Choice is a brilliant luxury. From what to eat for dinner to where to go at the weekend, many of us are lucky to have an overwhelming amount of choice at our fingertips. It’s the same in the tech world, where there are thousands of software vendors, cloud platforms and equipment manufacturers to choose from. CIOs and their teams can choose based on experience, existing vendors, recommendations or to build a custom solution with the best fit for each need.  

Yet despite all this choice, we know that many customers have a clear vision and preference about the vendors they bring into their business. It could be to match existing technology, building on existing relationships or simply preference built up over years of experience. As one example, it’s predicted that “by 2027, 65% of new SD-WAN purchases will be part of a single vendor SASE offering, which is an increase from 20% in 2024.” * 

The approach we take with customers on their network and transformation initiatives is to balance choice with cost, simplicity and performance. We’re always adding to our vendor partner list, including new Cisco Meraki, Aruba, Fortinet, Palo Alto and Juniper  recently added to our SD WAN solution. But we remain vendor agnostic so that we can offer impartial guidance on what will deliver the best result. Through our consultative approach and commitment to understanding your needs, we are able to support you, even if you have already identified your preferred vendor. 

Having the ability to choose the vendor that will suit your growing and changing needs means you will be able to choose a solution that adapts to your current needs and future plans. Getting the balance right brings a big list of potential benefits.  

 

  • Flexibility and Customisation: Having multiple options allows IT teams to select the best tools and services that fit their specific needs and requirements. Different vendors will offer unique features and capabilities that could suit your company better. 
  • Cost Efficiency: Competition among vendors can lead to better pricing and more favourable contract terms. IT departments can leverage this competition to negotiate better deals and reduce costs. 
  • Risk Mitigation: Relying on a single vendor can be risky if that vendor experiences issues such as service outages, security breaches, or business failures. Diversifying vendors helps mitigate these risks and ensures continuity of operations. 
  • Innovation and Technology Advancements: Different vendors often bring different innovations and advancements to the table. By working with multiple vendors, IT teams can stay at the forefront of technology and benefit from the latest developments. 
  • Vendor Independence: Avoiding vendor lock-in is crucial for maintaining control over IT infrastructure. A broad vendor base ensures that the organisation is not overly dependent on any single provider, giving them more freedom to switch vendors if needed. 
  • Support and Service Quality: Different vendors may offer varying levels of support and service quality. Having multiple vendors allows IT teams to choose those that provide the best support and service for their needs. 

You might feel overwhelmed by the variety of vendors available, or perhaps you have no specific preference. In either case, we can assist you in navigating the options based on your unique requirements and objectives. 

Lastly, while choosing the right technology vendor is important, partnering with the right expert is crucial. This partner will not only transform your critical digital infrastructure but also tailor solutions to your unique requirements. They will guide you through every step of the transition, ensuring you maximize the benefits of the technology and achieve your objectives seamlessly. 

To find out more about how we can help you pick the best approach, get in touch today.  

 

*Gartner®, 2025 Strategic Roadmap for Enterprise Networking, Karen Brown, Tim Zimmerman, Andrew Lerner, Mike Leibovitz, 22 October 2024. 

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