Enterprise Communications Infrastructure

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Meet the Experts

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Brandon Butler

Research Manager, Enterprise Networks

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Petr Jirovsky

Research Director, Enterprise Network Infrastructure

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Rohit Mehra

Group Vice President, Network and Telecommunications



IDC's Enterprise Communications Infrastructure provides reliable worldwide market analysis data and forecasts needed to make business decisions in this evolving market. The research program outlines how trends in enterprise networks are consumed, influence communications and mobility, and enable the secure and efficient use of cloud-based applications and services. It also analyzes user requirements, technology trends, vendor strategies, and distribution channel activity. It provides the industry's most comprehensive worldwide coverage of enterprise networking and communications infrastructure evolution, deployment, and future forecasting.


Markets and Subjects Analyzed


  • Ethernet switches: Speed (GbE, multi-GbE 10GbE, and 25/40/50/100GbE+)
  • Routers: Small office/home office (SOHO), access/branch, core, and multifunction WAN gateways
  • Wireless LANs: Access devices; access points (dependent and independent); controllers, switches, and appliances; and the impact of emerging trends such as mobility, location services, and IoT
  • SD-WAN infrastructure and the continued adoption of SD-Branch and SASE architectures
  • Cloud-managed networking and emerging flexible consumption/enterprise network-as-a-service (NaaS) models
  • DDI: Integrated management of DNS, DHCP, and IPAM
  • Analysis of how machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms enable advanced analytics, automation, and troubleshooting for enterprise networks
  • Network performance monitoring and management tools, including analytics and automation platforms
  • Branch of One: How enterprise-class secure connectivity is extended to remote and hybrid workers at the edge of the network
  • Wireless-first networking, including Wi-Fi 6/Wi-Fi 6E in the 6GHz band and public and private LTE/5G wireless networks
  • Market-leading enterprise networking equipment suppliers and promising start-ups

Core Research


  • Worldwide Wireless LAN Market Share, Forecast, and Analysis
  • Worldwide Ethernet Switch Market Share, Forecast, and Analysis
  • Worldwide SD-WAN Infrastructure Market Share, Forecast, and Analysis
  • Worldwide DDI Market Share, Forecast, and Analysis
  • Five Key Trends Driving the Enterprise Networking Market
  • IDC MarketScapes: SD-WAN Infrastructure and WLAN
  • Enterprise Network as a Service and Flexible Consumption Models for Enterprise Networking
  • The Branch of One and How Enterprises Are Supporting Remote and Hybrid Workforces
  • Worldwide Enterprise Network Infrastructure Forecast and Analysis

In addition to the insight provided in this service, IDC may conduct research on specific topics or emerging market segments via research offerings that require additional IDC funding and client investment.


Key Questions Answered


  1. Which networking equipment markets and sectors are growing the fastest? Which will have the greatest future growth, and why?
  2. What is the impact of technologies such as wired and wireless LANs, SD-WANs, voice/data convergence, video, Internet of Things, and network as a service on purchases?
  3. How will software-defined and cloud-managed network architectures impact customer and partner buying patterns?
  4. How will machine learning and AI technologies be integrated into enterprise network management products?
  5. How do merger, acquisition, and partnership actions affect the competitive landscape?
  6. How well are established and start-up suppliers positioned to increase market share?

Companies Covered