Gartner Expert

Jonathan Forest

VP Analyst

Jonathan Forest is an Analyst within Gartner's Information Technology Leaders team, focusing on Infrastructure and Operations with respect to enterprise networking. Mr. Forest primarily performs research and advises on SD-WAN, virtualization, managed network services, application performance, LAN/WLAN, migration to the cloud, connecting to the cloud, data center, cloud networking and managed network services/NaaS. Mr. Forest is also the Key Initiative Leader for Data Center Infrastructure where he drives the strategic content.

Before joining Gartner, Mr. Forest led product management, strategy, service management, and product marketing for managed network service providers and software vendors. He has experience in SD-WAN, MPLS, internet, cloud, virtualization, wireless, WiFi, satellite communications, broadband, UC, security and WAN optimization.

Previous experience

Mr. Forest ran product management and product marketing for an Application Optimization/SD WAN vendor. In this role, he managed the roadmap as far as features and timing, pricing, market positioning, market strategy, and field support with customers and channels.

His role was global, so his team was located in the U.S. and Europe. Hence, he has international experience with customers, vendors and channel partners.

Professional background

InfoVista

Vice President, Enterprise Products and Markets

Hughes Network Systems

Senior Director, Premium Services Management

Accel Networks

Vice President, Business Development and Product Management

Education

M.B.A., International Business, University of Maryland

Bachelor of Science, Mathematics, University of Wisconsin

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Top Issues That I Help Clients Address

1SD-WAN/SASE Market Trends

2Network Services Features Functionality (SD WAN, DCN, LAN/WLAN, Cloud Networking, etc.)

3Managed Network Services Evaluation

4AI Networking/Automation

5WAN Migration to the Cloud