Technology Reseller - v22

technolog y reseller.co.uk 23 COVER STORY Software defined network Another unique selling point of the Virtual1 network is that it is the UK’s only software defined network (SDN). This enables partners to deliver services (and generate revenue) more quickly. Its automation and inherent scalability also reduce Virtual1’s engineering overheads. “We use SDN for a number of reasons,” explains O’Hagan. “Firstly, it allows us to automate the whole order journey, so that when a reseller places an order for a circuit, it is completely API-ed into Openreach without any administrative interventions – it literally takes seconds. This automation has a significant effect on lead times. On average, our install time is 25 working days, against the industry average of 35. “SDN also means that when our hardware is plugged in on site, it communicates with the network, downloads the configuration and, hey presto, it’s on. This level of scalability and efficiency means our customers get great service, which is really important for us. And once the services are live they have the ability to turn up their bandwidth – for example, from 30Mb to 100Mb – within 40 seconds.” O’Hagan adds that Virtual 1 also goes to great lengths to connect its infrastructure with a partner’s supply chain. “We have all the leading SIP providers on our network and a lot of the hosted provides a good opportunity for growth.” Growth opportunities Looking ahead, O’Hagan sees many other opportunities for Virtual1 and its customers, driven by changing customer requirements and ongoing developments in technology. “The key ones for us are definitely Ethernet connectivity, whether for SD-WAN or MPLS. The demand for Ethernet is growing rapidly, and will continue to do so. We believe that in 2021 Openreach will have aligned their 100Mb and 1GB bearer pricing, resulting in the market moving to consume only 1GB and 10GB services. We already offer 10GB in London and will be launching a nationwide service later this year. We think that once a business- grade Fibre To The Premise (FTTP) product is rolled out by Openreach and becomes more universal, it will replace all the copper-based broadband infrastructure in the UK.” Virtual1 is committed to a wholesale- only model and continued investment in its network, product and service offerings. These factors, together with enhancements to 1Portal and the company’s software defined network, will help partners to be more responsive and enhance their competitive edge. www.virtual1.com providers too. This means that if a partner is selling an internet circuit to their client today, tomorrow they have the option to easily turn on SIP, hosted voice or Public Cloud.” Cloud services In 2015 Virtual1 built a cloud platform in Docklands, Heathrow and Woking, extending its offering to include cloud services such as infrastructure as a service and backup, all available through 1Portal. This is a fast-growing area of the business that has given both voice and data partners additional revenue opportunities. “We used to have a lot of voice partners back in the early days, who we trained to help transition to the world of data. Now, we are training them to take the next step onto cloud platforms, and it is increasingly common for new WAN customers to select IaaS, back-up and the different cloud services we offer.” O’Hagan adds that the company’s cloud services have also attracted a different type of partner. “Since launching cloud-based services, more IT-focused resellers and managed service providers have been adding connectivity into their portfolio, because they can take the cloud services offering from us as well. That’s a market that we hadn’t directly addressed before but which Virtual1 is committed to a wholesale- only model and continued investment in its network, product and service offerings ...it takes just two or three minutes to get a full WAN quote, enabling partners to respond to customer requests with great speed and agility