Software: SDN support split; workforce management to benefit from cloud

—Juniper Networks released details from its “Software-Defined Networking Progress Report,” which claims there are now two camps in terms of the adoption of SDN technology: those that plan to adopt SDN and those that don’t.
The company said its report found a near split between businesses surveyed in their plans to implement SDN, with slightly over half of the 400 IT decision makers saying they do plan on adopting SDN, while just under half saying they had no plans. The survey was conducted in July by Wakefield Research.
For those that do plan on adopting SDN, Juniper’s survey noted that 74% plan on doing so within the next year, with 30% saying they are going to make the move in the next month. One-fourth of those that plan on adopting SDN said they expect the biggest benefit from the technology to come from improved network performance and efficiency; with 19% expecting simplified network operations; and 13% expecting cost savings on operations will be the biggest benefit.
As for challenges, the survey found cost was a concern for half of decision makers; 35% cited integration concerns; 34% potential security issues; and 28% were concerned about a lack of skills from existing employees.
A report released earlier this week by International Data Corp. claimed the move towards network virtualization through such technologies as SDN, network function virtualization and cloud were set to revolutionize the telecom space.
“Despite budget concerns and questions about the ability to execute on the network virtualization vision, [communication service providers], telecom vendors and partners are all embracing potential opportunities,” explained Elisabeth Rainge, research VP for Communications Service Provider Operations at IDC. “Network virtualization for telecom represents some significant challenges, but the upside is extremely high. And, while not everyone will reap the benefits of this profound sea change (e.g., entrenched telecom equipment manufacturers), IDC sees an evolution of infrastructure that is already underway.”
–Workforce management solutions are set to be dominated by cloud-based software, biometric terminals and mobile applications, according to a new white paper from IHS Technology.
The white paper, conveniently titled “Five Global Trends Shaping the Future of Workforce-Management Solutions,” noted “such trends increasingly point to a pattern where automated or remote systems are taking over individual and locally situated responses. These dynamics, in turn, can either generate significant growth opportunities for those that take advantage and innovate accordingly, or herald widespread displacement for the ones that fail to act.”
IHS singled out cloud-based software as having a particular “rosy” future, noting the software-as-a-service platform is expected to nearly double from $539 million in revenues last year to nearly $1 billion in 2018.
“The adoption of SaaS will be driven by the strategic advantages offered to using cloud-based software,” said Samuel Grinter, analyst for enterprise resource planning at IHS. “The cloud enables customers to centralize management of workforce solutions over several sites, to outsource the information technology infrastructure required to host the software, and to pay for the solution as an operational expense rather than as a capital investment.”
–Mobility management software solutions provider NetMotion Wireless reported a partnership with Mexico-based enterprise mobility reseller Mobizen to expand NetMotion’s Mobility and Locality platform to potential customers in Mexico.
NetMotion cited the growing adoption of smartphones by enterprises in Mexico as a reason for expanding its platform, noting “enterprise adoption, in turn, is driving the need for secure and reliable access to mission-critical applications and data, especially for mobile workers needing access outside of wired corporate networks.”
—Ubiquiti Networks unveiled its UniFi VoIP offering, which targets enterprise customers with a mobility platform embedded into Google Android-powered smartphones. The system is managed by a PBX integrated into the UniFi SDN control plane.
Ubiquiti said the devices tap into the Android 4.4.2 operating system, offering support for both Google Apps and Google Play, as well as supporting video conferencing capabilities. The SDN controller is designed to support enterprise features, including automated attendant; plug-and-Play SIP setup; call groups and conference call capabilities; voicemail; alerts to e-mail; and centralized call logs
Software is becoming an increasingly important part of telecommunication networks and deployments as both wired and wireless carriers look to add functionality to operations while increasing simplicity and reducing costs. RCR Wireless News is keeping an eye on recent developments through its weekly “Software” wrap up.
Make sure to check out the latest in telecom related software news at RCR Wireless News’ dedicated software page. Also, if you have telecom software news to share, please send it along to: dmeyer@rcrwireless.com.
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