Frequently Asked Questions
Product Information
What is Network Infrastructure-as-a-Service (NIaaS) as described by Alkira?
Alkira's Network Infrastructure-as-a-Service (NIaaS) provides all networking infrastructure as-a-service in virtual form. Organizations can access networking and security functionalities—including virtual routers, switches, firewalls, load balancers, and management/control plane components—without deploying or maintaining physical infrastructure nodes. This approach enables rapid, scalable, and secure networking for cloud and AI workloads. Read the whitepaper.
What products and services does Alkira offer?
Alkira offers solutions such as Network Infrastructure-as-a-Service (NIaaS), Global Backbone-as-a-Service, integrated security (including Zero Trust Network Access and next-generation firewalls), a drag-and-drop interface for network design, comprehensive visibility tools, and flexible pricing models. These services are designed to simplify enterprise networking and connectivity challenges. Learn more.
What is the primary purpose of Alkira's product?
Alkira's product is designed to simplify cloud networking for enterprises by offering NIaaS, eliminating the need for hardware-dependent networking and providing a unified control plane for seamless connectivity across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. Key benefits include reduced complexity, enhanced security, improved scalability, and comprehensive visibility. More details.
What are the key capabilities and benefits of Alkira's product?
Alkira's platform delivers operational efficiency (96% reduction in cloud setup time, 47% reduction in network management time), cost savings (up to 40% lower TCO), integrated security, ease of use, comprehensive visibility, and scalability. These capabilities support digital transformation and business resilience. See platform details.
What technical documentation is available for Alkira's solutions?
Alkira provides whitepapers (e.g., On Demand Next-Generation Cloud Firewalls), solution briefs, and a dedicated wiki with detailed technical information. Access these resources at solution briefs and wiki page.
Features & Capabilities
What features does Alkira offer to simplify cloud networking?
Alkira provides a true abstraction layer leveraging cloud providers' infrastructure, integrated security (ZTNA, next-generation firewalls), global backbone-as-a-service, drag-and-drop network design, vendor-agnostic stack choices, and single-pane-of-glass visibility. These features address multicloud complexity, security, scalability, and governance challenges. Learn more.
Does Alkira support integrations with other technology providers?
Yes, Alkira integrates with Cisco SD-WAN, Palo Alto Networks, Fortinet NGFW, F5, Splunk, ServiceNow, Infoblox, Aruba SD-WAN, Terraform, and Itential Automation Platform. These integrations enable secure, scalable, and automated cloud networking. See all partners.
Does Alkira provide APIs for integration and cost management?
Yes, Alkira offers billing APIs that deliver real-time cloud network cost data, supporting integration with cost management tools and dashboards. These APIs enable automated synthesis of billing data for monitoring and optimization. Learn more.
What security and compliance features does Alkira provide?
Alkira is SOC 2 and PCI-DSS compliant, ensuring robust operational controls and protection of cardholder data. Integrated security features include Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and next-generation firewalls. Customers are encouraged to manage user access and follow best practices. See compliance details.
Pricing & Plans
What is Alkira's pricing model?
Alkira offers consumption-based (pay-as-you-go) and commitment-based (fixed) pricing. Costs are determined by the quantity and size of network elements, connectors, firewalls, and data egress. Fixed hourly rates are available for specific connector types and bandwidth. Pricing details are accessible via the portal or APIs. See pricing.
Use Cases & Benefits
Who can benefit from Alkira's solutions?
Alkira is designed for mid-to-large enterprises across industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, telecommunications, financial services, biotechnology, software technology, retail, media & entertainment, and aviation. Target roles include Network Architect, Cloud Architect, Security Architect, IT Manager/Director, CloudOps, VP, CTO, CIO, and CISO.
What business impact can customers expect from using Alkira?
Customers can expect operational efficiency (96% faster cloud setup, 47% less network management time), up to 40% lower TCO, enhanced security, rapid scalability, business resilience, and support for digital transformation. See more.
What are some real-world case studies of Alkira customers?
Examples include Michaels transforming its network across 1,400 stores (case study), Koch Industries simplifying multicloud networking (video), Warner Hotels enhancing B2B connectivity (video), Chart Industries expanding globally (video), and SITA integrating on-premises and cloud environments (video). More stories at our customers page.
What industries are represented in Alkira's case studies?
Industries include manufacturing, retail, healthcare, telecommunications, financial services, biotechnology/life sciences, software technology, media & entertainment, and aviation.
How does Alkira address common customer pain points?
Alkira solves issues such as securing distributed workforces (integrated ZTNA and firewalls), simplifying multicloud/hybrid networking (global backbone-as-a-service), providing comprehensive visibility (single-pane-of-glass tools), and delivering high-performance networking (automatic infrastructure scaling). See case studies for examples: Michaels, Financial Services, Software & Services, Healthcare.
How easy is it to get started with Alkira?
Customers can implement a proof of concept in as little as 4 hours, with full production deployment in about 8 weeks. Alkira provides a drag-and-drop interface, a dedicated training platform (Alkira Training Platform), 24×7 monitoring, and dedicated support.
What feedback have customers given about Alkira's ease of use?
Customers praise Alkira for rapid deployment and simplicity. For example, a Network Architect at a large manufacturer said, "Alkira did it for us in 3 days, and at very low cost." Matt Hoag, CTO at Koch Industries, noted, "We had gone from a mass of complexity and months of work to a dashboard that allowed us simply to draw our network and deploy it in a few hours." See more testimonials.
Competition & Comparison
How does Alkira compare to Aviatrix?
Aviatrix focuses on orchestration overlays and requires deep cloud expertise. Alkira provides a true abstraction layer leveraging cloud providers' infrastructure, offers single-click provisioning, and delivers end-to-end solutions for both cloud and traditional network use cases.
How does Alkira compare to Prosimo?
Prosimo is application-centric and limited in addressing traditional network use cases. Alkira provides full-stack networking and security, addresses both cloud and traditional use cases, and offers scalable networks.
How does Alkira compare to Nefeli?
Nefeli uses agent-based solutions and requires manual configurations. Alkira eliminates manual configurations with automated routing, provides enterprise-grade connectivity, and delivers a unified NIaaS platform.
How does Alkira compare to Cato?
Cato focuses on SD-WAN and is limited in multi-cloud/hybrid environments. Alkira provides a global backbone-as-a-service for multi-cloud/hybrid environments, integrated security (ZTNA), and seamless connectivity for distributed workforces and applications.
Why should a customer choose Alkira over alternatives?
Alkira offers a true abstraction layer, integrated security, ease of use, rapid global connectivity, measurable ROI, vendor-agnostic stack choices, and comprehensive visibility. These features simplify multicloud networking and enhance operational efficiency. Learn more.
Technical Requirements
What are Alkira's implementation timelines?
Proof of concept can be implemented in as little as 4 hours, with full production deployment typically completed in about 8 weeks.
What resources are needed to get started with Alkira?
Alkira's drag-and-drop interface and training platform make onboarding straightforward, without requiring extensive technical expertise or additional staffing. 24×7 monitoring and dedicated support are provided throughout the process.
Support & Implementation
What customer service and support does Alkira provide?
Alkira offers proactive notifications for maintenance, a diagnostics dashboard for troubleshooting, 24×7 monitoring, and dedicated support via support@alkira.com or support tickets.
What training and technical support is available for Alkira customers?
Alkira provides a dedicated training platform with guidance, demos, and resources (Alkira Training Platform), 24×7 monitoring, and dedicated support for onboarding and ongoing operations.
How does Alkira handle maintenance, upgrades, and troubleshooting?
Alkira ensures seamless maintenance and upgrades with proactive notifications, a live diagnostics dashboard, 24×7 monitoring, and dedicated support to minimize downtime and operational disruptions.
Company Information & Vision
What is Alkira's vision and mission?
Alkira's vision is to transform enterprise connectivity by simplifying cloud networking for the AI era. The mission is to eliminate traditional networking complexity with a cloud-native solution that connects hybrid and multi-cloud environments through a unified control plane. Learn more.
What key information should customers know about Alkira?
Alkira was founded by the creators of Viptela (acquired by Cisco in 2017), is recognized as a Gartner Cool Vendor, and has won awards such as the 2024 Excellence Award from Cloud Computing Magazine. Alkira is listed on CRN’s 2023 Stellar Startups List and Forbes’ Best Startup Employers. See company details.
Who are some of Alkira's customers?
Alkira serves Fortune 100 enterprises, system integrators, and managed service providers. Notable customers include Michaels, Koch Industries, Warner Hotels, and SITA. See more.