SDN will be a significant trend by 2020, says Brocade’s Channel Survey

A new research from Brocade among channel resellers across the globe has revealed that “data center availability” is their customers’ biggest concern (40 per cent of respondents), as customers look to adopt virtualization, embrace software-defined networking (SDN) and meet the needs of more demanding users. Moreover, the survey indicated that this concern is limiting innovation and the adoption of next-generation applications and services.
 
Jason Nolet, Vice-President, Data Center Solutions, Brocade, said, “However, many enterprises are still relying on legacy environments that are no longer fit for purpose, especially as they look to leverage the benefits of software-defined networking – and this presents the channel with a terrific opportunity. Channel partners that can help customers take the journey to fabrics will succeed in the new networking landscape.”

“Our findings clearly illustrate that there is an immediate need for partners to engage customers now, and help them on their journey to a fabric-based data center infrastructure. In addition to a world-class solutions portfolio, the Brocade Alliance Partner Programme and Capital Solutions offerings are uniquely positioned to help our partners stand out in what is a highly competitive market, and deliver customers a strategically differentiated offering,” commented Edgar Dias, Regional Director for India, Brocade.

Other key findings of the survey reveal that more than 60 per cent of the channel believe it will be “standard” or “very common” for fabric networks to be deployed in data centers by 2020. A quarter of the channel believe SDN will be a significant trend by 2020, but currently a third admit to knowing little about SDN.