SD-WAN as a Managed Service Provider
Trusted Advisor for IT & Telecommunications Sourcing
Outsourcing SD-WAN to a managed service provider
When is external network management worthwhile
Managed or unmanaged: the fundamental question with SD-WAN.
SaaS and IaaS can be easily outsourced. But does this also apply to SD-WAN? Companies are faced with the question of whether they should manage the network themselves or rely on a provider. SAVECALL provides the answer.
In a nutshell:
- More than support: MSPs take on design, implementation and SLA management.
- Physical presence: on-site technicians minimize downtime and ensure operation.
- Tailor-made: solutions tailored to locations, data traffic and connectivity.
- Long-term partner: MSPs develop networks strategically.
The solution: SAVECALL supports companies in choosing the right managed service provider for SD-WAN and ensures a smooth digital transformation.
What this article covers: When external network management is worthwhile, why SD-WAN is not a fully managed product like SaaS or IaaS, and whether your SD-WAN would be more efficient with an experienced managed service provider.
SD-WAN managed or unmanaged?
SaaS and IaaS are forms of outsourcing that are used without a managed service provider. Does this approach also make sense for an SD-WAN solution?
The use of SaaS and IaaS enables companies to reduce overheads as well as TCO (total cost of ownership), as internal on-site support becomes virtually redundant. What about an SD-WAN solution? It can also be purchased as a service from a service provider. Such an SD-WAN solution typically includes the end-to-end design of the network and provisioning. The ongoing maintenance of the technical components and the management of the network operator are the responsibility of the customer. An SD-WAN is not a fully managed product like a SaaS, IaaS solution or an MPLS network. The question that arises is whether external management is required or not. In other words, whether the SD-WAN solution should be purchased managed or unmanaged. And the same applies to the underlay network. In other words, the internet lines, MPLS, radio relay or 5G routes on which the SD-WAN is operated.
In our view, a managed service provider should always be on board for the ongoing operation of an SD-WAN solution. A good managed service provider is more than just a service provider. It is a technology partner that uses its knowledge and experience to help companies maximize their network efficiency, actively develop the network and, of course, keep the underlay and overlay network within the required SLAs so that users experience smooth app performance.
A consultative approach
A managed service provider should be a sounding board for new ideas and help customers to achieve and exceed their goals using the available technologies. The experience gained from a large number of customer projects benefits all customers.
Dedicated services on site
Customers investing in SD-WAN want security and an on-site physical presence to maximize efficiency and reduce downtime. Not all branch offices of a company have qualified IT staff who can take the necessary measures to restore the service in the event of a failure on site. A managed service provider can help you with this and also order, implement, monitor and manage the complete international underlay network, i.e. the Internet lines for you.
Customized network design
No two companies are the same. A good managed service provider is able to develop a customized solution that fits each individual company perfectly in terms of geography, network traffic and connectivity.
How SAVECALL supports your choice of managed service provider
A dedicated managed service provider must be able to design, implement and monitor an all-encompassing network solution for both the underlay and overlay network that supports all aspects of corporate communications and data transmission. SAVECALL can help you select the right managed service provider. With over 20 years of experience, SAVECALL supports companies in their digital transformation. Our range of global consulting services includes MPLS, Internet and hybrid networks, SD-WAN and cloud connectivity solutions.
Conclusion
SD-WAN is not a fully managed product like SaaS or IaaS, so the managed-versus-unmanaged question remains more than a purely technical decision. A good managed service provider brings together consultative guidance, physical on-site presence and customized network design, turning it into a strategic advantage rather than added administrative overhead.
Would your SD-WAN be more efficient with an experienced managed service provider? SAVECALL compares suitable providers for your sites and budget in a vendor-neutral way.
Written by
Frank Frommknecht
Key Account Consultant, SAVECALL
Has supported companies for over 20 years in selecting and optimizing their connectivity solutions. His focus: making complex telecommunications understandable from the customer’s perspective and strategically finding the right solution.
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Frequently asked questions about SD-WAN and managed service providers
An SD-WAN managed service provider (MSP) handles design, implementation and ongoing operations of your SD-WAN infrastructure as a complete service. With the DIY approach, the company buys SD-WAN licences, hardware and internet lines separately and operates the solution with internal staff. The MSP approach delivers everything from a single source: centralised monitoring, carrier management, configuration changes, security updates and 24/7 support. You pay a monthly flat fee per site and focus on your core business. SAVECALL combines the strengths of both models and delivers managed SD-WAN through the most suitable providers worldwide.
Managed SD-WAN is particularly worthwhile for companies with more than 10 sites, limited internal network resources, international footprint or high uptime requirements. It also offers lower project risk when migrating from MPLS to SD-WAN, as the MSP carries operational responsibility. DIY makes sense for very large corporations with dedicated network engineering teams. When in doubt, we advise carrier-independently on the right variant for your company size and complexity.
Costs consist of three components: underlay (internet or MPLS lines), SD-WAN service (licence and management) and optionally hardware. A standard site with dual internet and managed SD-WAN appliance typically ranges from 250 to 600 euros monthly, depending on bandwidth, carrier mix and SLA tier. Main sites with redundant hardware and premium SLA range from 800 to 2,500 euros. Through the SAVECALL procurement pool, these list prices typically reduce by 20 to 35 percent.
Leading SD-WAN providers include Cisco (Meraki, Catalyst SD-WAN), Fortinet, VMware (VeloCloud), Palo Alto (Prisma SD-WAN), Versa Networks, Cato Networks, HPE Aruba (Silver Peak) and Juniper. Carrier-managed offerings come from Colt, Vodafone, Telefonica, Orange Business and Telekom among others. Each provider has strengths in specific scenarios: Cisco for complex enterprise environments, Cato for cloud-native with SASE integration, Fortinet for security focus, Versa for carrier-scale operations. SAVECALL creates an objective provider matrix matching your requirements.
Selection typically follows these criteria: technical feature coverage (application-aware routing, zero-touch deployment, cloud connectivity), geographical coverage of carrier partnerships, SLA depth and reporting, integration into existing security architecture, scalability for future growth and total cost of ownership over 5 years. SAVECALL runs this process structured as RFP management: clarify requirements, shortlist providers, coordinate demos and proof of concept, compare offers and handle contract negotiation.
A typical managed SD-WAN project takes 4 to 9 months from contract to last site. Phase 1 (design and contract conclusion) takes 6 to 12 weeks. Phase 2 (pilot operation at 2 to 3 sites) takes another 4 to 8 weeks. Phase 3 (rollout of all sites) scales with the number: typically 5 to 15 sites per week with zero-touch deployment. SAVECALL handles project management, carrier coordination and user training end-to-end. For MPLS replacement, the old network runs in parallel until full acceptance.
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