Flexi work and hybrid workplaces are perfect examples of enterprise flexibility, but it is network flexibility powering the transformation.

A flexible Network that can adapt in this rapidly changing, increasingly digital environment are challenging to create, but balancing the ability to scale quickly and meeting network and business needs are critical to operational continuity.

Based on a survey of 5,400 IT leaders across EMEA, this report provides a snapshot of how companies across multiple sectors are addressing the challenge. The hot topic – modernising networks into a strategic asset that delivers value.

The rise of Network-as-a-Service

100% of technology leaders have heard of Network-as-a-Service (NaaS), which is being discussed by 86% of companies.

Network-as-a-Service is the number one way enterprises meet their network infrastructure requirements at scale.

NaaS is unique because it gives businesses enterprise-grade networking and security in a monthly or quarterly paid package. It slashes IT costs, eliminates in-house maintenance, and assures security by passing the buck to the provider.

With NaaS, network consumption is put through operating expense (OpEx) subscriptions, minimising investment with a flexible solution.

Over three-quarters (76%) of companies expect NaaS to reduce operations costs, while 60% think it could enable a shift from CapEx to OpEx.

This represents a shift in economic thinking, creating IT infrastructure flexibility without spending much. Allowing for more flexibility within constrained budgets is one of the ways NaaS solves the enterprise flexibility challenge.

Education is the most significant barrier to NaaS rollout!

Surprisingly, only 33% of technology leaders cite security as the biggest barrier to adopting NaaS. The most significant barrier is education, with Aruba research revealing that only 2 in 5 leaders claim to understand what it means fully.

A lack of overall understanding of NaaS is holding adoption back, with executives putting it on the back burner in favour of other IT modernisation.

This is a mistake.

Network-as-a-Service is scalable and user-friendly, with multicast protocols, a security firewall, intrusion detection and prevention and Wide Area Network (WAN). Most providers also integrate analytics and AI for configuration.

Your network must be reliable, secure, and scalable if you want to enable hybrid workplaces and meet device demand. NaaS helps you achieve flexibility at a minimal cost.

Join us at Connect 2023 on Wednesday 2nd November at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium where we explore how organisations of all sizes, by transforming their network, are accelerating digital transformation, enhancing the customer experience and supporting the modern work-from-anywhere business. Find out more and register.