Windstream Launches New SD-WAN Service with Fortinet

Industry-leading FortiGate Secure SD-WAN adds highly complementary option

Windstream Enterprise (WE), a leading provider of advanced network communications, announced today that it is expanding its SD-WAN portfolio solution to also include solutions based on technology vendor and security leader Fortinet. Windstream Enterprise has offered SD-WAN underpinned by VMware since 2017. The addition of Fortinet’s SD-WAN technology to the Windstream portfolio gives customers more choices and offers highly-secure, cloud-ready and rich networking capabilities combined with a next-generation firewall offering—regardless of connection type or carrier.

“Business customers are increasingly looking for security that is native to their WAN,” said Mike Frane, vice president of product management at Windstream Enterprise. “The Fortinet SD-WAN technology is particularly attractive due to its security pedigree. It complements our offer, broadening its appeal to customers at all levels of the enterprise spectrum.”

Fortinet’s SD-WAN capabilities, made available on the same device as their leading Next-Gen Firewall (NGFW) edge device with UTM (Unified Threat Management), deliver a powerful alternative for businesses looking to simplify their networking and security. Consolidating these network functions adds efficiency and lowers overhead, increasing the solution’s appeal.

“Windstream’s proven market leadership in the SD-WAN space is now complemented by Fortinet’s brand recognition and leadership in the security marketplace,” said John Maddison, executive vice president, products and solutions at Fortinet. “With a FortiGate option for Windstream Enterprise SD-WAN, customers have access to unparalleled security combined with leading WAN technology in a single offering.”

In general, SD-WAN provides a cost-effective upgrade path from MPLS-based network solutions to greater reliability and performance. Coupled with Windstream’s diverse access portfolio including ethernet, broadband and fixed wireless to create hybrid networks, SD-WAN delivers a level of application performance unmatched for the price. Integrating network and security functions creates a cost-effective solution that may be especially attractive to SMB and mid-market customers. Windstream Enterprise’s SD-WAN solution is fully-managed and —regardless of the platform option selected — may be paired with Cloud Connect, for highly-secure, private and high-performance connections to cloud-based applications. The WE Connect digital experience, offered through a portal as well as on mobile devices via the WE Connect portal app, extends the operator experience to mobile devices, enabling agile and efficient SD-WAN management.

Source: Windstream Enterprise media announcement