Verizon Enterprise Solutions has debuted its Software Defined Wireless Local Area Network (SD WLAN), giving business customers what it says is a user-centric wireless LAN managed solution.
Delivered as part of its growing Virtual Network Services portfolio, SD WLAN provides visibility into both the corporate wireless network operations and Bluetooth-enabled devices connected to the network, with an eye toward improving the user experience.
By using SD WLAN, network access and security configurations can be tailored to the individual user.
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At the heart of Verizon’s SD WLAN solution is Mist Systems’ artificial intelligence and machine learning technology. By using Mist’s technology, Verizon can automatically monitor and manage the wireless LAN.
User and network data is analyzed in real time and used to identify network choke points, unauthorized user access attempts. The system can also scale network resources up or down to meet demand.
“SD WLAN leverages the advanced intelligence and machine learning offered through Mist Systems’ platform to improve network management and operations while controlling costs,” said Vickie Lonker, vice president, product management and development at Verizon, in a release.
But this is not just another business product offering. Lonker said that SD WLAN “is the next step in our overall SDN strategy.”
Businesses that use SD WLAN could improve the user experience by tailoring services based on user need and location while controlling costs by using less hardware at their customer premises. Additionally, the service can proactively solve issues and increase automation and system intelligence to enable faster network configuration and improved operational controls.
Besides offering deep metrics and improved performance, Verizon’s SD WLAN includes virtual beacon technology and next-generation location-based services. This could include, but it not limited to integrating with IoT devices for location based security and sensor controls as well as targeted proximity messaging for deeper engagement with customer’s employees and guests.