WAN optimization IS tactical. For any IT administrator who has no defined policies or goals for their IT operations, WAN optimization is a way, and afterthought, they can reign things in. If IT and business operations were well-defined then the need for WAN optimization is moot. Everything will be laid out with a specific purpose in mind.

I've spoken to dozens of C-level and IT people who are literally clueless regarding how their infrastructure is being used. They blindly swallowed and bought bandwidth or WAN products without any knowing why. The cart is definitely before the horse. Organizational leaders should be using policy to spell-out why they have technology and what it's going to do for them. Then they can spend time managing the technology and use therein to achieve the desired results. Buying WAN gear only treats a symptom plus perpetuates the madness of throwing technology at a problem that can be addressed with user information and basic management principles.

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