How enterprise networks can boost Cloud Continuum experience

From insights to action, the path to extraordinary value starts here.
How to boost experiences
in the Cloud Continuum
Modern
Enterprise
Networks

From the advent of software-defined networking to the
shift to the cloud, to the prospect of faster 5G connected
devices that provide anywhere, everywhere access,
the sheer pace of change in enterprise networks can
sometimes seem overwhelming.
In fact, cloud hyperscalers are consistently releasing new
networking products and services to the market. This is
in addition to traditional network hardware companies
picking up their own pace of innovation. The result is that
the speed of evolution in network technology is probably
now two to three times greater than it was just a few
years ago.
Networks are
now evolving at
extraordinary speed
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The affect of all this network innovation? Enterprise IT leaders must
confront a rapidly and continuously expanding array of new and
improved connectivity options. Understandably, many are wary of
the potential risks. They want confirmation these new technologies
have been rigorously tested and are ready for prime time. And
they’re looking for proof points that network innovations can deliver
value at scale.
However, they also know that delay can be just as big a risk. Wait
too long to adopt new technology and the current network simply
falls further behind the innovation curve. When that happens,
technology debt starts to grow exponentially and the network can
end up throttling the whole organization and encumbering large
investments like cloud, especially as the demand for anywhere,
everywhere connectivity continues to expand ever faster.
The innovator’s dilemma

Network’s critical
role in experience
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That matters because networks have a pivotal role to play in
delivering the seamless, secure, and richer workplace experiences
that unlock the true value of the Cloud Continuum. Accenture
believes rethinking enterprise networks with modern cloud-native
technologies and next-generation wireless connectivity is a
fundamental part of delivering those experiences.
What’s more, based on our experience as both a consumer and
implementer of these innovative networking technologies, we’ve
identified a series of key use cases that prove the value at scale for
large enterprises — while providing rigorous security.

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In particular, we believe
advances in SD-WAN,
5G and network security
are enabling enterprises
to innovate, create new
experiences, and open new
business opportunities like
never before.

Here’s how…
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Copyright © 2022 Accenture. All rights reserved.

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SD-WAN and Cloud WAN —
Agile, scalable, cost-effective
connectivity

As more and more enterprise applications are
consumed as a service via the internet, and as more
and more people have come to expect seamless
connectivity at all times and from all locations, the
whole focus of enterprise IT has shifted.
No longer centered around the enterprise data
center, that focus now encompasses the entire
Cloud Continuum — including multiple public
clouds, private clouds, and edge devices. That
changed the whole topology of the enterprise
network. And SD-WAN has emerged as a key
enterprise technology as a result.
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Enhancing experience
Because SD-WAN enables a closer, more direct
connection between the end-user and the cloud,
there’s less need to route traffic through the enterprise
data center. That means greater flexibility, higher
performance, and massively increased efficiency for
the network. And it means more reliable, more seamless
connectivity for users.
What’s more, SD-WAN enables granular visibility and
control of the whole network from a single centralized
place. So IT teams can spot, fix and head off network
issues before they cause widespread problems, or are
even noticed by users. IT can also quickly adapt and
improve the network for priority applications and richer
types of media — video streaming, for example — and so
further enhance the end-user experience.

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Adding agility
Then there’s the impact on organizational agility. For example, SD-WAN
enables remote zero-touch provisioning on demand. When combined
with concepts like SASE (Secure Access Service Edge), it means new
sites can have their networks spun up and down securely in a matter of
hours — something that would likely have taken months of work back in
the days of point-to-point connections and on-site configuration.
Whether it’s quickly setting up a new branch location, moving or
exiting an existing site, or incorporating an acquisition, that speed to
connection can transform the organization’s ability to react to new
business circumstances and capitalize on new opportunities.

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Capitalizing on the cloud
hyperscalers
With a growing number of SD-WAN solutions available in
the cloud, enterprises can also now ride the networking
backbone of the global cloud hyperscalers to further
enhance network performance and agility.
That even includes the network edge. Services like Amazon
Outposts, Azure Stack Edge and Google Distributed Cloud
means enterprises can run hyperscaler infrastructure
on-premises or in their edge locations, creating a more
consistent hybrid experience and a single place to manage
security policies.
What’s more, because these cloud-native services
are offered under a consumption model, the business
only pays for what it needs. That shift from capital
to operating expenditure can transform the cost-
effectiveness of the overall network.

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5G —
Taking networks
to new places

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The next generation of cellular technology is
also set to radically change the potential of
enterprise networks. In fact, 80% of executives
surveyed by Accenture believe 5G will have
a transformational impact on their business.
Companies that invest in 5G networks
alongside cloud and innovation capabilities are
expected to grow revenues 2.5X faster than
their competitors.
There are already numerous 5G use cases
for enterprises to consider…

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5G in the workplace.
Although Wi-Fi is becoming increasingly prevalent, anyone who
regularly connects on the move knows that spotty connections
and fragmented experiences are still too frequent. By equipping
the enterprise with 5G-enabled sensors, smartphones, laptops,
wearables, cameras and beyond, enterprises can avoid many of these
connectivity issues. Additionally, 5G can transform day-to-day work
by enabling seamless connectivity from a much broader range of
locations as well as on-the-go.

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5G in manufacturing.
For manufacturers, 5G has key applications in areas
like quality assurance, factory floor automation, worker
safety, and inventory tracking. For example, Accenture
is working with TIM Brazil to implement a private 5G
network at a Stellantis automotive plant. The solution,
which also includes multi-access edge compute, artificial
intelligence, IoT and video analytics technologies,
enables real-time inspections of vehicles as they move
along the production line. This enhances the quality,
compliance and efficiency of production — and is
possible thanks to the low latency and the high data
threshold of the 5G network.

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5G in oil and gas and mining.
For Natural Resources companies, 5G has applications
in areas like real-time connected workers, worker safety,
connected site operations and autonomous hauling. In
particular, it opens up the potential to extend cellular
connectivity into the refinery, where Wi-Fi performance has
been historically spotty. 5G also offers a solution to certain
remote and inaccessible locations that wires simply can’t
reach — such as oil rigs, mines, and other isolated facilities.
At Phillips 66, for example, Accenture worked with
AT&T to develop an industrial private wireless solution.
One that helped address performance and coverage gaps
Phillips 66 had inside one of its refineries in Belle Chasse,
Louisiana. By leveraging AT&T’s dedicated cellular network
solution, using multi-access edge compute across licensed
spectrum, Accenture was able to record significant speed
and signal strength improvements within the process
units of the refinery. This resulted in the delivery of reliable
communications that Phillips 66 could use to drive
connected worker use cases while laying the foundation for
future digital transformation initiatives enabled by 5G.

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5G in healthcare.
For healthcare companies, 5G has applications in
connected hospitals, remote patient monitoring, smart
ambulances and more. Consider, for example, how a
hospital in Germany used 5G to improve communication
between its specialties and to transfer large volumes of
data more quickly and securely. Working with Deutsche
Telecom, the hospital set up a new 5G campus network
that’s able to handle high data volumes and enable
the secure exchange of sensitive patient information
between different medical specialties. The hope is
that this easier and faster sharing of data will improve
assessment and treatment outcomes.

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5G and sustainability.
A huge 80% of respondents to Accenture’s survey believe 5G
will be critical to enterprise sustainability — in particular through
energy efficiency, optimized transportation and remote monitoring.
This applies to a wide range of potential industry use cases, from
monitoring remote mining and industrial facilities in real time to reduce
the risk of environmental disasters, to identifying and reducing raw
materials wastage in manufacturing, to transforming the transparency
and efficiency of supply chains.
Utilities, for example, face the challenge of modernizing the grid
and increasing resiliency and security as they shift away from fossil
fuels to renewable energy sources. It’s why in North America, the
Infrastructure, Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) is unlocking billions of
dollars to help utility companies improve the grid by leveraging new
network technology and deployments. Accenture is working with
several Utilities now on grid modernization strategies, as well as
business case development, private cellular deployments in the field
area network (FAN), and increasing security along the transmission and
distribution lines and at substations.

It’s better together: the
combinatorial power of 5G and
other digital technologies.
Accenture’s research reveals that businesses think 5G can be much more powerful when
combined with other new technologies. Its true power is unlocked in combination with
other digital technologies. In particular, respondents identified artificial intelligence and
machine learning (67%), cloud computing (59%), and the Internet of Things (58%) as key
complementary technologies.* They also ranked augmented and virtual reality, edge
computing, and blockchain among their priorities.
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* Accenture Research

Enterprise Cloud Networking
Network security —
The lynchpin of modern
connectivity experiences
Modern Enterprise Networks 19

Enterprise networks are being pushed harder than ever as
organizations expand their use of new digital technologies,
cloud services and capabilities like edge computing. The vast
expansion of digital devices means an equally large increase in
potential security risks. So network security is an absolute must.
But bolt-on security practices can be problematic as well. For
example, detecting a breach in the network may trigger the
introduction of extra security policies that slow response rates
and unintentionally degrade user experiences.
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This concurrent approach limits the threat landscape while
offering quality experiences. And modern security tooling
allows you to mobilize machine learning to proactively
identify potential threats while simultaneously introducing
opportunities for real-time resolution. Enterprise networks
that still rely on five- or 10-year-old security architectures
miss out on this opportunity.
User experiences must
be developed with
security in mind.

How to get started
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For all the undoubted promise of SD-WAN and 5G, many enterprises
still struggle to build the right business case and deploy the right
technology for their needs. Why is this? Accenture’s survey revealed
some of the key barriers to 5G adoption in particular, though they likely
apply to networks generally.
* Accenture Research
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These include finding the right talent (77%),
ensuring security during transformation
(67%), the complexity of managing legacy
systems (67%), and securing funding (57%).*

The recent history of enterprise network infrastructure has been characterized by organic expansion and short-term
“bolt on” fixes. That approach has come to the end of its useful life. Enterprises now should consider five steps to
modernizing their networks:
01 02 04
03 05
Build a secure
network
foundation for
cloud services
The first step is to help
ensure that building a
secure and integrated
network architecture is a
core part of the broader
cloud strategy.
Set up the
software-defined
network for a
hybrid/multi-cloud
environment
For an enterprise to be truly
cloud enabled, it should aim
to create an integrated WAN
and/or 5G architecture that
operates not only between
all corporate locations,
but also between all cloud
locations (public, private, or
hybrid).
Ensure Resilience
by Design
It’s essential to build
enough redundancy into
the network to create
resilience across the whole
system such that, ideally,
no single outage can ever
impact users’ abilities to
access services.
Automate
as a Rule
A highly automated
programmable network
layer (integrated with
cloud workloads and
enterprise tools) is now a
key enterprise capability
and vastly accelerates the
network’s ability to flex with
the needs of the business.
Build your
network for new
ways of working
In today’s world, the goal
is to optimize the network
to enable everyone in the
enterprise to access cloud
services from anywhere
and everywhere — but with
the right level of security,
the right bandwidth, the
right performance, and at
the right cost.
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Time to rethink the
network for next-gen
experiences
As the center of gravity of enterprise IT has shifted from the data center to the
cloud, so has the focus of the enterprise network fundamentally changed.
Traditional approaches — characterized by point-to-point connections,
everything running through the data center and manually intensive work
practices — are rapidly being eclipsed by more flexible, software-defined,
automated, cloud-based networks and faster 5G connectivity.
The pace of change is undeniably high. But it’s vital that enterprise networks
do not get left behind. The objective should be to identify proven use cases
that leverage next-generation network technology — and prioritize them by
the additional agility, scalability, performance, and security they offer.
Ultimately, network transformation is a key pillar of business
reinvention in the Cloud Continuum — an essential requirement for
delivering the speedy, seamless and secure experiences that people
now expect and demand.

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About the authors Acknowledgements
Nick Baird
Managing Director, Cloud First Networks,
North America
Nick leads North America Cloud First
Network delivery encompassing
network design, planning and
engineering services across all
client groups.
MarkFlynn
Senior Principal, Accenture Research
SwatiVyas
Manager, Accenture Research
AndreaOrlando
Associate Manager, Accenture Research
JakubWiatrak
Specialist, Accenture Research
Modern Enterprise Networks
Ryan Wickham
Global Lead, Enterprise Networks
GTM, Cloud First
Ryan has more than 20 years
of experience helping clients
in all industries transform their
network, voice, collaboration and
call center capabilities.

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