PUBLISHER: Stratistics Market Research Consulting | PRODUCT CODE: 1587709
PUBLISHER: Stratistics Market Research Consulting | PRODUCT CODE: 1587709
According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Network Automation Market is accounted for $5.2 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $18.2 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 22.9% during the forecast period. The process of automating network device configuration, management, and operation through software to minimize the need for human intervention is known as network automation. Frequently using scripts, APIs, or sophisticated tools like machine learning, it entails tasks like provisioning, monitoring, troubleshooting, and scaling. Network automation improves productivity, reduces human error, boosts agility, and supports increasingly complex network environments such as SDN (Software-Defined Networking) and NFV (Network Functions Virtualization) by automating repetitive tasks.
According to Gardner By 2026, 30% of enterprises will automate more than half of their network activities, up from less than 10% in mid-2023.
Increased network complexity
The growing complexity of modern networks is a significant driver for the network automation market. As organizations adopt cloud computing, IoT devices, and distributed architectures, managing these intricate networks manually becomes increasingly challenging and error-prone. Network automation solutions offer the ability to handle this complexity efficiently, reducing human errors and improving network performance. They enable rapid configuration changes, consistent policy enforcement, and real-time monitoring across diverse network environments. This capability is crucial for maintaining network reliability, security, and agility in the face of evolving business needs and technological advancements. Consequently, the demand for network automation tools continues to rise as networks become more complex and dynamic.
High initial investment
The high initial investment required for implementing network automation solutions poses a significant barrier to adoption, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. The costs encompass not only the software and hardware components but also the expenses associated with integration, staff training, and potential process redesigns. Many organizations struggle to justify these upfront costs, despite the long-term benefits of improved efficiency and reduced operational expenses. Additionally, the complexity of migration from legacy systems to automated solutions can further inflate implementation costs. This financial hurdle can slow market growth and limit widespread adoption of network automation technologies.
Customization and flexibility
As businesses face unique network challenges and requirements, there's a growing need for automation tools that can be tailored to specific environments and workflows. This trend opens doors for vendors to develop modular, API-driven solutions that integrate seamlessly with existing systems and allow for easy customization. The ability to offer flexible deployment options, such as on-premises, cloud-based, or hybrid models, further expands market potential. Additionally, the rise of intent-based networking and AI-driven automation creates opportunities for innovative solutions that can adapt to changing network conditions and business needs autonomously.
Competitive pressure
The network automation market faces intense competitive pressure as both established networking giants and innovative startups vie for market share. This competition can lead to price pressures, potentially reducing profit margins for vendors. The rapid pace of technological advancements in areas such as AI, machine learning, and intent-based networking means companies must continually innovate to remain relevant. Additionally, the emergence of open-source automation tools and platforms poses a challenge to proprietary solutions.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of network automation solutions as organizations rapidly shifted to remote work models. The need for secure, reliable, and scalable networks to support distributed workforces drove demand for automated network management tools. Network automation became crucial for maintaining business continuity, enhancing security, and managing increased network traffic. This shift is likely to have a lasting impact on the market as businesses continue to prioritize network resilience and flexibility post-pandemic.
The solutions segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period
The solutions segment is expected to dominate the network automation market due to its comprehensive offerings that address critical network management challenges. These solutions encompass a wide range of tools and platforms, including network orchestration, configuration management, and analytics software. They provide organizations with the ability to automate complex network tasks, improve operational efficiency, and enhance network security. The growing demand for integrated, end-to-end automation solutions that can manage diverse network environments drives the segment's growth.
The cloud segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period
The cloud segment in the network automation market is poised for significant growth due to the increasing adoption of cloud-based networking solutions and services. Cloud-based network automation offers several advantages, including scalability, flexibility, and reduced infrastructure costs. The integration of cloud-native technologies with network automation tools enhances their capabilities, allowing for more dynamic and responsive network management. As businesses continue to migrate their operations to the cloud, the demand for cloud-based network automation solutions is expected to surge, driving the segment's growth rate.
The North America region is projected to account for the largest market share during the forecast period due to its advanced technological infrastructure and early adoption of network automation solutions. The region hosts many leading network automation vendors and has a high concentration of enterprises with complex network environments. The strong presence of industries such as IT, telecommunications, and finance drives the demand for sophisticated network management tools. Additionally, the region's focus on digital transformation initiatives and the rapid adoption of cloud services contribute to the growth of the network automation market.
The Asia Pacific region is projected to achieve the highest CAGR during the forecast period, driven by rapid digital transformation across various industries. The region's growing IT infrastructure, increasing adoption of cloud services, and expanding telecommunications sector create fertile ground for network automation solutions. Countries like China, India, and Japan are investing heavily in 5G networks and smart city initiatives, which require advanced network management capabilities. As businesses in Asia Pacific increasingly prioritize operational efficiency and agility, the adoption of network automation technologies is expected to accelerate, resulting in the high growth rate globally.
Key players in the market
Some of the key players in Network Automation Market include Cisco Systems, Juniper Networks, IBM, VMware, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, SolarWinds, Micro Focus, NetBrain, Forward Networks, BMC Software, Anuta Networks, Apstra, BlueCat, Entuity, Riverbed, Itential, Fortinet, and Red Hat.
In September 2024, Hewlett Packard Enterprise expanded Aruba Networking Central with new AI insights and capabilities, including integration of OpsRamp for third-party network device monitoring.
In June 2024, Cisco Systems announced the expansion of its AI-powered network management solution, Cisco Networking Cloud, with new capabilities including Cisco Workflows for automating configuration tasks across domains.
In January 2024, Juniper Networks unveiled an AI-Native Networking Platform that unifies campus, branch, and data center networking operations via a common AI engine and the Mist Marvis Virtual Network Assistant.
Note: Tables for North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East & Africa Regions are also represented in the same manner as above.