MEF, the global industry association accelerating enterprise digital transformation, has rebranded as Mplify Alliance, marking the start of a new era focused on AI-driven automation, cybersecurity, and Network-as-a-Service (NaaS). The new name reflects an expanded community of enterprises, cloud providers, data center operators, service providers, technology vendors, and systems integrators — all collaborating to define the future of secure, automated, intelligent services.
In a video interview with Converge! Digest editor Jim Carroll, Mplify COO Kevin Vachon explained that the transition builds on MEF’s two-decade legacy while opening the door to new growth.
“We think Mplify provides a much better wrapper around the work we’ve done over the last 10 years — and represents where we’re going,” said Vachon.
As enterprises shift toward AI-optimized, programmable networks and multi-cloud services, Mplify is driving frameworks for Lifecycle Service Orchestration (LSO) APIs, Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) certification, and NaaS-enabling capabilities. The evolution will be on full display at the upcoming Global NaaS Event (GNE) in November.
“AI, automation, and cybersecurity are transforming how we deliver services,” said Debika Bhattacharya, Mplify Board Chair and CTO of Verizon Business Group.
“Mplify gives us a stronger platform to drive that change together.”
Highlights from the video interview with Kevin Vachon:
- 00:18 — Mplify rebranding announcement
- 01:11 — MEF’s 24-year history and early Carrier Ethernet standards
- 03:28 — Pivot to APIs, NaaS, and AI-era networking
- 05:53 — Ethernet’s role in elastic AI network fabrics
- 06:54 — LSO APIs enabling AI-as-a-Service and GPU-as-a-Service
- 07:17 — Expanding membership: enterprises, cloud, data center, integrators
- 09:00 — Balancing member-driven innovation with industry leadership
- 10:22 — Preview of Global NaaS Event (GNE), November 10-14
“Mplify is built on everything that made MEF successful — and designed for what the future demands,” said Nan Chen, CEO of Mplify.
With AI-driven services rising fast, Mplify aims to provide the shared definitions, standardization, and certification that enterprises need to deploy secure, automated connectivity at global scale.
