Last week, Extreme Networks Platform ONE (https://www.extremenetworks.com/platform-one), an integrated AI-Powered automation that simplifies Enterprise Networking and Security went GA. The platform offers 3 main benefits:
· AI-Driven Insight and Automation
· End-to-End Network Visibility
· Unified Operations Dashboard
Maybe you are saying to yourself, well that’s great, but lots of vendors are baking AI into their tool, so what makes this one different?
It’s different because, according to, Nabil Bukhari, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Extreme Networks, “Extreme is the first vendor to fully integrate AI across the entire network, with complete visibility, control, and governance. With AI that’s built in, not bolted on, we’re redefining what is possible and turning hours of work into minutes, helping customers simplify operations, boost performance, and get more value, faster.”
There are a couple key things in Nabil’s quote that really resonate for me. Coming up on the network side of the house, I truly appreciate the foundational value of connectivity in a business environment. A tool that reduces the time it takes to solve complex network issues with the use of AI is a win for the tech side of the house and the business side of the house.
Network is Foundational. Fixing It Hasn’t Been Easy
Network is something that has been around for decades. It’s a foundational element of our day to day working environment. We’ve all just come to expect it being in place in our work environment like the air conditioning in the Summer or heat in the Winter. It’s foundational. But just like the air conditioning going out on a 100 degree day in your office space, you notice when its gone. You can’t get your emails or upload reports or use your office phone or do the hundreds of daily tasks that the network helps you accomplish. When the network is down, its inconvenient but it also costs your organization a boat load of money in lost productivity and lost revenue. Think about it this way: network downtime = money loss.
The Cost of Network Downtime is Real
Let’s quantify that statement: network downtime = money loss for a moment.
Network downtime is often unavoidable, systematic, and unpredictable.
Gartner estimates that network downtime can cost on average up to $9,000 per minute. Depending on the size of the enterprise client, network downtime could cost as much as $1 million per hour, according to an IDC survey. The mean time to repair (MTTR) for an average network issue is generally considered to be under five hours, Did you know that large enterprises can spend up to $60 million or more on downtime?
MTTR, in the context of network issues, measures the average time it takes to diagnose, repair, and restore a failed network component or system to full functionality. It starts from the moment a problem is detected and ends when the system is fully operational again, according to some experts.
What if we could use AI to shorten that cycle and reduce that downtime window? That reduction could literally mean savings of millions of dollars per incident to the business.
Forget about the tech for a minute, let’s take a look at the enhanced efficiency and productivity metrics that Extreme Network’s Platform ONE brings to the table:
· Reduced Manual Effort:
Platform ONE’s AI-driven automation and simplified workflows can reduce manual tasks by up to 90%, freeing up IT staff for strategic initiatives.
- Faster Issue Resolution:
Real-time visibility and AI-powered insights allow for quicker identification and resolution of network issues, potentially cutting resolution times by up to 98%.
- Improved Collaboration:
The unified platform fosters better collaboration between different teams (networking, security, business) through AI-assisted workflows and a single interface.
- Faster Time to Value:
The platform’s streamlined processes and automation can accelerate tasks from hours to minutes, leading to faster deployment and faster business outcomes.
From a cost optimization standpoint, Extreme Network’s Platform One offers:
- Consumption-Based Billing:
The platform offers a consumption-based billing model, allowing businesses to pay only for what they use and avoid hefty upfront costs.
- Optimized Resource Allocation:
Extreme’s unique poolable licensing model enables flexible allocation of licenses across devices and locations, optimizing resource utilization and reducing costs.
- Reduced Operational Expenses:
By automating tasks and streamlining workflows, Platform ONE can help reduce operational expenses associated with network management.
In essence, Extreme Networks Platform ONE delivers business value by transforming network management from a complex, time-consuming process into a streamlined, efficient, and secure operation. It empowers businesses to optimize their network infrastructure, improve productivity, and ultimately drive business growth.