The Path to an Autonomous Network

There is no single path to digital transformation. Each enterprise embarks on its journey from a different starting point, with or without legacy systems, varying levels of technical debt and varying levels of expertise and capabilities to get there.

No matter your starting point, the network is critical to digital transformation. An intelligent network ensures seamless communication and connectivity across the business. It also enhances collaboration, workplace services, edge computing, cloud connectivity, security posture and enterprise sustainability.

What Is an Intelligent Network?

Intelligent networks represent the current phase of the evolution toward autonomous networks. An intelligent network incorporates advanced technologies and data analytics to enhance human decision-making and operational efficiency. The application of AI and machine learning helps humans monitor network performance and user behavior. Automated processes optimize performance based on real-time data, minimize the volume of routine tasks that require manual intervention and reduce manual errors. This application-centric infrastructure is what makes up an intelligent network.

An autonomous network takes the next step and operates independently with AI and machine learning, making decisive actions without human intervention. While intelligent networks augment human capabilities with smart insights, autonomous networks fully automate the work.

To prepare for an autonomous network, enterprises should now be on the journey to an intelligent network. Here are the benefits of an intelligent network:

Enhanced Collaboration
Intelligent networks are vital in supporting collaboration tools by optimizing bandwidth and reducing latency, which promotes seamless communication among teams. By efficiently directing network traffic and prioritizing applications that facilitate collaboration, organizations can empower their teams to work together, regardless of geographies. Business leaders highlight improved employee performance and innovation among teams when they have enhanced collaboration. As more teams are located across geographies and time zones, it is critical for an enterprise to have a network that enables innovation and improves overall organizational effectiveness.

Improving Workplace Services
Organizations are rapidly shifting to cloud-based applications and remote work configurations. As they do, they depend increasingly on seamless workplace services. Intelligent networks are designed to automate network management processes, ensuring that connectivity is robust and high performing throughout the enterprise. By continuously monitoring network performance, intelligent networks detect and resolve issues proactively, allowing employees to focus on their core tasks and fostering an agile work environment essential for successful digital transformation.

Optimizing Edge Computing

The rise in adoption rates for digital technology and IoT devices in recent years has made it essential for enterprises to have an edge computing strategy. Edge computing, while not new, continues to gain traction across industries that are driven by the adoption of AI, IoT and the need for real-time data processing.

Many organizations cite edge computing as part of an enterprise-wide digital transformation and part of their network transformation. Intelligent networks are key to managing data flows between edge devices and cloud resources, allowing organizations to process data closer to where it is generated. This capability not only reduces latency but also enhances operational efficiency, enabling enterprises to maximize the potential of real-time analytics and respond rapidly to market changes. When an intelligent network facilitates efficient edge computing, an organization can unlock new business models and services along their digital transformation journey.

For example, manufacturing and logistics organizations implement edge computing for real-time equipment monitoring, factories apply edge AI to monitor production machinery for predictive maintenance purposes, and healthcare providers use edge computing for remote patient monitoring. Other use cases include smart cities, autonomous cars and edge-powered traffic management solutions.

Ensuring Cloud Connectivity

In the current digital economy, cloud connectivity is essential. As businesses adopt multi cloud-based applications, interconnectivity takes on an even greater significance. According to ISG Research, as referenced in Why Interconnectivity Should Be a Strategic Priority, 74% of enterprises claim interconnectivity performance is a critical component in business resilience and a further 75% say customer experience suffers in businesses with sub-optimal interconnectivity.

Multi-cloud connectivity needs optimal bandwidth to ensure consistent performance across various cloud services, so users can seamlessly access the necessary resources and applications. By leveraging intelligent networks, organizations can improve application performance, reduce network complexity and capitalize on the advantages offered by cloud computing.

Enhancing Security

As enterprises increasingly digitize their environments, the cyber threats they face grow increasingly complex. In fact, 40% of IT leaders cite cybersecurity as the number one concern impacting their network strategy. Intelligent networks can fortify security by incorporating advanced analytics, machine learning and real-time threat detection capabilities. These features help organizations proactively protect sensitive data, which reduces the risk of breaches while ensuring compliance with industry regulations. Differentiated security policies protect the network and data across diverse environments such as remote working, cloud connectivity, on-premises, hybrid and IoT deployments and maintain a resilient foundational layer that can withstand evolving threats.

Sustainability Considerations

As organizations pursue digital transformation, they also must align their sustainability objectives. In the ISG Digital Sustainability Study, enhancing sustainability was cited prominently among long-term enterprise targets and challenges. Intelligent networks help with these goals by promoting efficient resource utilization, diminishing energy consumption and minimizing the environmental impact associated with data transmission. For example, by harnessing edge computing capabilities, organizations can process data locally, which boosts bandwidth efficiency and reduces overall energy costs. Intelligent networks also enhance social responsibility by providing inclusive collaboration tools that support diverse and remote teams. On the governance front, these networks strengthen data transparency and security protocols, aiding compliance with regulatory requirements in safeguarding sensitive information.

A Strategy for Implementing an Intelligent Network

Intelligent networks are more than just technological upgrades or evolutionary path toward autonomous networks; they represent a fundamental layer that empowers enterprises as they navigate the complexities of digital transformation.

To effectively integrate intelligent networks into digital transformations, organizations must follow a few key strategies. This should begin with conducting a comprehensive assessment of the current network infrastructure to identify integration challenges, prioritize needs and pinpoint gaps to address before determining which network solutions to implement to meet future business demands.

The second step is to establish a clear and realistic plan for implementing an intelligent network. Be sure to allocate the necessary resources for research and development, procurement and deployment of advanced systems. Put in place solid data governance policies to protect sensitive information and uphold compliance with relevant data and AI sovereignty regulations. This proactive approach will boost the enterprises success and foster trust and confidence among stakeholders.

While the advantages of intelligent networks are clear, their implementation within a broader digital transformation can be challenging. Integration can be lengthy and complex, demanding considerable resources and specialized expertise. ISG helps organizations transform their network to become a competitive differentiator, advising on global market trends, designing network roadmaps and addressing strategic sourcing strategies and events to identify the right-fit partner and provide long-term governance services. Contact us to find out how we can help your organization.