5 things to consider when choosing a NaaS vendor

[Robin_Hodus]

Selecting the right vendor in a NaaS implementation can directly impact your success. The vendor you choose should be able to assess your NaaS readiness and offer a solution that supports your desired business or operational outcomes.  Here are some things to consider:

Tools and resources

Does your NaaS provider offer sales and implementation tools to drive your success? For sales, having an assessment tool to show your customers their propensity to move to NaaS and an ROI calculator to illustrate the differences between a CapEx and OpEx investment is table stakes. For implementation teams, an installation guide that includes a checklist of requirements and clear, structured processes is essential for seamless set up and ensuring success. These resources not only facilitate informed decision making, but also help optimize the transition.

Training and implementation

Determine the effort required to set up your solution and understand what the learning curve will be. Many vendors will provide training, but it may not be included in the cost of the implementation. Prioritize NaaS vendors who offer well-established processes, comprehensive implementation guides, and best practices for design and deployment. These elements can significantly contribute to a successful start and streamlined execution.

Pilot 

While a solution may appear to be an ideal fit on paper, it may not align with actual expectations or needs. Is your vendor willing to commit business development funding that can help you mitigate the risk of moving to a new subscription-based implementation? Are you able to establish a pilot to showcase the technology’s value? The willingness of a vendor to share the risk not only demonstrates their commitment to your success, but also provides assurance that you will have the necessary support throughout your pilot.

Support

When it comes to support, no matter how diligent your selection process, issues may arise. From planning to deployment, operating to optimizing, it’s important to thoroughly evaluate the availability, quality, and extent of the included services to ensure you receive timely help when you need it.

Proven track record

Consider a vendor’s experience and presence in the networking space. It’s important to look at both longevity and their commitment to innovation. Are they leveraging cutting-edge technology? Do they have a clear, forward looking roadmap indicative of their commitment to long-term development? Do they actively gather customer feedback and make product adjustments accordingly? Moreover, do they have satisfied customers who are willing to share their experiences or diverse use cases that demonstrate the value of NaaS across different industries and company sizes? These factors can serve as strong indicators of capability and credibility in the networking arena.

By carefully assessing and choosing a vendor with the above qualities, you can greatly enhance your chances of building a successful NaaS practice.

 More information:

• Selling NaaS: A quantifiable approach for partners

• How partners can leverage CEM in HPE GreenLake for Networking service packs

• Hardware matters in NaaS