Technology is expected to be a significant factor in the retail industry’s efforts to offset waning customer demand in 2025, according to Forrester Research’s 2025 retail predictions. Retailers will continue leveraging tech solutions like cloud networking that increase consumer satisfaction through customization, omnichannel tools, and customer service. However, such technologies depend on a network infrastructure that is dependable, rapid, and secure.
Other new technologies equally essential to retail gains, such as BOPIS, location marketing, generative AI deployments, and IoT devices, also rely on reliable networks. A dependable network can prove challenging for many retailers, particularly small and mid-sized businesses. Those that do not have an on-site IT team may struggle to choose, deploy and oversee a strong network.
The issue with connectivity in today’s retail environment
Modern retailers face many technology challenges, including traditional infrastructure, security, compliance, and available networks. Compliance, for instance, is continuously changing to safeguard customer data privacy. Yet, keeping current on evolving legislation and regulations is time-consuming and labor-intensive. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) alone dictate hundreds of regulations.
Retail cloud networking must be capable of supporting emerging technologies that engage with internal teams and consumers, including next-generation AI chatbots, immediate analysis and location-based marketing provided by IoT device technology, and digital price tags that refresh automatically to save on the time it takes to make changes manually.
Read more: Innovating retail: Technology as a catalyst for business wins
How cloud networking delivers
Legacy infrastructure with multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) is slow and can be improved through the virtual networking offered by cloud infrastructure. Networking architecture migrated to the cloud with the advent of software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN). This networking solution relies on several transport services, including existing MPLS technology, to achieve a dependable network with greater availability.
SD-WAN and cloud-based security measures comprise secure access service edge (SASE) architecture. These technologies can now incorporate analytical and generative AI solutions for optimized performance, bolstered security, and assured uptimes.
Learn more: Cloud solutions in retail are revolutionizing the industry
SASE and SD-WAN offer retail advantages
Research firm Forrester found businesses that made the switch to SD-WAN from MPLS benefited from:
Using your own business data, Marvis can take autonomous steps to optimize and maintain your network, offer informed suggestions to improve performance, and streamline your IT team’s day-to-day work.
- A ten-fold bandwidth increase.
- Nearly 100% reduction of policy management.
- More than 100% return on investment.
Additionally, cloud networking also offers retailers:
- AI-powered threat hunting and detection that quickly respond to new threats.
- Policy settings that are dynamic and automated.
- Automated security for sales and supply operations.
- Environment protection covering multiple clouds.
- Zero-trust network architecture (ZTNA) 2.0 and next-generation tools for heightened security.
- Nearly 100% uptime to minimize business disruption.
- Autonomous Digital Experience Management (ADEM) to improve user experience.
- IT operations optimized through integrations and automation.
Cutting-edge networking solutions with Palo Alto Networks
OnX partners with Palo Alto Networks, named to Gartner’s 2024 Magic Quadrant for Single-Vendor SASE. This cybersecurity company provides a suite of solutions that include SASE and SD-WAN that can be integrated into existing cloud networking environments.
ADEM
ADEM is a next-gen technology that upgrades the user experience and supplements SD-WAN and SASE solutions. ADEM relies on advanced analysis and automation to diagnose and rectify issues with the network before they can affect users, who, in turn, benefit from a more streamlined experience.
In the retail industry, this translates to:
- Diminished downtime.
- Optimal website performance.
- Improved customer loyalty.
- Comprehensive network analysis.
- More impactful decision making.
Cortex XDR
Cortex Extended Detection and Response (XDR) also integrates with SD-WAN and SASE. The technology merges data from a variety of digital sources to safeguard enterprise endpoints from cybercrime.
Cortex XDR benefits organizations by:
- Detecting and managing threats through centralized controls.
- Analyze user behaviors and cyber-threat data both locally and externally, and
- Automating alert verifications to reduce potentially false positives.
- Leveraging automation to reinforce the security operations center’s (SOC) procedures.
- Employing machine learning and advanced analysis for threat hunting.
Read more: Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR info sheet
Prisma SD-WAN
This technology:
- Improves network performance through service level agreements (SLAs).
- Streamlines network operations.
- Reduces trouble tickets by up to 100%.
- Enables IT staff to concentrate on the organization’s core business.
Additionally, with the integration of ZTNA 2.0, breaches are reduced significantly, making for a more secure environment with Prisma SD-WAN. The move to a SASE framework results in a more straightforward and reliable network with greater security.
Prisma SASE
Integrated with SD-WAN, Prisma SASE is the future of cloud networking. Cloud networking and security are united to create a new, more efficient network infrastructure.
SASE technology enables companies to rise to the evolving demands of modern retail and:
- Securely access data and applications from anywhere.
- Scale readily to make the most of the latest network solutions.
- Leverage AI-enabled analysis, as well as automation.
Also read: Harnessing the power of contact centers and AI-powered data for retailers
The right partner for your managed SD-WAN, SASE solutions
OnX provides clients with swift and streamlined access to robust cloud networking solutions. We oversee each part of the process, from implementation to Prisma SASE and Prisma SD-WAN deployment. Our progressive methodology considerably diminishes vulnerability phases and the time it takes to resolve incidents—giving retail businesses a greater chance of efficiently reducing risks.
We support our clients 365x24x7, significantly reducing network downtime, expediting incident response, and limiting impact of security breaches.
The team at OnX are experts in cybersecurity, networking, and cloud solutions customized for the retail industry. We pride ourselves on building enduring relationships and have developed long-term partnerships with retail businesses worldwide. Past and present retail customers work with OnX because of our unparalleled understanding of their unique challenges and ability to establish a seamless onboarding experience and robust security plans designed to suit each client’s requirements.
Get in touch today to learn how OnX can support your operational success.
