WAN Optimization Buyers Want Integrated Measurement

More insight from enterprise survey

Today's WAN optimization customers want performance measurement integrated into their WAN optimization platform rather than buying it as a standalone solution. In NetForecast's recent survey on the future of application delivery systems, 69 percent of respondents told us they want performance measurement integrated into their WAN optimization platform. Vendors should take note and act accordingly.

When we asked those already deploying WAN optimization in their networks what capabilities they would prefer to have integrated into a WAN optimization platform, measurement topped the list at 72 percent, and control (i.e. QoS) was next in line with 59 percent of current users saying they want it integrated into their WAN optimization platform.

Among those not yet using WAN optimization, the desire for integration is not quite as strongly felt, and the order of what they wanted was reversed. Among non-users QoS beat out measurement at 63 percent, with 58 percent wanting measurement. Since these respondents have no hands-on experience with WAN optimization, it makes sense that they would not see the benefit of integrating functions into a single platform quite as strongly. And because they don't yet optimize performance at all, the need to measure performance is not as keenly felt.

But the fact that 72 percent of those with hands-on WAN optimization experience want measurement served up as a package with acceleration is irrefutable. Not only is this what customers want, integrating performance measurement serves vendors' interests because it allows them to showcase the performance improvement they deliver. So go do it!

• APM
• Application Performance Management
• WAN optimization