Ciena Transforming Managed Service Provider Offerings with Virtual Services Platform

In response to significant changes in the way network resources and services are consumed, Ciena is introducing a software solution that establishes an entirely new business model for Managed Services Providers (MSPs).

Ciena’s innovative approach enables providers to adopt a more agile and profitable strategy for adding and expanding network services and appliance functionality with a simple web interface and a consumption-based billing model. Linking the managed services model with the key trend of virtualization, Ciena’s new virtual services software platform, Agility Matrix, modernizes the acquisition, distribution, consumption and payment of virtualized network functions (VNF) and allows enterprises to drastically improve performance of all enterprise and cloud-based applications and better manage distributed networks.

Included in Ciena’s new Agility Matrix software are VNF Market, an open, online marketplace for a variety of third-party VNFs, and Director, a management and orchestration engine. Using a virtual network interface similar to an online shopping experience, where users can drag and drop items into their carts, new network services such as encryption, firewalls, and VPNs can be delivered as managed services in a matter of minutes versus days or weeks. Ciena is building out its VNF Market, currently working with several leading virtual appliance vendors, including BlackRidge Technology, Brocade, Certes Networks, Silver Peak and Spirent Communications.

Ciena also announced today that it established a new business division, Ciena Agility, to power service velocity, innovation and business value across the wide area network (WAN). This division includes dedicated resources for software development, product line management, product marketing, service and support, sales and business development, and has full accountability for delivering network control and application software technologies to help providers deliver a true on-demand user experience. Ciena Agility is led by Kevin Sheehan as vice president and general manager, and encompasses the SDN Multilayer WAN Controller and its applications, V-WAN, the Agility Matrix solution announced today, including VNF Market and Director, as well as all future SDN and NFV development.

“We are transforming raw capacity into capability that delivers on-demand network-based services in a manner that mimics the ease and instantaneous nature of an online shopping experience. The new Ciena Agility division is organized to quickly respond to the market demand for these customer-driven software solutions,” said,  Kevin Sheehan, vice president and general manager, Ciena Agility.