IBM is enhancing its selection of Cisco-centric professional services through the introduction of options for users of Cisco SDN and SD-WAN, as well as a remote assessment service for Cisco network infrastructure.
The company has significantly broadened its Cisco-focussed professional services with novel support and implementation choices, designed to assist consumers in creating better performing and more tightly coordinated networks.
The Technology Lifecycle Services (TLS) division of IBM has extended its support for Cisco’s software defined networking and SD-WAN solutions. Additionally, the company has launched the IBM Network Health Check for Cisco networking.
In general terms, the new TLS offerings from IBM strive to optimize infrastructure, reduce hardware support time, and provide insights into areas in the network infrastructure that require attention. These services span various stages of the product lifecycle including deployment, preparation, installation, configuration, support, repairs, firmware updates, software updates, monitoring, automation, security, performance, refresh planning, migration, and disposal, according to IBM.
The Network Health Check service is created to monitor aspects like availability, performance, event data, and configuration settings. IBM has designed it to help identify network problems preemptively and offer solutions that can enhance stability and minimize downtime.
“In this age, where AI adoption is on the rise and data is flowing across private clouds extensively, it is crucial to ensure that client networks can handle current demands,” remarks Jamie Thomas, the general manager of TLS and IBM Enterprise Security. “Our new Network Health Check is a remote assessment service that provides a detailed and flexible report. This contains technical advice and updates on clients’ network security, health, and performance.”
Thomas further says, “This service gives our clients recommendations from an expert team, which was previously inaccessible. It helps them confirm that their network is performing at a peak level — a crucial requirement in this AI-dominated era.”
“To support Cisco SDN implementations, we’ve introduced new services. These services include support, post-implementation, and technology adoption,” informs Thomas. He further elaborates that the support services are designed to cover hardware and software for SD-WAN solutions. “Clients will have 24×7 access to remote support, with enhanced response times. They can also opt for 9×5 or 24×7 onsite support for hardware,” he concludes.
“In order to foster technology embracement, support comes with an allocated technical account manager who takes charge of the support blueprint and issue management,” Thomas mentioned. “Moreover, the service encompasses post-implementation configuration services to clear queries regarding post-production design, help with configuration, and provide insights on interoperability and feature accessibility.”
In context of SD-WAN, IBM now offers clients comprehensive assistance, inclusive of formulating an SD-WAN adoption strategy, aiding with acquisition and distribution of hardware and software elements, and implementing the technology.
“IBM assists customers in patterning their SD-WAN network via a design exploration workshop, implementation appraisal report, Solution Requirements Document (SRD), and design documents. Teams will then acquire, set up, and dismantle network and security hardware and software,” Thomas stated.
“Conclusively, IBM offers project management, Playbook/Method of Procedure (MOPs), SD-WAN execution and network joining service for all sites, acceptance testing in addition to cut-over and knowledge dissemination,” conveyed Thomas.
IBM TLS backs more than half a million Cisco networking devices across the globe, acting as a reseller and offering networking support and services.
“Our offering contain maintenance and service resolutions for Cisco products to ensure enhanced availability and performance for client network environments,” Thomas conveyed. “Our services range from software updates, hardware replacements and around-the-clock break-fix support for clients’ Cisco hardware, applications and operating systems.”
Besides its alliance with Cisco, TLS also engages in partnerships with Juniper, F5, Fortinet, Checkpoint, and Palo Alto. Vying in the service sector, TLS faces competition from several vendors like HPE, Cognizant and others.
