The Global NaaS Event (GNE) 2024, organized by MEF in Arlington, TX, showcased significant advancements in Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) and highlighted MEF’s efforts to streamline global enterprise connectivity. MEF, an association of technology vendors and service providers, has been at the forefront of developing specifications and frameworks to enhance NaaS adoption. The conference underscored key milestones, including the expansion of the Enterprise Leadership Council (ELC), advancements in vendor and service provider SASE certifications, and the widespread industry adoption of the Lifecycle Service Orchestration (LSO) API.
Expansion of Enterprise Leadership Council (ELC)
Diversifying Industry Representation
MEF originally formed the ELC to incorporate enterprise perspectives into its work on NaaS APIs, specifications, and frameworks. Initially composed of four founding members, the ELC has now expanded to 14 members. This expansion is noteworthy as it diversifies the vertical industry mix among the ELC members. Industries represented now include entertainment, financial services, banking, retail, technology, healthcare, and consulting. The new members bring a wealth of experience and insights that can significantly impact the development and refinement of NaaS solutions.
The inclusion of enterprises such as Accenture, Bloomberg LP, Google Enterprise Network, Morgan Stanley, TD Bank, UPMC, Williams-Sonoma, and others provides a broader understanding of diverse connectivity requirements needed across various sectors. For instance, retail and healthcare industries highlight the variations in connectivity needs—retailers require homogeneous connectivity across global outlets, while healthcare institutions need secure channels to share large medical files and patient records. By addressing these varied demands, MEF ensures that its solutions are both robust and versatile, catering to the unique challenges faced by each industry.
Shaping NaaS Initiatives
The influence of the ELC on MEF’s NaaS initiatives is profound, as the council’s contributions help shape efforts to address both current and future industry needs. Integrating a wide range of industry voices into its initiatives allows MEF to enhance the NaaS framework, making it more adaptable and relevant to diverse enterprise requirements. This collaborative dynamic is crucial for developing solutions that are not only technologically advanced but also practically applicable across various sectors.
The ELC’s role in guiding MEF’s NaaS projects underscores the importance of collaboration in the tech industry. By leveraging the expertise of professionals from different fields, MEF ensures that its framework remains cutting-edge and aligned with industry demands. This approach also emphasizes the necessity of considering specific sector challenges when designing connectivity solutions, promoting an environment where tailored services can thrive. The expansion of the ELC thus marks a significant step forward in bolstering the relevance and effectiveness of MEF’s NaaS initiatives.
Lifecycle Service Orchestration (LSO) API Adoption
Automating Global Connectivity
One of the defining goals of NaaS is to emulate the simplicity and flexibility that cloud services offer, providing an on-demand subscription model for connectivity. Achieving this level of service requires the seamless coordination of multiple providers and vendors, making automation an indispensable component. MEF’s Lifecycle Service Orchestration (LSO) APIs are central to this automation effort, facilitating smooth operational and business functions among the various parties engaged in delivering a complete connectivity service.
A notable example of MEF’s commitment to automation is the recently introduced LSO Circuit Impairment & Maintenance (CIM) Service API. This API is designed to automate the reporting and scheduling of network circuit issues and maintenance to enterprises. By streamlining these communications, the CIM Service API ensures that network problems are promptly addressed and maintenance notifications are efficiently handled, significantly reducing downtime and improving service reliability. This level of automation is fundamental for NaaS to deliver the cloud-like experience that enterprises expect.
Widespread Industry Adoption
The significant adoption of MEF’s LSO APIs by over 160 global service providers across 65 countries underscores the industry’s shift towards automated, standardized service delivery. This widespread embrace of LSO API functionality reflects a growing trend where businesses are increasingly relying on standardized processes to manage their connectivity services. Automation through LSO APIs is critical for achieving the desired cloud-like simplicity and efficiency in enterprise connectivity.
Daniel Bar Lev, Chief Product Officer at MEF, emphasized the importance of this trend, noting how the industry’s commitment to automation signals a broader movement towards more efficient and reliable service delivery. By reducing the manual processes traditionally involved in maintaining connectivity, businesses can expect faster, more consistent service experiences. The adoption of LSO APIs thus represents a pivotal moment for the NaaS industry, highlighting the push towards a future where automated connectivity solutions become the norm, enhancing overall operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Certifications for Enterprise Confidence
Ensuring Reliability and Security
Certifications play a critical role in assuring enterprises of the reliability and security of NaaS services. MEF offers comprehensive SASE certifications, which include aspects like SD-WAN, Security Service Edge (SSE), and Zero Trust capabilities. These certifications involve rigorous testing processes conducted in partnership with CyberRatings.org (CRO), a renowned security testing laboratory. The thorough testing ensures that certified solutions meet high standards of performance and security.
At the GNE 2024, MEF announced that 15 technology and service providers had achieved full SASE certification. Notable names include Fortinet, Versa, AT&T, BT, Colt, Comcast Business, Console Connect, Liberty Latin America, Lumen, Orange Business, TPG, and Verizon. These certifications are significant because they signal to enterprises that the solutions from these providers are reliable and secure. Meeting stringent security and performance standards is crucial for building enterprise trust and ensuring that NaaS services can be depended upon in various application scenarios.
Building Enterprise Trust
Certifications remain an essential component for enterprises considering the adoption of NaaS. The rigorous certification process guarantees that the services and technologies provided are secure and reliable, which is vital for maintaining enterprise trust. By obtaining these certifications, technology and service providers demonstrate their commitment to delivering NaaS solutions that meet the highest standards of security and performance. This assurance is critical for enterprises that rely on robust and secure connectivity for their operations.
These certifications not only validate the quality and security of the NaaS solutions but also play a role in promoting continuous improvement among providers. By adhering to the certification standards set by MEF, providers are motivated to maintain high levels of service quality and security. Consequently, enterprises can confidently adopt NaaS solutions, knowing that they are backed by rigorous testing and validation. This process helps build a trustworthy ecosystem where enterprises can fully leverage the benefits of NaaS without compromising on security and reliability.
Broader Industry Participation and Collaboration
Integrating Diverse Industry Insights
The evolving composition and involvement of the ELC underscore the importance of integrating diverse industry insights into NaaS development. The representation from various sectors, including entertainment, financial services, banking, retail, technology, healthcare, and consulting, highlights the necessity of tailored solutions that address specific connectivity needs. By tapping into the diverse knowledge and experience of ELC members, MEF can develop NaaS solutions that are not only technically sound but also aligned with the unique requirements of different industries.
This integration of diverse industry perspectives ensures that the NaaS solutions created are comprehensive and capable of addressing a wide range of challenges. For instance, the needs of the healthcare sector regarding secure data sharing can vastly differ from the retail industry’s demand for consistent connectivity across multiple locations. By considering these variations, MEF can create solutions that are robust, reliable, and suited to different operational contexts. This approach also fosters an environment where innovation thrives, as solutions are continually refined based on real-world needs and feedback.
Collaborative Approach to NaaS Development
The Global NaaS Event (GNE) 2024, hosted by MEF in Arlington, TX, showcased significant advancements in Network-as-a-Service (NaaS). This event emphasized MEF’s dedication to simplifying global enterprise connectivity. MEF, which comprises technology vendors and service providers, has been leading the charge in developing specifications and frameworks to enhance the adoption of NaaS.
The conference also highlighted notable achievements, such as the expansion of the Enterprise Leadership Council (ELC). Furthermore, it showcased advancements in both vendor and service provider Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) certifications. Another key focus was the widespread industry adoption of the Lifecycle Service Orchestration (LSO) API.
These milestones underscore MEF’s commitment to establishing robust standards and frameworks, promoting seamless connectivity and efficient network services. By driving innovation and collaboration, MEF continues to play a crucial role in the evolution of NaaS, ensuring that enterprises around the world can benefit from these technological advancements.
