In today’s fast-moving digital world, a strong and efficient SD-WAN is essential for linking your offices, data centers, and cloud platforms like Azure, AWS, and GCP. Many companies set up their first SD-WAN years ago and enjoyed the early benefits. However, technology keeps evolving, and some vendors have either been acquired or left the market. You might wonder when it’s time to upgrade or replace your old SD-WAN solution.

This article highlights clear signs that indicate it may be time to consider a new SD-WAN. We will review the main reasons your current SD-WAN or vendor might no longer meet your needs and why making a change can boost your network performance.

1. Your SD-WAN Vendor Is No Longer Innovating

When your SD-WAN provider is acquired, it may struggle to invest in new technologies. Large companies often focus on cutting costs and maximizing profits instead of developing innovative products. This can result in fewer product updates, weaker technical support, and a lack of fresh ideas that your network needs.

2. You Need Better Security Features

Initially, many SD-WAN vendors focused on reliable connectivity without advanced security features. Today, businesses require a comprehensive security suite that includes firewalls, antivirus, and threat protection built directly into the SD-WAN. If your current solution still forces you to add separate security products, it might be time to switch to an integrated solution.

3. Forced Upgrades and High Support Costs

Many vendors lock you into their ecosystem, forcing costly hardware or software upgrades with every network expansion. If you find that your vendor is pushing expensive upgrades or extending support fees, you should consider looking for a more cost-effective and flexible alternative.

4. Frequent Security Vulnerabilities

Security flaws in SD-WAN products are a serious concern. Over the last few years, many vendors have faced issues like remote code execution, privilege escalation, and other vulnerabilities. If your SD-WAN continues to suffer from these problems, it is wise to explore options that offer better security and more frequent updates.

5. The “Free” SD-WAN Trap

Some large vendors offer their SD-WAN solution for free as part of a bigger package. Although this might seem appealing, a free product can often be less reliable and less flexible. Over time, a sub-par SD-WAN can lead to higher costs due to additional workarounds, increased rollout time, or extra staffing needs.

6. Expired Certificates and Network Downtime

Small details matter. Expired digital certificates can lead to major network outages. If your SD-WAN vendor overlooks certificate management, your network may face unexpected downtime. Such incidents highlight the importance of choosing a vendor that manages these critical tasks properly.

7. Lack of Zero Trust Capabilities

Zero Trust is the future of network security. Currently, most Zero Trust solutions protect remote workers but do not cover branch offices or campus networks effectively. A unified solution that supports Zero Trust across your entire organization ensures a better user experience. If your SD-WAN does not support Zero Trust deployment, it might be time to look for a better option.

8. Limited Automation and AI Support

Managing a network without real-time insights is like driving with a blindfold. Legacy SD-WAN systems that lack automation and AI-driven operations force administrators to manually address issues, leading to delays and increased downtime. Modern SD-WAN solutions offer advanced automation and observability to keep your network running smoothly.

9. Inadequate Support for IoT Devices

The rapid growth of IoT in sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, and smart cities requires an SD-WAN that can manage and secure a large number of connected devices. If your current SD-WAN struggles with IoT device management, including device discovery, fingerprinting, and behavioral analysis, you should consider a solution that meets these challenges head-on.

10. Difficulty Handling 5G and Satellite Connectivity

New connectivity options like 5G and satellite networks are gaining traction, especially in remote areas. An advanced SD-WAN should support high-bandwidth, low-latency connections through innovative features like SIM-based SASE services and link bonding. If your SD-WAN cannot handle these emerging technologies, exploring alternative solutions is a smart move.

11. No Path to Unified SASE Convergence

Today’s network and security teams are tired of juggling multiple point products. A unified SASE platform combines SD-WAN, routing, firewall, SSE, and centralized management into one solution. This integration simplifies network management and enhances security. If your SD-WAN does not offer a clear path to a converged SASE architecture, it might be time to consider a new vendor.

Conclusion

As you approach the renewal date for your SD-WAN, assess whether your current system meets all your needs. If your legacy SD-WAN shows any of the issues listed above, it is time to consider a next-generation solution. There are many excellent SD-WAN products on the market today. The key is to find the one that aligns with your specific requirements, resources, and budget. Good luck in your search for a more advanced SD-WAN solution!

Recommendation of A reliable SD-WAN vendor—Ogcloud

The market now offers multiple advanced SD-WAN solutions featuring Zero Trust architecture, AI-driven operations, and seamless multi-cloud integration. The critical success factor lies in aligning technical specifications with your enterprise scale, operational requirements, and IT budget to identify the optimal solution.

As China’s leading SD-WAN solution provider, Ogcloud operates 36 global public cloud nodes, 100+ backbone network nodes, and 200+ edge nodes, backed by a powerful network engineering team. We specialize in developing next-generation SD-WAN technologies that deliver the latest innovations, maximum reliability, and cost-efficiency, having served over 50,000 enterprises and established deep partnerships with multiple Fortune 500 clients. For tailored solutions, contact our experts today!