Fortinet SD-WAN Flex Licensing Reduce Costs with PJ Networks

If you are in need to maximize your Fortinet license and if you are looking to get “real” license optimization specifically for your SD-WAN deployments look no further. SD-WAN cost control can seem like a juggling act, especially as network requirements expand and budget restrictions continue to ever tighten. However, with the right form of flex licensing, you can scale your licenses as your needs change, and stop paying for what you’re not using. Let’s dissect and digest this news together, and discuss how PJ Networks can aid you in making the right moves with Fortinet licenses.

Licensing Models

The first step in gaining effective control over your SD-WAN costs is comprehending your Fortinet license. Fortinet provides a range of licensing options that scale to suit the needs of your environment.

Here’s what you should know:

• Device License – This is a license for each Fortinet device you use in your network. Best for organizations with a small number of sites.
• Per-User Licensing: Licenses are based on the no. of users utilizing the network. Perfect for high usage users.
• Site Based Licensing: Based on the number of remote or branch sites connected through SD-WAN.
• Subscription Licensing: Periodic license payments, a favourite option to help you grow and remain flexible in the process.

The secret to ensuring you optimize the license is to choose the model that works for you today, and also allows you to scale or downscale as your network requirements change. Fortinet has flexible licensing to accommodate that, and knowing the models may save you sticker shock.

Usage Metrics

Before you tweak your Fortinet license, you must have this data: visibility on how your SD-WAN is being consumed. This helps you establish what licenses you truly require and see where you may be able to optimize.

Here’s what to monitor:

• Thrust of bandwidth – Is your present licence successfully managing your data flow? If you have a surplus of bandwidth sitting idle, you may be over-licensed.
• Active Devices: View a list of the Fortinet devices that are currently connected/active.
• User Count: track dynamically the count of users connecting to the system.
• Site Activity: All sites are online or are some shut down?

Knowing how to track them can help you make smart decisions. If you see that some licenses are underutilized or that some sites are dormant, it’s time to consider tweaking.

Whether you’re using Fortinet’s management dashboard or contracting PJ Networks for comprehensive usage reports, this becomes an easier process to manage. They do the work so you don’t have to wonder.

Downgrade/Upgrade

The tuning of licenses up or down is the essence of flex licensing. The network evolves over time — new sites are brought online, users change, needs for bandwidth move around. You don’t want to get stuck with licenses for yesterday’s needs.

Here’s how to think about it:

• Upgrading: Select higher license tiers as needed when you add additional branches, users, or require more bandwidth. Fortinet enables seamless network upgrades with no network downtime.
• Downgrading: If some doors close or your visitors decline, scaling down licenses minimizes unnecessary spending. There’s no need to pay for premium prices for unused licenses.
• Timing: Assess licensing requirements not just once a year but quarterly or biannually – rather than just at time of annual renewal.
• Fluidity: With all these capabilities, Fortinet and PJ Networks keep these functions easy and affordable so companies can remain flexible.

Suggestions for effective upgrades/downgrades:

• Always file your current license.
• Synchronise license adjustments with your IT budget cycles.
• Custom recommendations directly from PJ Networks in their home setting.
• Validate your decisions using Fortinet’s report generating tools.

Updating licenses in a timely manner results in a more optimized license usage and better control of the overall SD-WAN cost.

Cost Analysis

Numbers are, after all, what it all comes down to at the end of the day. How much am I saving? Where is the waste? What is flex licensing really good for?

This is how you should think about the cost of your Fortinet SD-WAN licenses:

1. Determine Total Cost of Licenses:
   • Consider upfront fees.
   • Include renewals of the subscription.
   • Don’t disregard the costs of support and maintenance.
2. Compare With Network Habits:
   • Find out where licenses are over-provided.
   • Identify undersigned areas where people would risk losing performance.
3. Calculating Savings from Changes:
   • How were you able to save budget by downsizing licences when a site was closed?
   • What were the cost increases related to network expansion, and were those justifiable?
4. Forecast Future Costs:
   • Determine future network requirements by tracking past usage trends.
   • Plan your license changes in advance to prevent rush fees or fines.
5. Use the Expertise of PJ Networks:
   • PJ Networks assists you with detailed cost breakdowns.
   • They help find licensing packages or deals.
   • Steer clear of hidden fees and receive transparent pricing models.

Good cost analysis leads to smart decision making. Remember: Without it, you may overspend or face network performance problems.

Final Thoughts

Fortinet SD-WAN Flex Licensing Justifying the cost Control

Much like Fortinet’s PER (Policy Enforcement Rule), the key here is control. The secret to success is staying on top of it—keep an eye on your network utilization as you go, know your licensing model, and make adjustments as appropriate.

When you partner with professionals like PJ Networks, you gain the benefit of ongoing support and expert advice. They guide you through upgrades, downgrades, and confusing licensing options with zero hassle and no wasted budget.

When it comes to protecting and optimizing your network, you want your SD-WAN solution to be secure, yet budget friendly. As part of your SD-WAN 101, you need to know the ins and outs of flex licensing with Fortinet. I invite you to take a look at your Fortinet licensing and see where you can find those incremental, but adverse, changes.

Your future self (as well as your CFO) will be grateful.

And, of course, optimal Fortinet license management will always provide the best foundation for effective SD-WAN cost control. Let PJ Networks help you through.