Summary Bullets:
- NetSocket unveiled the list of virtual applications available for hosting on its MicroCloud Server; the suite of prequalified apps diversifies its service catalog, giving MSPs the apps needed to differentiate their service packages.
- NetSocket needs to explore pre-qualifying mobile broadband and BDA apps to enhance the adoption appeal of its Virtual Edge solution among MSPs.
NetSocket competes as a supplier of NFV/SDN networking solutions. With competition in the NFV/SDN market so crowded, including top-tier OSS/BSS and managed services rivals, how can NetSocket differentiate its Virtual Edge solution aimed at the managed service provider (MSP) space? For starters, it can name the third-party virtual applications (vApps) that its Virtual Edge MicroCloud Server can support:
- Fortinet: Advanced security/firewall/IDS/IPS
- Snorby: Open source firewall/IDS/IPS
- Ubiquiti: Unifi WiFi controller
- Pandora: Open source remote monitoring/management
- QFlex: Enterprise session border control (SBC) from GENBAND
- OpenVPN: Open source VPN aggregator and client
- FreePBX; Open source IP PBX
- Microsoft: Windows Server software infrastructure
- Cacti: Open source performance visualization
- Linux VM: VM for operator-installed apps and tools
This first wave of qualified vApps is purpose-selected to drive the reach of MSP IT services to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and enterprises. The NetSocket Virtual Edge proposition asserts that remote orchestration of vApps yields tenfold (10:1) installation and operation savings over legacy managed services (e.g., managed routing services). Moreover, the combination of Virtual Edge services with customized cloud apps such as IPS/ID, WiFi, and monitoring could create fourfold increases in revenue growth opportunity.
Equally important, implementing vApps on the MicroCloud Server product could reduce and eliminate on-premises appliance bloat and yield capital expenditure (CapEx) savings in the threefold range. Time-to-market intervals for service deployment and innovation likely gain significant improvement through orchestrated installation. In this regard, NetSocket needs to produce use cases that yield metrics validating vast improvements in service deployment windows. Moreover, NetSocket needs to address the following two areas to bolster differentiation of its Virtual Edge solution:
Mobile Broadband Applications: NetSocket needs to address how its solution can support mobile broadband apps within managed service frameworks. A top priority of this support should be qualification of mobile applications related to smartphone/tablet security. The rapid expansion of bring-your-own-device (BYOD) technology consistently ranks as a top security concern for enterprise IT decision makers. The area represents an opportunity for further differentiation of the Virtual Edge platform.
BDA Integration: Integration of big data analytics (BDA) can prove a driver of SDN/NFV adoption, including automated application delivery. Cloud-based analytics, such as data sciences as a service (DSaaS), can appeal to enterprises and SMBs that lack the resources to build out in-house BDA-based data stores. NetSocket needs to explore pre-qualifying analytical vApps that can address MSP top-level concerns such as improving the customer experience and customizing marketing campaigns. BDA support meets MSP demands for improving their own service value as well as capitalizing on improving the business models of their enterprise customers.
Overall, the first wave of pre-qualified vApps enables NetSocket to assert clear differentiation of its Virtual Edge cloud-based automated application delivery and network orchestration solution. Now, can NetSocket hit on the optimizing support for the next wave of vApps MSPs require?