Free IT Dollars for Innovation

Over this series of Federal Insights posts, we’ve put together a checklist to help agencies make the shift to the New IP. The New IP represents the networking industry’s recognition that legacy networks, which account for a large part of the federal government’s infrastructure, can limit innovation. The New IP is an emerging networking foundation for innovation based on open standards, software-defined, highly dynamic and user-centric infrastructure.

In our previous posts, we expanded the New IP’s software-defined, automated and open characteristics. The New IP also revolutionizes the way agencies approach IT spending. High CapEx and OpEx spending is replaced by utility-based costs and determined by the user rather than the vendor.

IT Spending: Focused on upfront costs and maintenance or innovation?

Currently, maintenance spending makes up more than 70 percent of the federal government’s IT budget. As the majority of agency IT budget is tied up in support of legacy infrastructure, agency dollars are largely unavailable for innovation. New IP-based network infrastructure offers a long-term lifespan, as opposed to the legacy network’s planned obsolescence, directing government spending to innovation instead of maintenance.

As-a-service models, like Brocade Network Subscription (BNS), allow agencies to cut unnecessary costs and reduce maintenance spending, making it possible to funnel funds to innovative technology. An important part of the New IP, as-a-service models eliminate the need to invest in hardware upfront and position agencies to align IT infrastructure capacity and network demand. As a result, agencies can better manage and balance CapEx and OpEx spend. The scalability and flexibility offered through as-a-service models enable agencies to increase or decrease the network capacity they pay for as needs change.

The shift to the New IP changes both where and how budget dollars are spent and the overall efficiency and capability of the network – opening up the door for agencies to move full steam ahead on innovative initiatives.

By shifting IT infrastructure to the New IP, agencies can achieve significant savings and increase network capabilities – paving the road for real, meaningful innovation.

Government’s legacy networks continue to become more expensive and cumbersome with age. If agencies want to make the most of emerging tech, now is the time for a shift to the New IP. How does your agency stack against the checklist?

If you missed our first two posts in the New IP series, learn about the impact of open standards and software-defined infrastructure in Part I and Part II.