Alkira and Itential
announced the integration of their two platforms, bringing automation,
simplicity, speed, and control to cloud networking for enterprises.
Alkira simplifies the provisioning, operation, and management of multi-cloud
networking, making it straightforward to connect different sites, users, or
cloud applications together. Alkira also provides hybrid cloud connectivity,
enabling users to connect their on-prem environments to Alkira's CXP with
traffic running on the Alkira cloud backbone. Itential enables infrastructure
teams to automate network and security configuration changes across hybrid
multi-cloud networks and quickly integrate with IT systems to orchestrate the
entire end-to-end change management process. Together the two platforms give
enterprises the ability to deploy, manage, and operate enterprise grade
networks for cloud and on-prem with full end-to-end automation, reducing time
to market for business-critical services.
According to the 2023 Flexera
State of the Cloud report, 87% of enterprises already use multiple
clouds and 72% use a mixture of public and private clouds. While the cloud
makes it possible to deploy new applications faster than ever, the networks
needed to connect them securely to customers and partner ecosystems are slow to
deploy, costly to manage, and difficult to adapt. Even after they are
successfully deployed, DIY cloud networks have complexity baked in, leading to
ongoing operational challenges and higher costs.
"Today's enterprise network is a complex combination of traditional and modern
network solutions, managed by multiple teams with different tools and varying
levels of automation capabilities", said Chris Wade, CTO, Itential.
"Enterprises need consistent automation capabilities across every network
domain and integration with many IT systems to provide self-service automation
to their customers and end-users. The combination of the Itential Automation
Platform with Alkira's Multi-Cloud Networking Platform gives enterprises the
power to create self-service automations that can operate on the entire
network, simplifying their operations and securely delivering applications and
services at an unprecedented pace."
The technical alliance between Alkira and Itential brings simplicity, agility,
and order to cloud networking, making it easier for enterprises to automate and
manage complex hybrid multi-cloud networks. By integrating these two platforms
together, network teams can build automations that utilize Alkira's unique
cloud features along with integrating with on-prem network and security
solutions, and IT systems like IPAM, ITSM, and sources of truth. The joint
integration addresses several use cases, including:
- Cloud onboarding
- Cloud to internet connectivity
- Cloud security
- On-prem to cloud connectivity
- Multi-cloud connectivity
- Cloud backbone (inter-region connectivity)
"Networks are constantly changing. By integrating these two platforms at the
API level, network teams can build automations that combine Alkira's unique
cloud features with Itential's ability to ensure compliance and consistency
across physical and cloud infrastructure," said Atif Khan, CTO and co-Founder,
Alkira. "We look forward to working closely with Itential and continuing to
deliver an unmatched experience to our customers that is predicated on speed,
simplicity, scalability, and security."
"Closely tracking both Alkira and Itential since their product launches,
we see this partnership as a significant leap towards more automated,
API-centric enterprise networking," said Roy Chua, founder and principal
at AvidThink. "Integrating Alkira's expertise in multi-cloud networking
with Itential's advanced network automation, this alliance is set to boost
operational speed and reduce error potential, greatly easing network management
in the multi-cloud era. We anticipate this step will enhance business agility
and accelerate delivery of critical services."