Versa Networks Awarded Entrepreneurial Company of the Year by Frost & Sullivan

Company recognized for its NFV-based Approach to SD-WAN

Santa Clara, Calif., September 13, 2016

Versa Networks, a leading provider of software-defined wide area networks (SD-WAN) and software-defined security (SD-Security) solutions for service providers and enterprises, announced today that it has been awarded Entrepreneurial Company of the Year by Frost & Sullivan. The global research and consulting organization recognized the company’s Versa FlexVNF, a network functions virtualization (NFV)-based approach to SD-WAN that uses a unique software architecture to eliminate proprietary hardware and integrate full network security. Frost & Sullivan’s report notes that Versa’s solution addresses market needs in a highly flexible and cost-efficient manner by combining a large set of networking and security virtual network functions (VNF) with an instantly scalable multi-tenant platform, commodity hardware and Big Data analytics. The full report can be downloaded here: http://bit.ly/VersaBPAward

Versa FlexVNF allows service providers and large enterprises to transform their branch networks and WANs to achieve unprecedented business advantages. Versa’s software-based approach provides unmatched agility, cost savings and flexibility when compared to traditional network hardware. For service providers, Versa FlexVNF enables next-generation managed services for SD-WAN, SD-Security and virtual customer premises equipment (vCPE). For enterprises, the software provides a highly flexible and scalable solution for SD-WAN and branch security projects.

“Versa’s NFV-based approach to SD-WAN is unique as it addresses market needs in a holistic manner by combining a large set of networking and security functions with an instantly scalable multi-tenant platform and Big Data analysis,” said Roopa Honnachari, industry director, Business Communication Services & Cloud Computing Services—ICT, at Frost & Sullivan.

The Frost & Sullivan report explains the three components of the Versa SD-WAN solution:

• Versa FlexVNF is the core building block for Versa SD-WAN and SD-Security solutions; it includes a broad set of virtualized network and security functions with full multi-tenancy, programmability, service chaining, service elasticity and cost-effective deployment choices.
• Versa Director is the single point of centralized control and management for both connectivity and services.
• Versa Analytics is the real-time analytics engine that provides control, visibility, predictability and network adaptability.

Most hybrid WAN deployments use multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) to connect critical locations and IPsec VPNs or dedicated Internet access (DIA) links to connect less-critical branch sites. DIA links open an attack surface on the branch that did not exist with MPLS. Versa’s SD-Security capabilities provide customers with choices to deploy security as a VNF on the branch-site CPE or to host it off-premises in a cloud environment, the network service provider’s (NSP) point of presence (PoP) or in one of many data centers.

“Versa’s NFV-based SD-WAN solution improves the price-performance value of network services,” Honnachari continued. “Its solution has attracted the attention of leading NSPs (CenturyLink, Orange Business Services, Colt and many more Tier I providers) and large enterprises (banking, retail, and government verticals, particularly), and the company currently has more than 50 deployments spanning North America, Europe, Asia and Central America, ranging from proof-of-concepts to field trials and production.”

“We are deeply honored to be the recipient of this year’s Frost & Sullivan Entrepreneurial Company of the Year award,” said Kumar Mehta, chief executive officer of Versa Networks. “It has truly been a great year for Versa. From the recent awards our platform has received, including a Red Herring Top 100 North America award and a Gold IT World award, to recent top-tier service-provider customer wins that include CenturyLink and RCN, it’s really rewarding to see Versa’s SD-WAN solution adopted, embraced and appreciated for its robustness, value and innovation.”

Evaluation Methodology

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has demonstrated excellence in devising and robustly implementing a strong growth strategy. The recipient has shown strength in terms of innovation in products and technologies, leadership in customer value, and speed in response to market needs. In short, the award looks at the emerging market participants in the industry and recognizes their best practices that are positioned for future growth excellence.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.

“Our research clearly shows that Versa Networks’ SD-WAN solution excels in meeting the market gaps better than any other competitor and, hence, is our selection for the 2016 Entrepreneurial Company of the Year Award in the SD-WAN market,” Honnachari concluded.

About Versa Networks

Versa Networks, the leader in SASE, combines extensive security, advanced networking, industry leading SD-WAN, genuine multitenancy, and sophisticated analytics via the cloud, on-premises, or as a blended combination of both to meet SASE requirements for small to extremely large enterprises and Service Providers, and via the simplified Versa Titan cloud service designed for Lean IT. Thousands of customers globally with hundreds of thousands of sites trust Versa with their networks, security, and clouds. Versa Networks is privately held and funded by Sequoia Capital, Mayfield, Artis Ventures, Verizon Ventures, Comcast Ventures, Liberty Global Ventures, Princeville Capital, RPS Ventures and Triangle Peak Partners. For more information, visit https://www.versa-networks.com or follow Versa Networks on Twitter @versanetworks.