July 29, 2022: blueAPACHE has added Fortinet Security Fabric-powered software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN), next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) and secure access service edge solutions (SASE) to its emPOWER Connectivity offering. This completes the final phase of the company’s $6 million, multi-phase refresh of the core emPOWER network infrastructure.
emPOWER Connectivity is a managed fabric that provides secure connectivity from any location, on demand, including across global data centres, private and public clouds, physical premises and remote access.
The upgrade provides the global managed services company with an enhanced, fit-for-purpose, and feature-rich managed connectivity offering for mid- to large-sized enterprises, supporting blueAPACHE’s ability to service customers.
“The market is changing and, along with it, the dynamic of how IT services and applications are consumed. This is being driven by changing laws and regulations, increasing IT security threats and the shift towards hybrid work environments made possible by the accelerated adoption of software-as-a-service (SaaS) and advanced tools that let employees work from anywhere, anytime,” said Michael Zuppa, general manager – technology, blueAPACHE.
“blueAPACHE wanted to expand its managed fabric that provides secure connectivity with SD-WAN, NGFW and SASE to provide consistent enforcement and time to value with automation efficiency. To do this, we needed a fabric approach that would extend across all layers and levels of the network regardless of location or topology of standard or traditional-based networks. Fortinet, with its security fabric approach, was the ideal technology partner to help blueAPACHE achieve these objectives. With these enhanced capabilities, emPOWER Connectivity continues to address the changing landscape delivering a more consistent user experience as well as greater transparency and visibility through a real-time self-service portal and reliable security enforcement,” he said.