We used LANCOM SD-WAN in both a retail setting, where it was being tested, and in a school environment. My colleague managed to run it in production at the school. The product allows connection to the cloud, enabling visibility and management capabilities.
What is our primary use case?
How has it helped my organization?
LANCOM SD-WAN made it possible to monitor what was happening from anywhere, giving us flexibility and control over the network. It was useful in testing phases and helped ensure certain security measures, such as intrusion prevention and detection.
What is most valuable?
LANCOM SD-WAN features such as intrusion prevention and detection and its connectivity to the cloud are particularly useful. It also supports zero-trust network implementations, single sign-on, and two-factor authentication, which are essential for identifying and authenticating users.
What needs improvement?
Improved management of time zone alignments is needed to resolve issues swiftly, as waiting 24 to 48 hours is not ideal for businesses. More support is needed while we are still learning the system, and the cloud solution needs to be checked for updates.
Additionally, LANCOM should improve its real-time monitoring capabilities to avoid the need for constant manual oversight.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
LANCOM SD-WAN provides a stable connection allowing us to monitor traffic coming and going, but needs consistent updates, especially if it's not used for six months or more.
How are customer service and support?
Customer service is excellent in the EU with high ratings. However, in other time zones, support is less than ideal unless a customer is willing to pay more for better service.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Neutral
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We have considered solutions like Arista, which is a solid system already integrated into the cloud using IPsec connections with retail outlets.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Customers are reluctant to pay for 24/7 support unless they're certain it is required. Pricing and value assessment need careful consideration, especially when alternatives like Ubiquiti are being promoted.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We have evaluated Arista, Aruba, and other solutions. Arista, for instance, offers a solid system with SD-WAN capabilities, connected to the cloud.
What other advice do I have?
LANCOM SD-WAN is recommended if a European solution is requested due to GDPR compliance requirements. Otherwise, consider alternative solutions unless specified by the customer.
I'd rate the solution seven out of ten.
