With more and more applications taking place beyond an enterprises’ own network, cloud networking is becoming the new core of any enterprise, as you have likely seen with clients.
As you propose this offering to clients, consider the benefits that cloud networking offers. What benefits speak to your client’s pain points most directly, and how you can turn them into talking points to help close the deal?
You should also address the hesitations they may have by helping them overcome the most common cloud networking challenges, like lack of experience or cloud migration troubleshooting.
Read on for an overview of all things cloud networking and the training options available from B-lynk that can make the switch an easy one for your clients.
What is Cloud Networking?
If you’re offering cloud networking to your clients, chances are, you’re already pretty familiar with it. Here’s a quick recap that you can share as needed:
Cloud networking is IT infrastructure that hosts a business’ network resources and capabilities in a private or public platform that can either be managed in-house or by a third-party service provider.
A virtual cloud network is not so much a product but more of an architectural approach built within software at a global scale. It was made to operate independently of physical infrastructure, offering more flexibility than an on-premise network.
Once set up, a cloud network provides connectivity between distributed applications, including all on-premise data centers, cloud-based services, and clouds. It has become vital to the security, performance, and management of multi-cloud or hybrid environments.
Benefits of Cloud Networking
While there may understandably be hesitations regarding switching to cloud networking, there are far more benefits than challenges that come with the decision. Some of the benefits organizations who move to the cloud are realizing include:
- Lower IT Costs – loud networking requires lower capital expenses upfront with no budgeting for hardware or software upgrades down the line required. It’s a pay-per-use model, and the lack of on-premise equipment lowers utility costs.
- Boost Productivity – In-house IT technicians can focus on other tasks since network configuration and maintenance are taken care of by the CSP.
- Fast Setup – Deploy this networking solution much faster than you would be able to install your own equipment – in just days, hours, or maybe even minutes!
- Mobility – Users can access the network anywhere, on any device that can connect to the internet. Allows for a distributed/remote workforce.
- Scalability – Quickly and easily add capacity without producing more hardware or software and waiting for deployment.
- Minimal Downtime – Updates are handled automatically by the provider, and the network doesn’t need to go down to update properly.
- Enhanced Security – CSPs have strict security requirements, using encryption, authentication, physical data center security, firewalls, and malware protection.
Common Cloud Networking Challenges
As with any new technology, there can be challenges to overcome at the onset of use. When you can tap into these challenges and provide solutions to overcome them, you can lower the barrier of entry.
Some of the most common cloud networking challenges experienced by organizations who make the switch are as follows:
- Data Security – With important data floating in the cloud, it’s not uncommon for organizations to have concerns about the safety and security of the valuable information kept on the network. However, cloud networks are some of the safest options available.
- Inadequate Expertise and Resources – A big challenge teams face is the lack of expertise and resources regarding cloud migration and cloud products. While many organizations are shifting their hiring focus to include more cloud computing experts, they also realize the importance of training current staff to be confident and empowered to use the products.
- Cloud Spending – To avoid high cloud spending, your team can use automation, autoscaling features, and cloud spending management solutions.
- Shifting Data Security and Privacy Regulations – When transferring internal data to the cloud, all data and information must comply with current laws and regulations, which can change often. Rather than hiring a data protection specialist, you can find CSPs who provide data compliance management as an additional service.
- Cloud Migration – Migrating to these new technologies can be intimidating. From data migration to user adoption, proper training and a reliable CSP can go a long way.
Better Cloud Networking With B-Lynk
B-Lynk has a vast library of training content, including course content covering different cloud networking products. Some of the cloud networking training and support we offer includes:
- White-labeled Content – This is basic introductory training content that can be white-labeled and customized for your specific offering.
- We also have more granular training on tools such as Fortinet Analyzer, a reporting tool that increases user knowledge of security events throughout a Fortinet Secure SD-WAN. We offer a deep-dive tutorial on how to use all of the tools and capabilities offered through this program.
- Familiarize your customers with all of your cloud network’s functions and capabilities and speed up user adoption with specialized training videos covering topics such as creating service configuration orders on platforms like Lumen.
Migrating to a cloud network provides more security, agility, productivity, and mobility for your customers. While the change for them can feel daunting at the start, guidance from you and training support from B-lynk can minimize the challenges they face and ensure a streamlined migration with benefits for all.
Contact our team to learn more about our cloud networking training services.