Airtel and Cisco Unveil SD-Branch for Seamless Network Management

On September 19, 2024, Airtel Business, the B2B division of Bharti Airtel, and Cisco, a global leader in networking and security, introduced the Airtel Software-Defined (SD) Branch. This new solution offers a simple, secure, and cloud-based network management system for businesses.

Powered by Cisco Meraki’s cloud-first technology, Airtel SD-Branch allows companies to manage their entire network—including LAN, WAN, security, and connectivity—across multiple locations from one place. It aims to make network management easier, improve application performance, and provide more flexibility and control over the network infrastructure.

Sharat Sinha, CEO – Airtel Business, said, “We are thrilled to announce the launch of our revolutionary network solution for enterprises in the country, in partnership with ‘Cisco Meraki India Region’. The service is created to prioritise core business outcomes over IT management. This will provide customers with a simplified network solution that scales effortlessly, enabling users to access business applications with enhanced performance and security”. 

Airtel SD-Branch is designed to address the complex network needs of businesses in sectors like retail, education, banking, and healthcare. It simplifies network management by providing easy setup and reliable connections across multiple branch locations. Combining Airtel’s broad connectivity solutions with Cisco’s expertise in secure networking, this solution offers a centralised platform for managing network needs more efficiently.

In today’s hybrid work environment, employees work from various locations and use different connections, which creates challenges for businesses trying to connect and protect people and devices across managed and unmanaged networks. Cisco’s Cybersecurity Readiness Index reports that 92% of companies in India have employees accessing company platforms from unmanaged devices, and 48% spend a significant amount of time on company networks from these devices. Additionally, 39% of employees switch between at least 6 networks weekly.

Airtel SD-Branch addresses these issues with features like central network management, user-friendly dashboards, automated processes, advanced analytics, and high-performance connectivity. It can be customised to fit specific business needs and offers flexible subscription models that allow businesses to scale their networks as required.

About Bharti Airtel Limited

Airtel, based in India, is a major global communications provider with over 550 million customers in 17 countries across South Asia and Africa. It ranks among the top 3 mobile operators worldwide, serving over two billion people. 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet and is subject to changes. Please consult an expert before making related decisions.