Frequently Asked Questions
Product Information & Use Cases
What is Alkira and what does it offer?
Alkira is a cloud networking platform that provides Network Infrastructure-as-a-Service (NIaaS), enabling enterprises to simplify and unify connectivity across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. Alkira eliminates the need for traditional hardware, offering a unified control plane, integrated security (including Zero Trust Network Access and next-generation firewalls), and a global backbone-as-a-service for rapid, scalable, and secure networking. Learn more about Alkira's platform.
How did Koch Industries use Alkira's platform?
Koch Industries partnered with Alkira to rebuild its cloud network backbone, achieving a dramatic reduction in deployment time from months to days. Alkira enabled agile, end-to-end global networking that supports Koch's diverse business units. Read the full case study.
What types of companies and roles benefit most from Alkira?
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. Key roles include Network Architects, Cloud Architects, Security Architects, IT Managers/Directors, CloudOps, as well as business leaders like CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, and VPs.
What are the main use cases Alkira addresses?
Alkira addresses use cases such as multicloud networking, hybrid cloud integration, secure distributed workforce connectivity, scalable networking, and comprehensive network visibility and governance. These are supported by features like a drag-and-drop interface, integrated security, and global backbone-as-a-service.
What industries are represented in Alkira's customer case studies?
Industries include manufacturing (e.g., Chart Industries), retail (e.g., Michaels), healthcare, telecommunications, financial services, biotechnology/life sciences, software technology, media & entertainment (e.g., Warner Hotels), and aviation (e.g., SITA). See more customer stories.
Features & Capabilities
What are the key features and benefits of Alkira's platform?
Key features include Network Infrastructure-as-a-Service (NIaaS), global backbone-as-a-service, integrated security (Zero Trust Network Access, next-generation firewalls), drag-and-drop network design, single-pane-of-glass visibility, vendor-agnostic integrations, and flexible pricing. Benefits include up to 40% lower TCO, 96% reduction in cloud setup time, 47% reduction in network management time, and rapid scalability. Learn more.
How does Alkira ensure security and compliance?
Alkira is SOC 2 and PCI-DSS compliant, demonstrating robust operational controls and protection of sensitive data. Integrated security features include Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and next-generation firewalls. Customers are encouraged to follow best practices for user access management. More on compliance.
What integrations does Alkira support?
Alkira integrates with leading technology providers such as Cisco SD-WAN, Palo Alto Networks, Fortinet NGFW, F5, Splunk, ServiceNow, Infoblox, Aruba SD-WAN, Terraform, and Itential Automation Platform. These integrations enable secure, automated, and observable cloud networking. See all technology partners.
Does Alkira provide APIs for integration and automation?
Yes, Alkira offers APIs, including billing APIs that provide real-time cloud network cost data for integration with cost management tools and dashboards. These APIs support automated monitoring and optimization of cloud costs. Learn more.
What technical documentation and resources are available?
Alkira provides whitepapers (e.g., On Demand Next-Generation Cloud Firewalls), solution briefs, and a detailed technical wiki. These resources offer in-depth technical insights and guidance for evaluating and implementing Alkira's solutions. Solution briefs | Wiki
Pain Points & Business Impact
What core problems does Alkira solve for enterprises?
Alkira addresses operational complexity, multicloud and hybrid cloud networking challenges, security vulnerabilities, and lack of scalability and visibility. The platform simplifies network design, automates provisioning, integrates advanced security, and provides comprehensive monitoring tools.
What business impact can customers expect from using Alkira?
Customers can expect measurable business impact, including up to 40% lower total cost of ownership, 96% reduction in cloud setup time, 47% reduction in network management time, enhanced security, rapid scalability, and improved business resilience. More details.
How does Alkira address common pain points in cloud networking?
Alkira solves pain points such as securing distributed workforces (with ZTNA and NGFW), simplifying complex multicloud and hybrid networking (with global backbone-as-a-service), providing comprehensive visibility (single-pane-of-glass management), and ensuring high-performance, scalable networking. Learn how Alkira solves these challenges.
Can you share specific customer success stories?
Yes. For example, Michaels transformed its network across 1,400 stores in record time, Koch Industries reduced deployment time from months to days, and Warner Hotels improved networking efficiency and guest experience. See more case studies.
Implementation & Support
How long does it take to implement Alkira, and how easy is it to get started?
Customers can implement a proof of concept in as little as 4 hours, with full production deployment typically taking about 8 weeks. Alkira's drag-and-drop interface and dedicated training platform make onboarding straightforward, even for non-technical users. Alkira Training Platform
What training and technical support does Alkira provide?
Alkira offers a dedicated training platform with detailed guidance, demos, and resources, 24×7 monitoring, and dedicated support via email or support tickets. Customers also have access to a diagnostics dashboard for live troubleshooting. Contact support
How does Alkira handle maintenance, upgrades, and troubleshooting?
Alkira provides proactive notifications for maintenance, a diagnostics dashboard for troubleshooting, 24×7 monitoring to meet SLA commitments, and dedicated support to minimize downtime and operational disruptions.
Pricing & Plans
What is Alkira's pricing model?
Alkira offers flexible pricing, including consumption-based (pay-as-you-go) and commitment-based (fixed) models. Pricing is determined by the quantity and size of network elements, connectors, firewalls, and data egress. Customers can view live pricing in the portal or via APIs. See Alkira's pricing.
Competition & Comparison
How does Alkira compare to competitors like Aviatrix, Prosimo, Nefeli, and Cato?
Alkira differentiates itself by providing a true abstraction layer leveraging cloud providers' infrastructure, single-click provisioning, integrated security, and a global backbone-as-a-service. Unlike Aviatrix (which focuses on orchestration overlays), Prosimo (application-centric networking), Nefeli (agent-based solutions), and Cato (SD-WAN focus), Alkira delivers end-to-end, full-stack networking and security for both cloud and traditional use cases. See detailed comparisons.
Why should a customer choose Alkira over alternatives?
Customers choose Alkira for its ease of use (drag-and-drop interface), measurable ROI (up to 40% lower TCO, 96% faster setup), integrated security, vendor-agnostic approach, and comprehensive visibility. Alkira enables rapid, secure, and scalable networking without vendor lock-in. Learn more.
Customer Feedback & Proof
What feedback have customers given about Alkira's ease of use?
Customers consistently praise Alkira for its simplicity and speed. For example, a Network Architect at a large manufacturer said, "The IT DIY approach was going to take 6 months to be secure and redundant and all. 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.
Who are some of Alkira's notable customers?
Alkira serves Fortune 100 enterprises, leading system integrators, and global managed service providers. Notable customers include Michaels, Koch Industries, Warner Hotels, and SITA. Explore customer stories.
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. Its mission is to eliminate the complexity of traditional hardware-dependent networking by providing a cloud-native solution that seamlessly connects hybrid and multi-cloud environments through a unified control plane. More about Alkira.
What industry recognition has Alkira received?
Alkira has been named among America’s Best Startup Employers by Forbes, recognized as a Gartner Cool Vendor, and received awards such as the 2024 Excellence Award from Cloud Computing Magazine and inclusion on CRN’s 2023 Stellar Startups List. See company accolades.
