Deploying Multi-Vendors in network environments

On the basis of information collected from the two authors from hundreds of client interactions and detailed interviews of nine organizations which have introduced a second vendor into their network environments. So, the findings show that most organizations should consider a dual-vendor or multi-vendor solution as a viable approach to building their network which will also provide significant savings with no increase in network complexity, with improvement in the focus on meeting business requirements.
KEY FINDINGS of the research:
1. By introducing a second vendor into the network infrastructure, it will have no long tern impact on operational costs for organizations following best practices.
2. It will also reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) for most organization by at least 15% to 25% over a five year time frame.
3. No case was found where operational cost savings would offset the equipment cost premium that Cisco generally charges.
4. Most of the organizations also reported a lasting decrease in network complexity, compared with an all-Cisco network.
5. Network operations that are already using some form of multi vendor management tools for fault alerting, configuration management or performance management are well-positioned to take advantage of the second vendor opportunity.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
- The Network architects and CIOs must consider alternative network vendors to ensure that they deliver a functional network solution at an appropriate cost point.
- Network operations teams should invest in multivendor-capable tools to help enable the organization to deal with a second vendor in their infrastructure and to improve the operational capabilities with their incumbent solution.


REFERENCE:
- MARK FABBI, DEBRA CURTIS.
- © 2010 GARTNER Inc.