2026 Showcase

2026 Enterprise Connectivity

Driven by hybrid work, AI workloads, multi-cloud adoption, and increasing cyber threats, enterprises are moving toward security and connectivity convergence. Our latest report on Next Gen Enterprise Connectivity captures these key drivers, supported by the results of our recent survey of North American mid-market enterprises. Covering the combined topics of SD-WAN, SASE, ZTNA, and Campus NaaS, the report, "New Faces of Enterprise Connectivity: Convergence and Flexibility" finds a market increasingly focused on simplicity, security, and service-centricity. Check out our thought leadership videos and download a copy of our report to learn more.

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Analysis by AvidThink

What the 2026 report finds

Across these interviews, enterprise connectivity is converging with security into unified, cloud-delivered platforms, with SASE, zero trust, and AIOps as the throughline. The recurring tension: vendors promise autonomous, single-stack simplicity, but legacy MPLS estates, multi-vendor sprawl, AI traffic, and trust gaps keep full automation out of reach.

  1. Networking and security are collapsing into one stack

    Nearly every vendor frames the shift as converging network, security, and application monitoring into unified platforms. Meter and Nile push vertically integrated single stacks, while Aryaka's OnePass and Netskope's consolidated SASE argue against bolting on more tools.

  2. Zero trust is a posture, not a product

    ACG's Ray Mota argues zero trust demands telemetry enforcement, micro-segmentation, and continuous AI-driven monitoring rather than a standalone SKU. Nile builds a zero trust fabric into the network foundation, and Kyndryl positions it as the endpoint of MPLS-to-SASE modernization.

  3. AIOps is now table stakes, but full autonomy remains elusive

    Dell'Oro's Siân Morgan notes AIOps has moved from cutting-edge to standard vendor offering, yet full network autonomy is blocked by technical and trust challenges. HPE, Nile, and Meter lean on cloud backends and AI engines to automate operations short of true self-driving networks.

  4. Value is migrating from hardware to recurring software and services

    Dell'Oro flags a shift from hardware to recurring software licenses; Shasta Cloud uses open, multi-vendor systems to move value from commoditized equipment to services. NaaS and unified-pricing models from Meter and Nile reinforce the consumption shift.

  5. AI traffic and hybrid work are the primary demand drivers

    GenAI applications introduce large data volumes and new breach risks (Netskope), strain connectivity and observability (Aryaka), and reshape enterprise apps. Hybrid workforces accessing SaaS, data center, and cloud from many locations expose the security and experience gaps these platforms aim to close.

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Highlights from industry thought leaders

Director’s Cut

Extended, in-depth versions of select interviews.

Director’s Cut
Arista Networks

NaaS, AIOps, and Zero Trust

  • Arista targets traditional network silos with unified multi-domain management
  • Cloud networking principles are being applied to enterprise infrastructure to enforce consistent security policies across domains
  • The strategy aims to make advanced automation accessible to broader, less specialized user bases
Abstract
Jeff Raymond, VP EOS Software and Services at Arista Networks, in this extended interview, discusses Arista's strategy for breaking down traditional network silos and delivering unified multi-domain management. He also explores how cloud networking principles are reshaping enterprise infrastructure, enabling consistent security policies across multiple domains, and making advanced automation accessible to broader user bases.
Director’s Cut
Aryaka

Unified SASE for Hybrid Workforce

  • Aryaka's OnePass architecture unifies disparate branch security and remote access under consistent policies and shared visibility
  • Its SASE as a Service 2.0 platform is positioned to handle AI traffic with reliable connectivity and better observability
  • The platform bundles comprehensive access control and data leakage prevention for hybrid workforces
Abstract
In this director's cut, Renuka Nadkarni, Chief Product Officer at Aryaka, explains how the company's OnePass architecture solves enterprise challenges with disparate branch security and remote access solutions with consistent security policies and provides unified visibility for hybrid workforces. She describes how Aryaka's SASE as a Service 2.0 platform addresses AI traffic challenges with reliable connectivity, better observability and comprehensive access control and data leakage prevention.
Director’s Cut
Meter

Meter's Unified Network Stack:

  • Meter runs a vertically integrated stack spanning firewalls, switches, access points, PDUs, and cellular equipment
  • A cloud backend automates network operations via real-time data processing
  • The integrated approach is designed to drive intelligent, automated operational decisions
Abstract
Sunil Varanasi, CTO and Co-Founder of Meter, in this extended interview, shares details on Meter's vertically integrated stack that includes firewalls, switches, access points, PDUs, and cellular equipment. He explains how their powerful cloud backend can automate network operations through real-time data processing for intelligent decisions.

Video interviews

ACG Research

Marketing vs Reality Check for Leaders

  • A real gap persists between marketing claims and actual capabilities in zero-touch AI and network automation
  • Zero trust should be treated as a comprehensive security posture, not a standalone product
  • Effective zero trust requires telemetry enforcement, micro-segmentation, and continuous AI-driven monitoring
Abstract
Ray Mota, CEO & Principal Analyst at ACG Research, examines the gap between marketing promises and actual capabilities in zero touch AI and automation for networking, arguing that zero trust should be treated as a comprehensive security posture requiring telemetry enforcement, micro-segmentation, and continuous AI-driven monitoring rather than a standalone product.
Arista Networks

Enterprise Networking, AI Ops & Zero Trust

  • Arista frames modern enterprise connectivity around three pillars: infrastructure, operational models, and security
  • The approach integrates network infrastructure, operations, and security technologies into a single comprehensive solution
Abstract
Jeff Raymond, VP, EOS Product Management and Services at Arista Networks, outlines three key pillars for modern enterprise connectivity. He explains how Arista integrates network infrastructure, operational models, and security technologies to deliver comprehensive enterprise connectivity solutions.
Aryaka

Unified SASE for Hybrid Workforce

  • Hybrid workforces access SaaS, data center, and cloud apps from many locations, straining consistent experience and security
  • Disparate point solutions create inconsistent user experiences and security gaps
  • Aryaka argues for a unified approach to close those gaps
Abstract
Renuka Nadkarni, Chief Product Officer at Aryaka, addresses the challenge of delivering consistent user experience and security for hybrid workforces accessing SaaS, data center, and cloud applications from multiple locations, noting that disparate solutions create inconsistent experiences and security gaps.
AvidThink

Enterprise Connectivity Report Overview

  • The report centers on the challenges enterprises face converging networking and security
  • It maps enterprise convergence journeys as a core insight
  • It offers near-term recommendations for both vendors and enterprises
Abstract
Nav Chander, Consulting Analyst at AvidThink, and lead author of the report shares his findings on enterprises challenges faced in converging networking and security. He discusses some of the key insights the report delivers, including enterprise convergence journeys and recommendations for both vendors and enterprises in the near term.
Dell'Oro Group

Enterprise Networks Shift from Hardware to Software Revenues

  • AIOps features in enterprise networking have shifted from cutting-edge to standard vendor offerings
  • Full network autonomy remains elusive due to technical and trust challenges
  • Value is moving from hardware to recurring software licenses
Abstract
Siân Morgan, Research Director at Dell'Oro Group, discusses how AI ops features in enterprise networking have evolved from cutting-edge capabilities to standard vendor offerings, while full network autonomy remains elusive due to technical and trust challenges, accompanied by a value shift from hardware to recurring software licenses.
Ericsson

Zero Trust, AI & Mobile Connectivity

  • Ericsson differentiates on wireless WAN for mobile connectivity in vehicles, IoT, and mission-critical deployments
  • Its focus is use cases where connectivity loss directly affects public safety
Abstract
Archana Khetan, SVP of Product Management and Technical Marketing at Ericsson, explains how the company distinguishes itself through wireless WAN solutions designed for mobile connectivity in vehicles, IoT, and mission-critical deployments where connectivity loss affects public safety.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Self-Driving Networks: Unified Security & Zero Downtime

  • HPE sees networking, security, and application monitoring converging into unified solutions
  • Continuous uptime is achieved through orchestrated upgrades and cloud-based seamless experiences
Abstract
Bob Friday from HPE discusses the convergence of networking, security, and application monitoring into unified solutions, emphasizing the critical importance of continuous uptime through orchestrated upgrades and cloud-based seamless experiences.
Kyndryl

Upgrading From Legacy MPLS to SASE & Zero Trust

  • Enterprises are modernizing decade-old legacy MPLS networks to SD-WAN, SASE, and zero trust
  • Key obstacles include complexity, business process integration, and poor network inventory records
Abstract
Paul Savill, Global Practice Leader for Network and Edge Computing at Kyndryl, discusses the challenges enterprises face modernizing decade-old legacy MPLS networks to SDWAN, SASE, and zero trust architectures, including complexity, business process integration, and poor inventory records.
Meter

Meter's Unified Network Stack

  • Convergence is accelerating as customers seek to escape complex multi-vendor deployments and pricing models
  • Meter offers a single integrated stack for network, security, performance, and management
  • Unified pricing is positioned to deliver best-of-breed performance without multi-vendor complexity
Abstract
Sunil Varanasi, CTO and Co-Founder of Meter, explains that network and security convergence is accelerating as customers seek to escape complex multi-vendor deployments, purchasing decisions, and pricing models. He explains how Meter's single integrated stack for network, security, performance, and management with unified pricing can delivers best-of-breed performance.
Mplify

Industry Collaboration for Enterprise Connectivity

  • Mplify's Enterprise Leadership Program brings enterprise leaders together with service providers and vendors early in development
  • The collaboration has driven industry-first innovations like automated circuit impairment communications and cyber security alerts
Abstract
Sunil Khandekar, Chief Enterprise Development Officer at Mplify, discusses how the company's Enterprise Leadership Program enables global enterprise leaders to collaborate directly with service providers and technology vendors from the outset of development, driving industry-first innovations like automated circuit impairment communications and cyber security alerts.
Netskope

The SASE Shift Explained

  • GenAI applications introduce significant data volumes and new breach risks for IT and security teams
  • Netskope advocates a consolidated SASE framework over adding more point tools
  • The goal is to preserve performance, reliability, and visibility amid anywhere access
Abstract
Rich Davis, Director of Solutions at Netskope, addresses how IT and security teams can maintain performance, reliability, and visibility amid GenAI-powered applications and anywhere access, advocating for a consolidated SASE framework rather than adding more tools as GenAI introduces significant data volumes and new breach risks.
Nile

Disrupting Enterprise Networking

  • Nile's seven-year effort centers on ruthless automation via AI engines, data analytics, and a zero trust fabric
  • The company reports 500 deployments to date
Abstract
Pankaj Patel, CEO and co-Founder of Nile, discusses the company's seven-year journey to disrupt networking through ruthless automation powered by AI engines, data analytics, and zero trust fabric architecture, chalking up 500 deployments to date.
Nile

Delivering NaaS with a Zero Trust Fabric

  • Nile applies data center and cloud principles to campus and branch networking gaps
  • Security is built into the network foundation via a zero trust fabric
  • It is delivered as an AI-powered secure network-as-a-service model
Abstract
Shashi Kiran, Chief Marketing Officer at Nile, explains how they address critical enterprise networking gaps in campus and branch environments by applying data center and cloud principles to create a zero trust fabric with security built into the network foundation, delivered through an AI-powered secure network as a service model.
Palo Alto Networks

Network & Security-Led SASE

  • Enterprises pursue SASE via either network-led or security-led transformation paths
  • Network-led approaches build on SD-WAN evolution and branch augmentation
  • Security-led approaches span SWG, SaaS app security, AI access security, DLP, and CASB
Abstract
Yogesh Ranade, Senior Director of Product Management at Palo Alto Networks, outlines how enterprises pursue SASE and network security transformation through either network-led approaches (SD-WAN evolution, branch augmentation) or security-led approaches (SWG, SaaS application security, AI access security, DLP, CASB).
Shasta Cloud

Open Systems and Full Stack Solutions

  • Shasta Cloud targets equipment commoditization, vendor consolidation, complexity, security threats, and IT skills shortages
  • It uses open networking systems to build multi-vendor interoperable ecosystems
  • The model shifts value from hardware to services
Abstract
Steve Martin, CEO of Shasta Cloud, explains how his company addresses industry challenges including equipment commoditization, vendor consolidation, increasing network complexity, security threats, and IT skills shortages by leveraging open networking systems to create multi-vendor interoperable ecosystems that shift value from hardware to services.
Early feedback on New Faces of Enterprise Connectivity Report: "very comprehensive," "covers cutting-edge trends in the enterprise networking market," "insightful." Grab your copy now!
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