Optimizing WAN technology reduces the cost of infrastructure at remote branches through centralizing IT applications, server, backup, and storage resources. WAN optimization techniques like bandwidth management, caching, compression, and protocol optimization significantly minimizes the bandwidth expenses.

1. Benefits of WAN Optimization
Appliances/Devices
In today's globally competitive market, corporate organizations both big and small adopt
strategic methods for productivity and business continuity. They need integrated business plans,
resource sharing, and faster communications over the global network. Many of these companies
are widely using Wide Area Networking (WAN) for global communications. According to
Infonetics Research, usage of WAN optimization technologies and appliances in the market is
steadily increasing. The report states that WAN application crossed $1 billion mark in 2008, a
29% increase compared to its previous year.
WAN connects distributed offices to the main organization, links data and applications to
employees, customers, and partners in different geographical locations, shares resources and
information, and enables to transmit critical business data across the network. Optimized
performance of these networks is very much necessary for business organizations to perform
business functions effectively over the Wide Area Network.
Benefits include
Wide Area Networking (WAN) enables quick and secure data transmissions over the network.
WAN optimization technologies provide maximum benefits to businesses in terms of network
acceleration, bandwidth optimization and increased user productivity. WAN optimization
improves the return on investment (ROI) and lowers the total cost of ownership of their IT and
network investments. Some of the benefits of WAN optimization devices are:
Enhances the usability experience for user
WAN optimization devices monitor and optimize the WAN intelligently. They prioritize,
manage and accelerate the flow of data in networks on a real-time basis. WAN devices using the
optimization technology provide optimal performance and manageability along with end-to-end
security to enhance user productivity. As the users get data and applications quickly, they work
efficiently increasing productivity.
Enables applications to perform across long distances
For many companies, WANs are now an essential part of their computing infrastructure as they
connect remote offices to central offices enabling them to perform big-office tasks with more
cost-effective workers. With the rapid globalization, branch offices, outsourcing, telecommuting,
and end-users can be located anywhere in the world. As businesses are being set up across a
wider geography, there is a need of better connectivity for uninterrupted business operations.
Critical business data such as resources, customer or client details, payroll, etc. is shared over the
Wide Area Network among these locations. WAN optimization solutions are utilized to prevent
problems such as network brown-outs, which can result in huge loss of valuable data and
credibility.