Digital transformation, the explosion of devices, hybrid work environments and the pandemic era are leading to the Network as a Service (NaaS) to a new stage in IT conversations. The growing interest in this model is felt among IT managers throughout EMEA, consulted by Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company. However, there are still many barriers that prevent it from being the option chosen by the majority.
The 97% of Spanish companies respondents have already introduced the term NaaS in their IT conversations. A concept that for Aruba supposes any network deployment, operations and management of the sales cycle in charge of a third party that has at least 50% in the subscription model. A format that is frequently talked about as a way to redefine the current infrastructure.
Companies see financial profitability as one of the main benefits of the NaaS model. More than three-quarters (76%) of respondents expect NaaS to help reduce operating costs, and 60% believe it could enable a shift from CapEx to OpEx.
Profitability, security and flexibility, main advantages of NaaS
The security It is another point in its favor. 60% of those surveyed see possible improvements in the protection of their business and the same percentage considers that with NaaS, the functionalities and capabilities of the network can be maximized.
Additionally, more than half (67%) of respondents agree that having the flexibility to scale their network based on business needs is key to their interest, with 64% seeing it as a potential game changer. rules of the game in the management of activities.
On the other hand, more than half (51%) consider NaaS to help them reduce IT staffing levels, although a higher number believe it will free up team time for innovation and strategic initiatives (63%).
The challenges of NaaS
Although interest in NaaS is evident, companies still face various barriers when deploying this model. Obstacles include desire to preserve the network (63%), budget pursuit (56%), budget rules and investment cycles (52%), over-reliance on a single NaaS provider (52% ), the redistribution of talent and skills (52%) or the time it takes to migrate (50%), among others.
“As we emerge from the pandemic, the need for agility and flexibility in network management is greater than ever”explains José Tormo, regional director for southern Europe for Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company. “It is a fact that NaaS can guarantee the critical flexibility that companies need to recover, and to address a series of challenges ranging from security and scalability, to budget and personnel limitations. However, in order for the adoption of this model to accelerate, educational work must be carried out so that business managers know the benefits of Naas and bet on it”.
And it is that although the models proposed by the Network as a Service can bring many benefits to companies such as flexibility or profitability, it is a fact that there are still challenges on the table such as security, scalability or cost efficiency that must be resolved.
