Frequently Asked Questions
Product Information
What is Alkira and what solutions does it offer?
Alkira is a cloud networking company that provides Network Infrastructure-as-a-Service (NIaaS), enabling enterprises to simplify and modernize their network infrastructure. Alkira's platform eliminates the need for traditional hardware, offering on-demand, scalable, and secure networking across hybrid and multicloud environments. Key solutions include Global Backbone-as-a-Service, integrated security (such as Zero Trust Network Access and next-generation firewalls), and a drag-and-drop interface for easy network design and deployment. Learn more about Alkira's platform.
What is the primary purpose of Alkira's product?
The primary purpose of Alkira's product is to simplify cloud networking for enterprises by providing a unified control plane for seamless connectivity across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. This approach reduces operational complexity, enhances security, improves scalability, and provides comprehensive visibility and control. More about Alkira's mission.
What are the key capabilities and benefits of Alkira's product?
Alkira's product offers:
- Network Infrastructure-as-a-Service (NIaaS) for hybrid and multicloud environments
- Global Backbone-as-a-Service for scalable, reliable, low-latency connectivity
- Integrated security features like Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and next-generation firewalls
- Drag-and-drop interface for ease of use
- Single-pane-of-glass visibility and management
- Up to 40% lower TCO, 96% reduction in cloud setup time, and 47% reduction in network management time
These capabilities help enterprises achieve operational efficiency, cost savings, and business resilience. See Alkira's platform details.
What integrations does Alkira support?
Alkira integrates with leading technology providers and platforms, including:
These integrations enable secure, automated, and observable cloud networking. See all technology partners.
Does Alkira provide APIs?
Yes, Alkira offers APIs, including billing APIs that provide real-time cloud network cost data. These APIs can be integrated with cost management tools and dashboards for automated monitoring and optimization. Learn more about Alkira's APIs.
What technical documentation is available for Alkira's solutions?
Alkira provides a range of technical resources, including:
These resources offer in-depth technical insights and guidance for evaluating and deploying Alkira's solutions.
Features & Capabilities
What features make Alkira stand out in the market?
Alkira stands out with:
- True abstraction layer leveraging cloud providers' infrastructure for end-to-end solutions
- Integrated security (ZTNA, next-generation firewalls)
- Global Backbone-as-a-Service for rapid, scalable connectivity
- Vendor-agnostic approach—no lock-in to specific security or network stacks
- Single-pane-of-glass visibility and management
- Drag-and-drop interface for easy network design
- Measurable ROI: 96% reduction in cloud setup time, 47% reduction in network management time, up to 40% lower TCO
These features simplify multicloud networking and enhance operational efficiency. More details.
How does Alkira address security and compliance?
Alkira is SOC 2 and PCI-DSS compliant, ensuring robust operational controls and protection of sensitive data. Integrated security features include Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and next-generation firewalls for secure connectivity. Customers are encouraged to follow best practices for user access and information security. See Alkira's compliance details.
What performance benefits does Alkira deliver?
Alkira delivers:
- 96% reduction in cloud setup time
- 47% reduction in network management time
- Up to 40% lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
- Automatic scalability to match bandwidth demand
- Integrated security for distributed workforces and applications
- Business resilience and agility for dynamic environments
These metrics are based on real customer deployments. See more performance details.
What customer feedback has Alkira received regarding ease of use?
Customers consistently praise Alkira's ease of use. For example:
- "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." – Network Architect, Large Manufacturer
- "We met with Alkira, and after about an hour of us explaining what we needed, we created a POC – and stood that up in a morning. Design-to-POC-setup in about 4 hours." – Sr. Director, Network Architect, Financial Company
- "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." – Matt Hoag, CTO at Koch Industries
These testimonials highlight Alkira's ability to simplify complex networking tasks and accelerate deployment. See more customer stories.
Pain Points & Solutions
What problems does Alkira solve for enterprises?
Alkira addresses:
- Securing distributed workforce and applications with integrated ZTNA and firewalls
- Complexity in multicloud and hybrid cloud networking by eliminating manual configurations
- Lack of comprehensive visibility and governance with single-pane-of-glass management
- High-performance networking needs with scalable, reliable, low-latency connectivity
These solutions help enterprises modernize their networks and support digital transformation. Learn more.
How does Alkira solve the pain points differently from competitors?
Alkira integrates advanced security directly into its platform, offers a true abstraction layer for multicloud networking, provides unified visibility, and delivers rapid deployment (months to minutes). Unlike competitors, Alkira is vendor-agnostic and supports both cloud and traditional network use cases without requiring deep cloud expertise. See differentiators.
Can you share case studies that show how Alkira solves these pain points?
Yes, Alkira has several case studies:
See more at Alkira's customer stories.
Use Cases & Industries
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 Architects, Cloud Architects, Security Architects, IT Managers/Directors, CloudOps, CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, and VPs. See customer examples.
What industries are represented in Alkira's case studies?
Industries include manufacturing (Chart Industries), retail (Michaels), healthcare, telecommunications, financial services, biotechnology/life sciences, software technology, media & entertainment (Warner Hotels), and aviation (SITA). Explore case studies.
Can you share specific customer success stories?
Yes, notable success stories include:
More stories at Alkira's customers page.
Pricing & Plans
What is Alkira's pricing model?
Alkira offers flexible pricing:
- Consumption-based (pay-as-you-go) pricing based on usage of provisioned elements (sites, cloud instances, network services, network traffic)
- Commitment-based (fixed) pricing for predictable budgeting
Pricing is 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 available live from the portal or via APIs. See Alkira's pricing page.
Competition & Comparison
How does Alkira compare to competitors like Aviatrix, Prosimo, Nefeli, and Cato?
Alkira differentiates itself as follows:
- Aviatrix: Focuses on orchestration overlays and requires deep cloud expertise. Alkira provides a true abstraction layer, single-click provisioning, and end-to-end solutions for both cloud and traditional networks.
- Prosimo: Application-centric networking with limited traditional network use case support. Alkira offers full-stack networking and security for both cloud and traditional environments.
- Nefeli: Agent-based solutions requiring manual configurations. Alkira automates routing and provides a unified NIaaS platform.
- Cato: SD-WAN focus with limited multi-cloud support. Alkira delivers global backbone-as-a-service and integrated security for multi-cloud and hybrid environments.
All comparisons are based on publicly available information and Alkira's documented differentiators. See more.
Why should a customer choose Alkira over alternatives?
Customers choose Alkira for:
- True abstraction layer and single-click provisioning
- Integrated security (ZTNA, next-generation firewalls)
- Vendor-agnostic approach—no lock-in
- Rapid deployment (months to minutes)
- Comprehensive visibility and management
- Measurable ROI and operational efficiency
These advantages are validated by customer testimonials and industry recognition. Learn more.
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. Explore Alkira's training platform.
What training and technical support does Alkira provide?
Alkira offers:
- Dedicated training platform with guidance, demos, and resources (see here)
- 24×7 monitoring for SLA commitments
- Diagnostics Dashboard for live troubleshooting
- Dedicated support via support@alkira.com or support tickets
These resources ensure smooth adoption and ongoing success.
What support is available for maintenance, upgrades, and troubleshooting?
Alkira provides proactive notifications for maintenance, a Diagnostics Dashboard for troubleshooting, 24×7 monitoring, and dedicated support channels. This ensures minimal downtime and efficient issue resolution.
Security & Compliance
What security and compliance certifications does Alkira have?
Alkira is SOC 2 and PCI-DSS compliant, demonstrating a commitment to securing customer data and maintaining robust operational controls. Integrated security features include ZTNA and next-generation firewalls. See compliance details.
Company & 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 networking with a cloud-native solution that connects hybrid and multi-cloud environments through a unified control plane. Learn more about Alkira.
What is Alkira's company background and industry recognition?
Alkira was founded by the creators of Viptela (acquired by Cisco in 2017) and has been recognized as a Gartner Cool Vendor, a Forbes Best Startup Employer, and a recipient of the 2024 Excellence Award from Cloud Computing Magazine. Alkira is also listed on CRN’s 2023 Stellar Startups List. See company details.
Who are some of Alkira's customers?
Alkira serves Fortune 100 enterprises, system integrators, and global managed service providers. Notable customers include Michaels, Koch Industries, Warner Hotels, and SITA. See more customer stories.
