As a result, major service providers are using WAN optimization gear from several vendors to deliver a set of services that are the best aligned with customer needs. For example, Verizon Business started offering WAN optimization managed services around Juniper's hardware and followed by making Cisco Wide Area Application Services (WaaS) solutions a part of its managed services packages. Verizon Business is also coupling these services with application performance management capabilities from Fluke Networks and InfoVista.
Similarly, BT Global Services offers WAN optimization services and allows end-users to select WAN optimization capabilities from different vendors, including Blue Coat, Riverbed and Ipanema.
Managing application performance over the WAN requires different tool sets. Enterprises are realizing that WAN acceleration alone is not enough to ensure optimal performance over the WAN. They are coupling WAN acceleration with products for monitoring network and application performance. This adds more complexity to deploying and managing these toolsets because end-users have to deal with interoperability and integration aspects while looking to find the best combination of WAN optimization and WAN application performance management tools. For that reason, buying a single service that would provide all of these capabilities resonates with customers.
From a management and service delivery perspective, the best solution for enterprises would be a service built around a single platform that can provide QoS as well as acceleration and visibility. The only vendor enabling these types of managed services is Ipanema Technologies, and some major European service providers are already taking advantage of this solution for their services (e.g. Orange Business Services, British Telecom and Telecom Italia).