InformationWeek Analytics New Research Finds 47% of Companies Allocating Funds to Improve WAN Connectivity

SAN FRANCISCO, March 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- InformationWeek Analytics, the leading service for peer-based IT research and analysis, today announced the release of its latest research report; Next-Gen WAN Options. This report explores the expanding choices available for companies connecting branch and remote offices to headquarters. More than 330 business technology decision-makers responded to this exclusive survey. The report author, Jake McTigue, is IT manager for Carwild Corp. and a senior consulting network engineer for NSI.

Research Summary:

Our next-generation WAN analysis, based on survey responses from more than 330 IT professionals on current and planned wide-area network deployments, delves into MPLS, a popular protocol for multisite connectivity, and compares the pros and cons of VPLS and Cisco's OTV, new services designed to extend Ethernet across the WAN. In addition to analysis of the survey research, it includes a primer on connectivity options, covering SONET, Carrier Ethernet and Fiber to the Node.

Findings:  

• Of the 90% of our survey respondents whose firms have three or more branch offices, 43% say they have 16 or more branch offices.
• T1 and business-centric broadband rank highest in circuit use for site-to-site connectivity, at 81% and 74% respectively, with Carrier Ethernet and T3 next, at 62% and 61%; Carrier Ethernet is projected to jump almost twice as much as T3 in the next 12 months.
• IP VPNs dominate WAN services, with 82% of respondents reporting they use this technology; MPLS and Carrier Ethernet both came in more than 20 points behind, but with higher potential growth rates.
• Most respondents say they're satisfied with their current WAN features—uptime garnered 3.9 out of 5 on the satisfaction scale, but cost landed at 3.2.
• Nearly a quarter of respondents allocate 11% to 15% of their IT budgets to network connectivity, and 23% allocate 16% or more; 47% say they've dedicated funds to improving connectivity.
• 18% say they're in the process of a WAN upgrade; another 27% say they have WAN upgrade plans in the works, and 20% say they want to upgrade but are holding off, most due to budget.
• 43% of respondents say they're considering deploying MPLS, VPLS or OTV.

For full access to the research data, members can download now: http://analytics.informationweek.com/abstract/19/5400/Network-Infrastructure/research-next-gen-wan.html

"MPLS has been around forever and it's great, but it can't do everything, especially when it comes to extending Ethernet outside the data center," says Lorna Garey, content director of InformationWeek Analytics. "And it's not cheap, either. So any company looking into a WAN upgrade--whether to improve connectivity, get better application performance, save money or any other reason--would be wise to investigate the newer technologies as well."

InformationWeek Analytics is a subscription-based service, offering peer-based technology research. Its site currently houses more than 900 reports and briefs, and includes a dedicated area where technology professionals can access complete issues of InformationWeek Magazine. More than one hundred new reports are slated for release in 2011. InformationWeek Analytics members have access to:

• The full InformationWeek Analytics library of reports
• Peer based research and analysis to guide buying and implementing decisions
• Over 20 technology and IT business categories
• New reports launched every week
• Signature reports, such as the InformationWeek Salary Survey, InformationWeek 500 and the State of Security report

For more information on our membership programs please visit: http://analytics.informationweek.com/join

About InformationWeek Business Technology Network (http://www.informationweek.com/)

The InformationWeek Business Technology Network provides IT executives with unique analysis and tools that parallel their work flow--from defining and framing objectives through to the evaluation and recommendation of solutions. Anchored by InformationWeek, the multimedia powerhouse that looks across the enterprise, the network scales across the most critical technology categories with online properties like DarkReading.com (security), IntelligentEnterprise.com (application architecture), NetworkComputing.com (networking and communications) and PlugintotheCloud.com (cloud computing). The network also provides focused content for key IT targets, such as CIOs, developers, SMBs and IT Support Managers via InformationWeek Global CIO, Dr. Dobb's, InformationWeek SMB and HDI, as well as vital vertical industries with InformationWeek Financial Services, Government and Healthcare sites. Content is at the nucleus of our information distribution strategy--IT professionals turn to our experts and communities to stay informed, get advice and research technologies to make strategic business decisions.

About UBM TechWeb (http://www.techweb.ubm.com)

UBM TechWeb, the global leader in technology media and professional information, enables people and organizations to harness the transformative power of technology. Through its three core businesses – media solutions, marketing services and paid content – UBM TechWeb produces the most respected and consumed brands and media applications in the technology market. More than 14.5 million business and technology professionals (CIOs and IT managers, Web & Digital professionals, Software Developers, Government decision makers, and Telecom providers) actively engage in UBM TechWeb's communities and information resources monthly. UBM TechWeb brands includes: global face-to-face events such as Interop, Web 2.0, Black Hat and Enterprise Connect; award-winning online resources such as InformationWeek, Light Reading, and Network Computing; and market-leading magazines InformationWeek, Wall Street & Technology, and Advanced Trading. UBM TechWeb is a UBM company, a global provider of news distribution and specialist information services with a market capitalization of more than $2.5 billion.

SOURCE UBM TechWeb