Versa Networks has met its match in the clouds by partnering with Amazon Web Services to offer SD-WAN to AWS partners.

Versa, which is a cloud-based SD-WAN vendor, is working with service provider and integration partners that have achieved AWS Networking Competency status and are AWS Partner Network (APN) members that are supporting AWS Direct Connect. The service is called Secure Software-Defined WAN.

Versa's APN operator alliances include Verizon, Comcast, CenturyLink and Zayo. Zayo is first out of the starter blocks with an SD-WAN service that is tailored for AWS.

"So from an SD-WAN perspective, connecting users and user experiences with Amazon is one of the most critical aspects because AWS is so popular," said Lee Doyle, principal analyst at Doyle Research, in an interview with FierceTelecom. "Enabling companies to move workloads back and forth is critically important. Versa is partnering with service providers to try to make that the best user experience as possible for their customers."

Scott Raynovich, founder and chief analyst, Futurium, said in an email to FierceTelecom this morning that adding integration and extensions to public cloud operator services is going to be an important feature of all SD-WAN services going forward, and that the partnership with AWS is an important move by Versa to broaden its alliances.