2021

Integrate your Cloud, Core, and Edge

With the advent of IoT, pervasive mobility, and growing cloud service adoption, the network has become increasingly distributed, and the need for faster compute and connectivity at the edge has become more pronounced.

As organizations increasingly drive digital transformation initiatives and adopt hybrid multi-cloud, the network must be rearchitected to support new-age topologies. Hence, Network Transformation gains predominance. Network Transformation and re-architecture must play out at all the 3 points of presence of the Network – at the Network Core, Network Management layer, and the Network Edge.

Let us look at the significance of the Transformation at these 3 layers and the contribution that Sify is bringing at each of these points of presence.

Transformation at the Network Core

With Cloud adoption, Data Center is no more the Core of the network. As enterprises are moving their applications to the cloud on consumption-based models for enhanced business productivity, it has become important to secure connectivity to the Cloud and extend the Quality of Service to a hybrid multi-cloud environment. Hence, the transformation of the network at the Core is essential for improved agility, enhanced productivity, and scalability.

Sify’s Transformation Services at the Core are designed to help customers harness the true potential of cutting-edge cloud, digital, and network technologies. We help our customers accomplish their transformation goals and meet dynamic business requirements capably by providing Cloud Interconnect networks, which enable customers to establish direct connectivity between their private and public cloud infrastructure and fully realize the benefits of hybrid cloud architecture. With our Hyperscale Cloud partnerships and the Cloud Interconnect Networks, combined with expertise to deploy technologies like SDWAN & NFV, we hold a distinct level of expertise in network integration and transformation for a hybrid multi-cloud environment.

Transformation at the Network Management and Control Layer

As networks become more & more complex, organizations nowadays are leveraging multiple network service providers, and they have distributed nature of applications and end-users. This has resulted in a very complex network architecture. Moreover, monitoring and management of these complex and distributed networks and network elements have become very critical. Network Management & Control requires a distinct level of expertise, advanced tools, and automation platforms, and hence makes good business sense to outsource the management to an expert who has the benefit of scale, experience, and toolsets to deliver the same. The customer can in turn focus on his core business.

Empowered with a robust Network Operating Center, Sify offers a wide spectrum of Network Consolidation, Network Transformation, and Operations Outsourcing solutions. Sify can manage customer’s as-is WAN network architecture, provide 24×7 monitoring of links, undertake incident management, change management, and can yet ensure unified SLA management across multiple service providers in a single-window provision. Not only this, but Sify also helps customers in network study & assessment and consulting for Network Re-Architecture and Managed Services.

Transformation at the Network Edge

Network Edge is the bridge between an organization and its end customers to deliver enhanced user experience and employee productivity. It is a strategic gateway to connect widely distributed organizations. The traditional networks cannot accommodate the new IoT devices, sensors, and plethora of Edge devices that are connected and managed at the Edge. Therefore, it is crucial to adopt transformation of the network at the edge to meet the requirements of the end devices and make them an integral part of the Enterprise Networks.

Sify Edge Connect Services include advisory services like an assessment of customer requirement with respect to coverage and performance. Further, we ensure end-to-end implementation of customer’s WiFi network, which includes configuring guest access and incorporating employee authentication & access. Our highly secure platform provides insight into user patterns and analytics such as the location of users, applications browsed, etc. Sify also provides deep visibility and control of the performance and usage of applications. In addition, Sify Edge Services include IoT services and aggregation and integration of the same with the Enterprise Network.

While rearchitecting your network, it is important to include aspects connecting the above three points of presence of users and applications. This will help you architect a network that delivers efficiency and is future-ready. However, the majority of organizations lack the necessary skills and expertise to envision and manage such a complex transformation, and that is where Sify Technologies can be your partner in this transformation journey.

What makes Sify the preferable partner for Network Transformation?

Sify is the largest Information and Communications Technology service provider in India, serving 10,000+ businesses across multiple industries with its impeccable Cloud and Data Center services, Network services, Security services, Digital Services, and Application Services. Our industry-wide experience of working with diverse clients, skilled workforce to manage varied network transformation projects, and the Technology Partner ecosystem, makes us the most trusted Network Transformation partner for India Enterprises.

Today, Network Integration, Network Transformation, and Managed Services are the key differentiators. That’s where Sify can help businesses achieve their strategic goals. As a strong, capable ICT transformation partner, Sify brings in the integrated skillsets, processes, and tools that are required for a seamless transition in a cost-effective way. Add to this, Sify’s engineering capabilities are the best in class and help our customers design innovative solutions that are custom-built to suit their business needs.

In the digital age, migration to Cloud has become the top-most priority for businesses across realms. We are seeing major shift in the number of ‘Cloud Hostile’ customers turning into ‘Cloud Friendly’ & ‘Cloud Ready’ customers and pondering on the best plan to implement the migration successfully.

One of the major reasons behind this trend – besides performance, security, and cost – is agility & flexibility which help in faster business innovations. Organizations have started transforming themselves digitally to drive business value and grow business with enhanced end user experience.

Over the past few years, Microsoft has earned massive popularity among organizations worldwide for being a leading Cloud provider with – Azure, Microsoft 365 (M365) and Microsoft Dynamics 365.

Microsoft Azure is a highly productive, hybrid, and intelligent Cloud that allows you to leverage the power of cutting-edge digital technologies to build, deploy and manage critical applications as per your company’s requirements. It also provides Cloud enhanced services like AI/ML, RPA, Analytics tools, and integrated Cloud resources to make your organization more agile and improve top-line performance.

Considering the above benefits, many forward-looking businesses are exploring Cloud-powered services to optimize internal processes and generate new business models. However, this digital aspiration is incomplete without transforming the technology landscape first. A strong technology foundation provided by Microsoft will help you connect your disparate data, processes, users, and applications to accomplish the end objective of organizational excellence.

Achieving all these is not as simple as it may seem initially! That’s where, Sify’s consultative approach can help you leverage the true value of Microsoft Services and align your organizational roadmap with the ever-evolving technology landscape.

Azure Migration: The most successful path

Different organizations have distinct approach towards Cloud migration, and their decisions are governed by business specific priorities and constraints. You must know that Cloud migration involves significant organizational change management across people, process, and technology. It’s very important to draft a holistic approach to migrate successfully and realize the benefits of efficiency, agility, and cost.

With Sify as your strategic partner, you are perfectly positioned to draft, implement, and monitor the overall migration plan in the most successful way. Our team of Cloud experts, Azure certified professionals, cutting-edge toolchains, and partner ecosystem can help you accomplish migration goals successfully. We can help you across all three phases of migration – assessment, migration, and optimization.

Assessment: This is the first phase of migration journey, which includes assessing and discovering your on-premises apps, data, and infrastructure. Our comprehensive range of assessment services can help you map dependencies across applications and decide their priority of Azure migration for a seamless journey.

Migration: The actual migration begins in this phase, where you start moving your apps, data and infrastructure – leveraging the best-suited migration strategies and tools. Our migration services will help you automate the entire migration journey (depending upon your IT specific needs) and minimize the downtime.

Optimization: Once you have moved to Cloud, it becomes important to monitor your Cloud resources continuously for better performance, enhanced security, and reduced cost. Our services will help you maximize your ROI and leverage unified visibility of Cloud resources for efficient resource utilization and optimization.

Sify + Azure Advantage

• Single window solution provider (Network, Security, Azure IT and Management)
• End-to-end Azure service coverage: Access – Architect – Migrate – Manage – Secure
• Integrated Azure network and security proposition
• Unified Dashboard across Azure IT
• Simplified Execution and single point of ownership

Know more about transforming your IT Infrastructure with Sify’s Azure capabilities.

Microsoft 365 – Mail migration

With Office 365 becoming the de-facto mode for conducting business, it is important to modernize the underlying infrastructure and platform. It is imperative for enterprises to move their legacy exchange and other mailboxes to Office 365 in order to reap full benefits of their workflow optimizations. Additionally, Office 365 offers the benefit of pay per use pricing for optimizing cost.

So in case, you are exploring the possibilities to conceptualize and implement your cloud migration in the most success-driven manner, Sify can help you embark on a successful Microsoft Cloud journey.

Our Accreditations

• Microsoft Certified Partner for Cloud & Managed Services
• Certified Deployment Partner for deployment of M365 & Azure services
• Express Route Partnership for seamless connectivity with MS Cloud Azure & Microsoft 365
• Certified team for Migration & Deployment of MS SQL workloads
• Certified team for deployment of Hybrid Cloud Platform

In today’s hyper-connected and fast-paced global marketplace, connectivity is the lifeblood needed to keep businesses running smoothly. Enterprise, small or large, need reliable and fast communication networks to work and grow.

MPLS with its ‘labeling protocol’ provides organizations with a communication network that is completely dependable, fast, flexible and cost effective. The obvious and many benefits of MPLS Connectivity is driving businesses to consider switching to MPLS networks, but with the industry inundated by a wide range of services and management models the process of selecting an MPLS service provider can be long and complicated.

How do you evaluate the various telecom service providers and their offerings to get the best possible solution for your requirements? We list out the 5 key criteria that you need to consider.

Network coverage and reach of the MPLS service provider

The first thing that business need to check, is the network coverage offered by the service provider. Do all your desired locations fall under the network carrier’s footprint and in case you need global connectivity can they offer reliable international coverage? The coverage and reach of the service provider will directly impact issues such as latency, jitter, resilience and cost of the MPLS network.

Network project management and monitoring

Complex networks require constant management to run smoothly. Proactive management can lead to reduced costs and downtimes and enhanced security. Businesses need to understand the details of pricing and the scope of services offered under the head of network management and monitoring services. Do they monitor the entire network? Can they provide managed services to free up IT staff?

Complete MPLS Network Security

Security capabilities of the MPLS service provider need to be scrutinized closely. Businesses need to ensure that service providers are able to support and monitor the entire network closely and provide access to a dedicated security infrastructure including experienced NOC engineers to ensure guaranteed uptime.

Compare SLAs and check references

Another surefire way to assess the capabilities of the service provider is to check the SLAs (Service Level Agreements) offered. While experienced service providers with tested capabilities are usually willing to back their services with SLAs, it pays off to compare SLAs of several MPLS network providers. It is also helpful to look at their existing clients and check references to evaluate their performance.

Class of Service and Quality of Service

Businesses need to evaluate and understand the classes of service (COSs) offered by the carrier. How the carrier consolidates and prioritizes various traffic types will affect the Quality of Service (QoS). It is important that these COSs match your business requirement and the contract with the service provider clearly defines and states these service commitments.

While the above mentioned points form a base to shortlist the right MPLS network provider, other points, such as routing protocols, staff expertise, 3^rd party partnerships, network architecture and future scalability capabilities, must also form a part of the decision making process.

Although cost always plays a big role in any business decision, alignment to your business’ current and future needs and long-term goals should be the deciding factor. After all, your MPLS Network will form the backbone of your business for a long time to come.

Sify Technologies is uniquely positioned to cater to the MPLS Virtual Private Network (VPN) connectivity requirements of Large & Emerging Enterprise customers through its SiteConnect™ services which enable cost-effective converged network solutions that enable point to point data, voice and video traffic. Sify’s carrier-grade next-generation network core offers stringent SLA-based converged data, voice and video traffic support.

Simplify your Network Transformation with Sify

The business world is witnessing an unprecedented transformation as organizations across verticals are passionate to embrace new technologies. Cloud, Analytics, Automation, Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning are some major forces that are enabling enterprises to deliver a top-tier experience to customers. As organizations nowadays are highly reliant on these emerging technologies to achieve organizational excellence, one must acknowledge that all cutting-edge technologies require an intelligent and robust network. There are numerous factors that are fundamentally redefining the ways new-age networks work and function. The emergence of new global trends and multiple new technology trends have compelled organizations to demand more from networks. This blog discusses:

• Major global and technology trends that have paved the way for network transformation.
• New-age network architecture and design for Intelligent Network services
• How Sify can help you in your network transformation journey with a wide range of Intelligent Network Services.

Global Business Trends leading to increased demands from Networks

• Hyperconnected Enterprises:
  In the digital age, global organizations rely on a multitude of connections for geographically distributed people, processes, and devices. Also, the increasing adoption of hybrid and multi-cloud has compelled global enterprises to become hyperconnected. For such hyperconnected enterprises, a scalable network is quite critical to deliver top-tier services to customers across the globe through digital technologies.
• Digital Business Transformation:
  In line with their digital ambition, organizations worldwide are looking to leverage Cloud-native technologies such as analytics, mobility, IoT, AI, and ML to modernize and develop new processes, services, and models for generating new revenue streams. An intelligent and adaptable network can quickly adjust according to evolving requirements, facilitating seamless transformation.
• Automation and Robotics:
  Several enterprises rely on Automation, Robotics, and Robotic Process Automation to improve operational efficiency, quality of services, and customer satisfaction score. The use of Automation and Robotics in the coming years will continue to surge as companies look to improve quality, workforce productivity, customer satisfaction, and more. This is even more relevant than ever in the pandemic-stricken world. As automation of processes is time-sensitive and mission-critical, enterprises will need round-the-clock availability and reliability from their distributed networks as even a minor lapse in network availability or reliability can potentially hamper the process flow and affect overall efficiencies and customer satisfaction.

Technology Trends powering fundamental Network Transformation

• Applications being modularized and distributed across Clouds: Recently, hybrid Cloud and microservices have gained massive prominence across business verticals. The majority of software applications are being modularized and distributed across public Clouds and network edge. To support applications across such a distributed landscape, the network needs to transform fundamentally. There is a need for Networks to be agile, seamless, secure, and responsive to dynamic application landscapes.

• IoT and M2M integration with mainstream Networks: The exponential rise in the number of IoT devices worldwide highlights the need for smart Machine-to-Machine communication. This means the network must capably provide connectivity to all the IoT devices and integrate them smartly with mainstream networks.

• Pervasive Mobility: Owing to the anywhere data center and anywhere user access, there is a need for a robust network to allow users to access applications on Cloud. As anticipated, mobile users will continue to grow in the years to come and they would need round-the-clock high-performance connectivity to access applications on Cloud from private devices over Wi-Fi or 4G networks. Therefore, to cater to this rapidly growing mobile population, it becomes imperative to strengthen the Edge connectivity to these vast diverse, and distributed user base. Edge Transformation is predicted to be the next big wave in the Networking space. As per Gartner – by 2025, 75% of enterprise-generated data in industrial settings will be created and processed at the edge.

• Immersive video experience: User experience has taken the center stage in the digital era, therefore enterprises are keen to make the video experience more immersive. They have started leveraging the power of digital media technologies, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and immersive 3D environments to ensure a top-tier experience. This is placing greater demands on enterprise networks as video experience is totally dependent on low-latency and high availability infrastructure. Moreover, enterprises also want their networks to provide end-to-end bandwidth and dynamic performance controls to further make the experience more enriching.

New-age network architecture and design for Intelligent Network Services

In response to emerging trends and the fast-changing IT landscape, organizations need to rethink network architecture and design strategies to drive digital transformation. It becomes quite critical to align network capabilities in accordance with the changing business requirements and modern topologies. In this light, some of the expectations from Intelligent Network Services are the following:

• Support the fast-changing set of users, applications, devices, and services and unify them intelligently for top-tier user and application experience
• Seamlessly connect between distributed IT assets and applications in a DC and hybrid multi-cloud environment
• Leverage Software and other functionalities to control, rather than physical access and distributed policy control
• Leverage the cutting-edge technologies and algorithms to collect, assimilate, analyze, and visualize networking information in real time for better visibility and control

To achieve the above objectives, there are 3 broad aspects that the IT leaders must follow while designing and architecting the new-age network architecture.

Networking architecture for anywhere Data Center:
Organizations nowadays have their applications and data spread across Data Centers, Clouds, and Edge environments in diverse geographical regions. To meet the requirements of this diverse hybrid ICT landscape, organizations need new networking architecture that is ready for Cloud, meets application connectivity demands, and ensures technology and operational consistency across locations. Therefore, the new-age network must facilitate faster and safer modes of data transfer across Data Centers, Cloud, and Edge devices. This highlights the significance of Cloud-ready Networks with DC Interconnects and Cloud Connect capabilities.

Being a trusted ICT company, Sify ensures a Cloud-ready Network, comprising of Data Center Interconnects, Hyperscale Cloud Connects, and Internet Exchanges for carrier neutrality. Our Cloud-ready Network provides you with deterministic and secure connectivity to move applications, middleware, and database workloads between private infrastructure and Cloud for improved application performance.

Hybrid WAN and Application performance-focused Network Architecture:
In the age of hybrid and multi-cloud, it becomes critical for organizations to have a well-thought-out network strategy for distributed workloads, data footprints, applications, services, and microservices. With the rise in multi-cloud adoption, the legacy hub-and-spoke WAN architecture can hold organizations back. The shift from Data Centers towards Cloud has resulted in the more prevalent use of the SLA-defined Internet (in addition to MPLS) as a reliable and pervasive way to establish robust connectivity. Hence, modern-day businesses need a hybrid WAN strategy – the use of internet for business applications along with MPLS. This means the new-age network must enable the hybrid WAN and be smart enough to adapt to the changing application performance demands in a hybrid or multi-cloud environment, ensuring better performance.

Herein, Software Defined Networking can enable fundamental network transformation. SDN can help accomplish the goals of network transformation – agility, flexibility, and application centricity – by intelligently controlling the network architecture using software applications.

• Software Defined Networking facilitates flexible network architectures, which can utilize multiple network connectivity options (MPLS/ILL/BB/4G-LTE/Internet) which help leverage a Hybrid WAN strategy for the evolving DC and Cloud landscape
• SD-WAN ensures application awareness and complete visibility of site-wise utilization of various applications, which paves way for better performance, availability, and security.
• SD-WAN leverages the power of Cloud-based monitoring and management platform for centralized, real-time visibility of all resources.
• SD-WAN solutions can be easily integrated with legacy network architectures, which enable phase-wise migration of sites.

Sify’s SD-WAN platform is hosted in Secure Cloud, and our experts perform all the monitoring and management functions from the state-of-the-art NOC. This helps you maintain distance with different configuration tasks at branch sites and focus on your core business. Our SD-WAN solutions – coupled with end-to-end Managed Network Services – drive efficiencies, reduce cost, and optimize multi-cloud connectivity.

Centralized visibility, control, and insights of the Network:
Organizations need complete visibility and control over network connectivity to make the most of their Cloud investment. They would also want their network to provide intelligent insights that enable data-driven decision-making. An intelligent network can help businesses with automated and effortless orchestration of network resources. However, enabling a network with comprehensive intelligence is not as simple as it seems, because it requires a well-established network management practice with well-integrated toolsets.

Currently, only a few network service providers, such as Sify Technologies, have the assets, capabilities, and expertise to deliver Intelligent Network Services. We ensure centralized management of the network, powered with the capacity of SDN, to bring in the highest level of visibility and control of the entire network landscape. We offer a comprehensive range of Network Management Services on flexible outcome-based models – shared NOC Services, Hybrid NOC Services, and Dedicated NOC Services – from our state-of-the-art Network Operating Center.

Sify’s network experts ensure 24×7 proactive monitoring and management of network connectivity of devices such as routers, switches, and firewalls, and provide comprehensive reporting of various network parameters such as availability, performance, and security.

Conclusion

The emerging business and technology trends have compelled enterprises to empower their network with inherent intelligence built into them. This needs fundamental network transformation and re-architecting from the ground up, to suit evolving DC and Cloud landscape, distributed/mission-critical applications, and network orchestration needs.

Being a strategic network transformation partner, Sify helps you transform your network into a robust and intelligent asset. We provide Intelligent Network Services which include Cloud-ready Networks, Software-defined WAN, and centralized Network Managed Services, to accelerate your digital transformation with the robust foundation of a fast, secure, and future-ready network.