Transforming enterprise networks is a must for companies replatforming their business on cloud and developing new solutions at the edge. Moreover, the next generation of mobile networks will be built on cloud. Cloud-enabled networks are more open, agile, more secure, and offer greater experience.
Accenture’s enterprise network transformation program is well under way. The move toward commodity-based connectivity powered by the internet and cloud services simplifies all aspects of our network. It will be more secure, less complex, and higher performing.
Security will be enhanced by placing identity at the core of our cloud security. It is the new firewall. It involves basing access on identity. Identity also fundamentally drives zero trust. Zero trust does not mean not trusting anything. Instead, zero trust is the proper and continuous validation between systems and points of access of activity of people.
Our network transformation is projected to reduce our asset-heavy core and fixed costs. The change enables us to operate in a highly optimized consumption model, only paying for what we need with supply aligned to demand in real time. We’ll gain business agility from having an enterprise network that is highly consumable with capacity that can flex up and down in real time. And we’ll ease the impact on our workforce through greater consolidation and upskilling developers by enabling them to directly write code to provision cloud network services, omitting intermediate players.
Our transformation will also generate the untapped potential of reducing Accenture’s carbon footprint by eliminating hundreds of network assets hosted in dozens of hosting facilities around the world. By moving away from a fixed private network to using shared networks, we will only consume the network resources—and associated carbon footprint—that is required.
Benefits of our network transformation:
Cost-effective
Shifting most of our traffic directly to the internet rather than using a private core decreases cost per unit by aligning capacity to business demand.
Cost reductions
Positions Accenture for an estimated cost savings of $15‒$20 million per year.
Secure by design
Allows our people to work anywhere while providing protection for end points and data, reducing our attack surface area and protecting our reputation.
Business agility
Phasing out a heavy and passive network environment supports Accenture’s ability to innovate as fast as desired.
User experience
A consistent connectivity approach regardless of location coupled with more direct access to applications and content improves the user experience.
Simplified design
Negating the need to connect offices to a private backbone simplifies office design, improves deployment time, and eases operational impact.
Sustainability
Moving away from static networks that are built for peak loads to a consumption model that is aligned to real-time demand reduces our carbon footprint.
