Riverbed acquires leading SD-WAN provider Ocedo
Riverbed shows a bit more love for SDWAN as they announce the acquisition of German based Software-Defined-Networking company called Ocedo.
Ocedo has developed an advanced software-defined branch office networking solution, with a portfolio of products that include secure gateways, wireless access points and switches, and an integrated cloud management system that enables zero-touch provisioning and centralized control of remote devices and network services.
This acquisition further extends Riverbed’s strategy to deliver next-generation, software-defined networking solutions that “provide superior application performance and business agility for today’s hybrid enterprises”.
“Ocedo is a compelling and strategic acquisition for Riverbed. Their innovative software-defined networking solutions perfectly complement our own strategic investments in R&D, expanding our position to aggressively compete in the emerging markets for software-defined networks and SD-WAN, bringing disruption to the multi-billion dollar branch router market,” said Jerry Kennelly, Riverbed Chairman and CEO. “As the industry goes through one of the largest transformations in a decade, with cloud and hybrid IT environments requiring a different approach to networking, Riverbed is well positioned to help businesses reap the benefits of newer and superior network architectures that are application-centric and software-defined.”
We are seeing huge client demand for SD-WAN solutions as our customers look to streamline and simplify how their hybrid WAN and Data Centres are deployed and managed. SD-WAN technology enables IT teams to provide faster and more secure delivery of applications hosted on-premises or in the public cloud with far greater agility. Every vendor we work from network to compute to storage are investing in SD-WAN and the entire data centre and hybrid enterprise becomes software defined. We are in a sea of acquisition with companies like Riverbed snapping up smaller outfits to help position them as leaders.
According to Gartner, the SD-WAN market is expected to grow significantly in the next several years and they predict that “by the end of 2019, 30% of enterprises will use SD-WAN products in all their branch offices, up from less than 1% today.” (Gartner, Inc., Market Guide for Software-Defined WAN, Bjarne Munch, December 1, 2015)
Riverbed have a unique application-centric approach to software-defined networking that is already providing lean and agile application delivery. Riverbed offers a comprehensive Application Performance Platform that delivers end-to-end visibility, optimisation and control, enabling enterprises to realize the full benefits of software-defined networking solutions.
This acquisition further fuels Riverbed’s “Project Tiger” initiative, announced late in 2015, in which Riverbed plan to bring to market a new suite of application-centric SD-WAN solutions that aim to eliminate the need for traditional branch routers, provides cloud-based zero-touch provisioning & management. Riverbed have revealed plans to launch their initial SD-WAN solution offerings by the end of Q1 2016 to complement and expand their Application Performance Platform.
We will keep you posted as we hear more about how Ocedo will be integrated into Riverbed’s portfolio.
Rob Quickenden, Chief Strategy Officer at Cisilion