Study: Single-vendor network has operational edge

Customers want a simple, scalable network that's safe, reliable and easy to administer, says a new report from research firm Deloitte Consulting.

The new study, which focused on enterprises with between 2,000 and 10,000 users, found that cost tended to be a lesser factor with customers than potential operational risk.

The Cisco (Nasdaq: CSCO)-commissioned study found that there was "no material cost differences" between single-vendor and multi-vendor architectures over time, reports CRN.

Deloitte conducted extensive interviews with 15 enterprise customers that used a variety of networking products.

"A big takeaway is that when talking to business leaders, they don't look at the network as a network budget, they look at it as an IT and business operations budget," said Chris Weitz, director of technology strategy and architecture at Deloitte Consulting. "Operationally and functionally, what we clearly find from customers surveys is the classic 'keep it simple' rule. Complex systems tend to break down. And this isn't about standards, but about operational usage and operational effects."

The report contends that multi-vendor networks oftentimes struggle with interoperability as vendors aren't always aware of competing products capabilities. Plus, products on different refresh cycles may cut into potential savings "by accelerated depreciation losses caused by retiring older equipment before it has reached the end of its useful life,"reported Deloitte.

For more:
- see this report

Special Report: Ensuring interoperability

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