| | MAY 20198CIOReviewIN MYOPINIONGlobal IT spending will reach $3.7 trillion in 2018, up 4.5 percent from 2017, as the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, artificial intelligence, and blockchain drive growth, according to Gartner. At the center of new innovations impacting the enterprise are wireless networks, which serve as the connected workforce's heartbeat. As any CIO knows, wireless technologies are rapidly changing, making it difficult to keep up with what new solutions to budget for; what new network features to adopt; and what technology will still be relevant before the next wave of new WLAN product rollouts make a splash. Adding to these challenges is the growing need for IT professionals to ensure seamless cellular coverage throughout the enterprise--an ask that is on the rise as businesses increasingly adopt BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policies.To map out a winning network strategy, I've zeroed in on top trends to examine that will help you keep pace with the evolving wireless industry.· NFV and SDN Reign Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) and Software-Defined Networking (SDN) are moving from the lab to real-world deployments. In fact, forecasts show that NFV and SDN markets will grow significantly by 2021, hitting $ 158 billion.NFV should be a go-to for wireless networks, as the technology eliminates the need for expensive hardware and physical infrastructure, while reducing capital expenditures (CapEx) and operating expenses (OpEx). Using cloud-based technology, NFV can upgrade an enterprise's network equipment--servers, switches and routers--to handle new standards, all while eliminating complete system overhauls. Improved scalability, increased data visibility, distributed data centers and information integrity are all among the benefits of NFV.Of note, in 2018 we'll see improved interoperability for NFV, as the New IP Agency (NIA) recently launched a new NFV Certification Program that ensures multivendor flexibility.Complementary to NFV, SDN should also be a focus for IT Next-Gen Wireless Trends Every CIO Needs to Know By Dr. Derek Peterson, CTO, Boingo WirelessDr. Derek Peterson
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