Viasat’s digital transformation strategy integrates advanced satellite technologies with robust enterprise systems. The company is actively migrating its core business operations to SAP S/4HANA Cloud, modernizing critical financial and supply chain management workflows. This initiative addresses legacy system constraints and aims to standardize global business processes across its diverse segments.
This transformation creates significant dependencies on secure data flows and integrated system functionalities. Challenges arise from ensuring seamless data synchronization across new and existing platforms and maintaining compliance with stringent regulations. This page will analyze Viasat’s key digital initiatives, the operational challenges they introduce, and where sales opportunities emerge for solutions providers.
Viasat Snapshot
Headquarters: Carlsbad, California, USA
Number of employees: 7,000
Public or private: Public
Business model: Both
Website: https://www.viasat.com
Viasat ICP and Buying Roles
Viasat sells to complex global enterprises and government agencies requiring high-capacity, secure, and resilient communication solutions.
Who drives buying decisions
- Chief Digital Officer → Oversees enterprise-wide technology adoption
- Chief Information Officer → Manages IT infrastructure and system integration
- Head of Supply Chain → Directs procurement and logistics system modernization
- Head of Cybersecurity → Establishes data security and network resilience policies
Key Digital Transformation Initiatives at Viasat (At a Glance)
- SAP S/4HANA Cloud Migration: Replaces legacy ERP systems with a unified cloud platform for financial and operational management.
- Global Satellite Network Integration: Unifies multiple satellite orbits and ground infrastructure into a single, seamless communication network.
- Tactical Mission Fabric Deployment: Establishes an edge-to-cloud networking overlay for military tactical communications.
- IoT Nano Service Launch: Introduces advanced satellite-based connectivity for low-power, remote Internet of Things devices.
- Space-to-Ground Encryption Development: Creates new cryptographic solutions for securing satellite communication data for government applications.
- Direct-to-Device Network Activation: Launches global direct-to-device connectivity for smartphones and IoT devices.
Where Viasat’s Digital Transformation Creates Sales Opportunities
| Vendor Type | Where to Sell (DT Initiative + Challenge) | Buyer / Owner | Solution Approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| ERP Data Integration Platforms | SAP S/4HANA Cloud Migration: transaction data fails to sync between new ERP and legacy financial systems. | Head of Finance, Head of IT | Standardize data formats and synchronize transaction records across disparate financial applications. |
| SAP S/4HANA Cloud Migration: vendor records contain inconsistencies during migration to the new platform. | Head of Procurement, Head of IT | Validate and cleanse vendor master data before full system cutover. | |
| Network Orchestration Tools | Global Satellite Network Integration: network traffic routing fails to adapt to dynamic capacity demands. | VP of Network Operations, Head of IT | Route data dynamically across multi-orbit satellite constellations based on real-time demand. |
| Tactical Mission Fabric Deployment: connectivity links fail during contested military operations. | Chief Information Officer, Head of Cybersecurity | Orchestrate seamless failover across diverse communication paths to maintain network uptime. | |
| IoT Data Management Platforms | IoT Nano Service Launch: sensor data streams contain missing values from remote devices. | Head of IoT Solutions, Operations Manager | Validate data completeness and integrity from satellite-connected IoT endpoints. |
| IoT Nano Service Launch: device identities are not consistently managed across diverse IoT deployments. | Head of IoT Solutions, Head of Product | Enforce consistent device authentication and authorization policies for all connected IoT assets. | |
| Data Security & Governance Software | Space-to-Ground Encryption Development: classified data is vulnerable during transmission between space and ground systems. | Chief Information Security Officer | Enforce end-to-end encryption protocols on all data moving across satellite links. |
| SAP S/4HANA Cloud Migration: access permissions are inconsistently applied across integrated SAP modules. | Head of Compliance, Chief Digital Officer | Standardize role-based access controls within the new SAP S/4HANA Cloud environment. |
Identify when companies like Viasat are in-market for your solutions.
Spot buying signals, find the right prospects, enrich your data, and reach out with relevant messaging at the right time.
What makes this Viasat’s digital transformation unique
Viasat’s digital transformation distinguishes itself through its simultaneous overhaul of foundational enterprise systems and the aggressive expansion of its global satellite network capabilities. This dual focus prioritizes operational agility through SAP S/4HANA Cloud while advancing its core satellite communication infrastructure. The company heavily depends on secure, resilient, and integrated systems, reflecting the critical nature of its government and commercial contracts. Its transformation is complex due to the integration of acquired assets and the need to manage diverse regulatory environments across its global operations.
Viasat’s Digital Transformation: Operational Breakdown
DT Initiative 1: SAP S/4HANA Cloud Migration
What the company is doing
Viasat implements SAP S/4HANA Cloud to replace its outdated legacy ERP environment. This migration centralizes financial management, supply chain planning, and other core business processes. The new platform helps achieve greater business flexibility and regulatory adherence.
Who owns this
- Chief Digital Officer
- Chief Information Officer
- Head of Finance
- Head of Supply Chain
Where It Fails
- Legacy financial data does not map correctly into new SAP S/4HANA Cloud fields.
- Existing business rules for invoice processing do not translate into the new SAP system.
- Supplier payment terms are inconsistently applied across different modules in the new ERP.
- Manual reconciliation is required for discrepancies between legacy and new financial reporting.
Talk track
Noticed Viasat is migrating to SAP S/4HANA Cloud. Been looking at how some complex organizations are validating legacy financial data before ingestion, happy to share what we’re seeing.
DT Initiative 2: Global Satellite Network Integration
What the company is doing
Viasat unifies its global satellite network by integrating existing assets with acquired infrastructure and new satellite launches. This initiative creates a seamless multi-orbit, multi-band network for resilient communication services. It dynamically allocates bandwidth to high-demand areas.
Who owns this
- VP of Network Operations
- Chief Technology Officer
- Head of Satellite Engineering
- Director of Infrastructure
Where It Fails
- Network traffic fails to reroute automatically during satellite link outages.
- Bandwidth allocation does not adjust in real-time to sudden spikes in user demand.
- Data transmission experiences latency spikes when switching between different satellite orbits.
- Configuration errors occur during the integration of newly acquired ground station equipment.
Talk track
Saw Viasat is integrating its global satellite network. Been looking at how some large communication providers are orchestrating network traffic for seamless failover, can share what’s working if useful.
DT Initiative 3: Tactical Mission Fabric Deployment
What the company is doing
Viasat deploys its Tactical Mission Fabric (TMF), an edge-to-cloud networking overlay for military tactical networks. This solution provides assured, multi-path connectivity and distributed cloud compute for critical defense operations. TMF enables real-time data processing and decision-making at the tactical edge.
Who owns this
- VP of Government Systems
- Director of Tactical Communications
- Head of Cybersecurity
- Chief Technology Officer
Where It Fails
- Sensor data from edge devices does not reach central command systems due to network disruptions.
- Real-time intelligence feeds experience delays from the tactical edge to cloud processing.
- Automated network orchestration fails to adapt to contested electronic warfare environments.
- Secure data transfers encounter blockages between distributed cloud compute nodes.
Talk track
Looks like Viasat is deploying its Tactical Mission Fabric for military networks. Been seeing defense teams ensure real-time data processing from edge devices instead of relying on batch transfers, happy to share what we’re seeing.
DT Initiative 4: IoT Nano Service Launch
What the company is doing
Viasat launches its IoT Nano connectivity service to provide cost-effective, low-data, two-way messaging for Internet of Things devices. This service supports monitoring and control of fixed and mobile assets in remote and challenging environments. It expands Viasat's portfolio of IoT connectivity services for various industries.
Who owns this
- Head of IoT Solutions
- Director of Enterprise Business
- Product Manager, IoT Services
- Operations Manager
Where It Fails
- Remote IoT devices fail to transmit data due to power consumption issues in low-power modes.
- Message delivery speeds decrease during peak usage periods for high-volume IoT deployments.
- Data from diverse IoT sensors does not standardize before ingestion into analytics platforms.
- Device configuration updates fail to propagate consistently across a large fleet of connected assets.
Talk track
Noticed Viasat launched its IoT Nano service. Been looking at how some enterprise teams are validating data completeness from remote IoT sensors before analytics processing, can share what’s working if useful.
Who Should Target Viasat Right Now
This account is relevant for:
- ERP data migration and integration platforms
- Multi-orbit network orchestration and management solutions
- Edge-to-cloud security and data synchronization platforms
- IoT device management and data validation tools
- Cybersecurity solutions for critical infrastructure and satellite communications
- Supply chain planning and optimization software
Not a fit for:
- Basic website development services
- Generic social media marketing tools
- Stand-alone CRM systems without integration capabilities
- Products designed for small, local businesses
- Non-critical business applications
- Consumer-grade network equipment
When Viasat Is Worth Prioritizing
Prioritize if:
- You sell solutions that validate legacy financial data during ERP migration processes.
- You sell tools that dynamically route network traffic across multiple satellite constellations.
- You sell platforms that orchestrate secure data flow from edge devices to cloud environments.
- You sell solutions that ensure data integrity and power optimization for remote IoT devices.
- You sell end-to-end encryption systems for satellite communication links.
- You sell role-based access control and governance solutions for complex ERP systems.
Deprioritize if:
- Your solution does not address specific breakdowns related to satellite network operations or ERP integration.
- Your product is limited to basic functionality without advanced data validation or security features.
- Your offering is not built for large-scale, highly regulated enterprise and government environments.
- Your solution lacks capabilities for multi-orbit satellite or edge-to-cloud infrastructure.
Who Can Sell to Viasat Right Now
ERP Data Migration Platforms
SAP - This company offers enterprise resource planning software, including SAP S/4HANA Cloud for core business functions. Why they are relevant: Viasat is migrating to SAP S/4HANA Cloud, but data inconsistencies can arise from legacy systems during this process. SAP's solutions can help standardize financial data and ensure accurate transfer into the new ERP environment.
Boomi - This company provides a cloud-native integration platform as a service (iPaaS) for connecting applications and data. Why they are relevant: Legacy financial data fails to sync between Viasat's old ERP and new SAP S/4HANA Cloud. Boomi can build robust integrations to ensure seamless data flow and prevent data discrepancies during the migration.
Network Orchestration and Management
Cisco - This company offers networking hardware, software, and telecommunications equipment. Why they are relevant: Viasat's global satellite network integration requires dynamic traffic routing that fails to adapt to sudden demand spikes. Cisco's networking solutions can provide advanced orchestration capabilities to manage bandwidth allocation efficiently.
Juniper Networks - This company develops and sells networking products, including routers, switches, network management software, and security products. Why they are relevant: Viasat's multi-orbit network needs to reroute traffic automatically during outages between satellite links. Juniper's network management software can detect failures and orchestrate seamless failover to maintain continuous connectivity.
Edge-to-Cloud Security Platforms
Palo Alto Networks - This company provides cybersecurity solutions, including firewalls, cloud security, and security operations. Why they are relevant: Viasat's Tactical Mission Fabric deployment faces risks of connectivity links failing during contested military operations. Palo Alto Networks can secure data transfers and enforce policies from the tactical edge to cloud processing, even in challenging environments.
Zscaler - This company offers a cloud security platform that provides secure access to applications and data. Why they are relevant: Real-time intelligence feeds from Viasat's tactical edge experience delays during cloud processing, risking critical decision-making. Zscaler can optimize secure data paths and reduce latency for sensitive information moving across distributed cloud compute nodes.
IoT Data Integrity and Device Management
PTC (ThingWorx) - This company provides an industrial IoT platform for connecting, building, and deploying IoT applications. Why they are relevant: Viasat's IoT Nano service encounters challenges with data completeness from remote devices due to power constraints. PTC's ThingWorx can manage device configurations and ensure data integrity from low-power IoT endpoints, even in remote locations.
Sierra Wireless - This company provides IoT devices, software, and services, including cellular modules and gateways. Why they are relevant: Viasat's IoT deployments face issues with inconsistent device identity management across diverse assets. Sierra Wireless can help enforce consistent authentication policies and streamline configuration updates for a large fleet of satellite-connected IoT devices.
Final Take
Viasat scales its global communications network and modernizes core enterprise systems, particularly its SAP S/4HANA Cloud migration. Breakdowns are visible in legacy data synchronization, dynamic network orchestration, and secure edge-to-cloud data transfer for defense applications. This account is a strong fit for providers offering robust data integration, resilient network management, and specialized cybersecurity solutions that address these complex, mission-critical operational challenges.
Identify buying signals from digital transformation at your target companies and find those already in-market.
Find the right contacts and use tailored messages to reach out with context.