Liberty Living
Focus Group manages a hosted phone system for this busy accommodation provider, to ensure seamless communication.
Help your company soar with cloud-based SD-WAN
Businesses need a network that keeps up—not one that stumbles at the first sign of high traffic or complex cloud applications. That’s where cloud-based SD-WAN comes in. If you’re looking to future-proof your business, boost security, and stay as hands-off as possible with your IT infrastructure, a managed SD-WAN solution is the way to go. And if all of this sounds a little too technical for your liking—don’t worry, we’ll break it down into plain English
What is cloud-based SD-WAN?
Imagine an SD-WAN solution that’s flexible, scalable, and doesn’t require constant babysitting. That’s cloud-based SD-WAN in a nutshell. Instead of relying on traditional hardware-heavy networking setups, SD-WAN cloud solutions leverage cloud infrastructure to deliver smarter, more efficient connectivity.
Think of it like switching from DVDs to streaming services—no bulky equipment, just seamless performance whenever you need it.
(Not sure what regular SD-WAN is? Don’t worry, we have a page for that too)
Benefits of using a cloud-based solution
Seamless Cloud Integration
Direct connectivity to cloud apps like Microsoft 365, AWS, and Google Drive without slow detours.
Scalability on Demand
Whether you’re adding new branches, onboarding remote teams, or expanding globally, cloud-based SD-WAN grows with you.
Automatic Updates & Optimisations
No more manually patching hardware—your network stays up-to-date with the latest security and performance enhancements.
Cost-Efficiency
Reduce your businesses reliance on complex and expensive private circuits and use a mix of fibre broadband, mobile LTE (long term evolution) and WiFI for maximum performance across multiple sites, all at a much lower operational cost.
Why Businesses Need Cloud-Managed SD-WAN
The future is cloud-first, and if your network isn’t built to handle it, you’ll be playing a constant game of catch-up. With remote work, global expansion, and cloud-based applications becoming the norm, cloud-managed SD-WAN ensures that businesses stay agile, secure, and scalable.
Here’s why it’s a game-changer:
- Always-On Connectivity – Employees expect fast, reliable access to cloud apps whether they’re in the office, at home, or working from a café with questionable WiFi. SD-WAN ensures performance consistency across all locations.
- Built-in Security – Cyber threats are evolving, and traditional networks just aren’t cutting it anymore. Cloud-based SD-WAN comes with integrated encryption, firewalls, and Zero Trust security models to keep your data locked down.
- Simplified IT Management – A managed SD-WAN solution offloads the complexity of network management, so IT teams can focus on strategic projects instead of troubleshooting slow connections.
- Real-Time Analytics & Control – Get instant insights into network performance and security, all from a centralized cloud dashboard. It’s like having a bird’s-eye view of your entire IT infrastructure—minus the need for binoculars.
What is cloud-based SD-WAN?
Imagine an SD-WAN solution that’s flexible, scalable, and doesn’t require constant babysitting. That’s cloud-based SD-WAN in a nutshell. Instead of relying on traditional hardware-heavy networking setups, SD-WAN cloud solutions leverage cloud infrastructure to deliver smarter, more efficient connectivity.
Think of it like switching from DVDs to streaming services—no bulky equipment, just seamless performance whenever you need it.
(Not sure what regular SD-WAN is? Don’t worry, we have a page for that too)
The future is in the clouds
The shift to cloud-managed SD-WAN isn’t just a trend—it’s the logical next step for businesses looking to scale, secure, and simplify their networks. With SD-WAN cloud solutions, you get faster connectivity, built-in security, and seamless cloud integration, all while offloading the complexity to a managed SD-WAN provider.
So, if you’re ready to ditch outdated networking headaches and future-proof your business, it’s time to make the switch.
Book a free consultation today and take your network into the future.
Brewers
Brewers, with over 150 retail locations, streamlined its network services in order to provide an enhanced customer experience.
Sussex County Cricket Club
While the team focus on their performance on the pitch, Focus Group focus on providing essential technology services to the club.
Frequently asked questions
What is SD-WAN?
SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) is a network management solution that uses software to control connectivity, management, and services between data centres, remote branches, and cloud instances.
By detaching network hardware from its control mechanism, SD-WAN simplifies the management and operation of a WAN. Ultimately, SD-WAN enhances performance, reduces costs, and increases flexibility by enabling dynamic path selection and centralised control over network traffic.
What is SD-WAN used for?
Legacy WAN connections are complicated, expensive to maintain, offer low bandwidth, and can be painful to change, in turn halting innovation and growth. SD-WAN is the answer and puts you in control - making it possible to leverage cutting-edge network technologies and easily manage services over a multi-site network.
What does SD-WAN replace?
At Focus Group, we’ll help you plot your path to software-defined ‘everything’ – connecting physical locations, public and private networks, plus cloud environments to enable optimal digital flexibility to your organisational infrastructure.
Our SD-WAN expertise covers traffic control and security, dynamic multi-path optimisation and routing, load balancing and traffic prioritisation, secure cloud and branch-to-branch connectivity, automation and orchestration, end-user-experience monitoring and virtualised security.
What are the key benefits of SD-WAN?
SD-WAN allows companies to build higher-performance WANs using lower-cost and commercially available internet access. It enables businesses to partially or wholly replace more expensive, private WAN connection technologies such as MPLS.
What is Cisco SD-WAN?
Cisco SD-WAN is a highly secure, cloud-scale architecture that is open, programmable and scalable, with integrated capabilities for multi-cloud, security, unified communications and application optimisation – built on a SASE foundation. It’s used to connect data centres, branches, campuses and colocation facilities to improve network speed, security and efficiency.
What is the difference between SDN and SD-WAN?
The main difference between a software-defined network (SDN) and SD-WAN is how they are used. While SDNs address the modern networking needs of managing local area networks (LANs) or operator-managed networks, SD-WANs are used to connect geographically distributed locations and remote users.
How reliable is SD-WAN?
SD-WAN has proven to be a flexible, robust and reliable alternative to traditional private network connections. A Cisco SD-WAN doesn't require a backhaul to a data centre, which allows branch offices to connect more easily to the internet. This translates into better performance, lower latency and higher-performing connectivity. In addition to this, business IT support services will constantly monitor for faults in the network, rectifying any issues before they occur.
How is SD-WAN different from a VPN?
SD-WAN and VPN both provide secure connections, but SD-WAN offers more advanced features. SD-WAN uses software-defined technology for dynamic path selection, centralised management, and enhanced performance across multiple locations. It optimises traffic and reduces latency. In contrast, VPNs primarily create secure point-to-point connections over the internet without the advanced traffic management and optimisation capabilities an SD-WAN provides.
What are the benefits of API-driven SD-WAN?
Unlike traditional router-centric WAN architectures, SD-WAN is designed to fully support applications hosted in on-premises data centres, public or private clouds and SaaS services such as Salesforce.com and Microsoft 365. In a nutshell, SD-WAN delivers the highest levels of application performance and better quality of experience for users. Plus, organisations can instantly deploy the right security in the right place, all from a single dashboard, protecting end users from a multitude of security threats, while safeguarding the business against data exfiltration and insider threats.
What is SD-WAN architecture?
SD-WAN architecture allows businesses to leverage any combination of services – including MPLS, LTE and broadband internet services – to securely connect users to applications. The technology centralises network control, creating a network overlay that enables IT to remotely configure, manage, monitor and secure most aspects of the WAN including edge devices and traffic flows.
Do I need a firewall with SD-WAN?
While SD-WAN optimises and manages network traffic, a firewall provides critical protection against cyber threats by monitoring and controlling incoming and outgoing network traffic based on security rules. Integrating a firewall with SD-WAN ensures comprehensive security, combining optimised performance with robust threat protection and compliance.
