Multi-Site ITES Connectivity: What Cisco SD-WAN Solves That MPLS Can’t

Multi-Site ITES Connectivity: What Cisco SD-WAN Solves That MPLS Can’t 

The Cost of Sticking with MPLS 

Many ITES companies in India still run on MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching). It feels safe. It worked during the last audit. It keeps things predictable. 

But predictable is no longer good enough. 

ITES workloads are not static. Support centres operate out of Kochi, Jaipur, and Noida. Engineers log in from cafes and homes. Clients demand integration with SaaS, real-time dashboards, and AI tools. 

MPLS was not built for this. It assumes fixed branches, centralised apps, and symmetrical traffic. As soon as you move away from that model, cost and complexity spike. 

Where MPLS Breaks 

1. Performance Drag: MPLS routes traffic to a central hub before going to the internet. Every SaaS call, every video stream, every AI API goes the long way around. 
2. Cost Escalation: You pay per site, per Mbps, per minute of overage. Scaling means higher bills. 
3. No Application Awareness: MPLS does not know if a packet carries critical customer voice or someone’s Spotify stream. It treats all traffic the same. 
4. Slow Change Management: Adding a new site or shifting bandwidth needs vendor coordination, lead times, and lots of paperwork. 
5. Visibility Black Holes: Traditional WAN tools do not give insight into app-level performance or user-level issues. 

Cisco SD-WAN: Built for the Way ITES Works Now 

Cisco SD-WAN fixes each of these issues. It treats the network as software, not cabling. You set business rules, and the network obeys. 

• App-Aware Routing: You can prioritise voice over VPN, or route video directly to the cloud. Each flow gets the path it deserves. 
• Zero-Touch Provisioning: New branches come online in hours, not weeks. 
• SaaS Optimisation: Direct peering with providers like Microsoft and Google reduces latency and jitter. 
• Centralised Control: Every policy, route, and user is visible and manageable from a single dashboard. 
• Integrated Security: DNS-layer protection, firewall, IPS, and URL filtering are baked in. 

Real Impact in Hyderabad 

A leading BPO in Hyderabad had over 14 sites across India connected via MPLS. As workloads moved to the cloud, app performance suffered. VPNs choked. Helpdesk tickets piled up. 

Proactive implemented Cisco SD-WAN across all locations. Sites now connect directly to SaaS. Bandwidth adapts in real time. Users see a 40 per cent faster application response. Admins get alerts before users complain. 

They cut MPLS costs by 48 per cent. And they didn’t lose control. They gained it. 

What the Data Says 

Gartner’s WAN Infrastructure Magic Quadrant 2024 places Cisco in the Leader category for enterprise SD-WAN. IDC’s 2023 India Connectivity Survey shows 64 per cent of ITES firms plan to phase out MPLS within two years. 

Proactive Doesn’t Just Deploy 

SD-WAN’s power lies in policy. Most vendors leave that part to you. 

We don’t. 

Proactive Data Systems maps application needs to network behaviour. We set up intent-based policies, simulate failure, benchmark before and after, and ensure your team can operate the new system without vendor lock-in. 

We’ve done this in Pune for customer support platforms, in Chennai for KPOs, and in Mumbai for fintech BPOs. 

Stop Managing Bottlenecks 

MPLS served its time. That time is over. 

Cisco SD-WAN is not just faster or cheaper. It is more aligned to how ITES firms operate, hire, grow, and support their clients. Proactive makes sure it is not just installed. It is engineered to support how you deliver value.