Forward Networks Launches Predictive Tool to Eliminate Network Change Risks
Event summary
- Forward Networks launched Forward Predict on May 20, 2026, a tool that simulates network changes using a digital twin to prevent production errors.
- The tool is already in beta with select customers, including IG Group, and will be generally available in fall 2026.
- Forward Networks claims the tool can accelerate design-to-deployment and eliminate risk at the design stage.
- The company positions Forward Predict as a critical step toward autonomous networking.
- Forward Networks was founded over a decade ago with the goal of enabling autonomous networking.
The big picture
Forward Networks' Forward Predict tool addresses a long-standing challenge in network management: the inability to accurately predict the impact of changes before they are implemented. This launch comes as enterprises increasingly rely on complex, multi-vendor networks that span on-premises and cloud environments. The tool's ability to simulate changes using a digital twin could significantly reduce outages and security vulnerabilities, positioning Forward Networks as a key player in the autonomous networking space. The company's backing by prominent investors like Andreessen Horowitz and Goldman Sachs underscores the strategic importance of this technology.
What we're watching
- Adoption Pace
- The pace at which enterprises will integrate Forward Predict into their existing network management workflows.
- Competitive Response
- How existing network management and security vendors will respond to Forward Predict's predictive capabilities.
- Autonomous Networking
- Whether Forward Predict will accelerate the industry's shift toward fully autonomous networking.
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