoT requirements for primary or redundant connectivity. Simply said, Broad Sky puts more 9’s in your network uptime because they live and breathe wireless services.

About ZeroOutages
ZeroOutages is the world’s first carrier neutral managed service provider for WAN circuits. Providing Network Monitoring, QoS Optimization, and Redundancy for Internet and wide-area-network links. ZeroOutages ensures uptime for our customers through an array of patented WAN management tools.