Guest blog by Ram , SP Infrastructure Marketing Manager

Service providers everywhere are trying to simplify their networks -moving services to the cloud that are easier to roll out, can be provisioned by the customer, and enable new business models.

Cisco's virtual managed service (vMS) solution uses a self-service online portal to give end users a simple way to select, subscribe to and activate highly secure and scalable network services -even if the underlying network is multivendor. The VMS platform service function packages includescloud VPNs for branch, site-to-site and remote access encrypted VPNs, as well as firewall and web security, all offered as a cloud-managed IT solution on a subscription basis.

End users have access to a management dashboard on which they can track thestatus and performance of services and upgrade their service package, such as increasing the number of users or the bandwidth, with a click of a mouse. Provisioning is automatic and done in real timefromthe carrier data center. DT has launched their Cloud VPN service to their business customers leveraging the Cisco VMS solution, and Telstra is working with Cisco to deploy ready-to-consume customizable services from their cloud platform using a self-service portal.

Meanwhile, the European Advanced Networking Test Center (EANTC) has independently validated the solution. They put our cloud, software-defined networking (SDN) and virtualization (NFV) platforms to the test, a summary of the results of this groundbreaking analysis are available below.

If you'd like to learn more on how Cisco is enabling the transition to virtualized services, join us for breakfast atNFV Everywhere Americason Wednesday, September 16^thin Dallas at 0730 CDT. We'll show you what it takes to automate, optimize, and transform your service delivery. Registration details can be found here.

We look forward to seeing you! Have questions or comments? Tweet  @CiscoSP360 to learn more!