Overview

A leading retail and entertainment company with 80 locations across Australia faced increasing challenges with their existing network infrastructure. With a central head office in Sydney, the company had relied on a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network to manage connectivity across sites.

However, the costs associated with MPLS were high, and the network no longer met the evolving needs of the business. To optimise network performance, reduce costs, and improve support, the company decided to overhaul its connectivity approach.

They engaged Telco Broker to find them a network solutions provider to guide them through this transition, seeking a more efficient and cost-effective network solution that could deliver higher speeds and support integration with cloud services.

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Problems and Requirements 

The company faced several critical challenges with its existing network setup:

High Costs of MPLS: The expense of using MPLS was substantial, and the company found they could no longer justify this outlay given advancements in other networking options.

Need for Faster Speeds and Enhanced Support: The retail and entertainment company required a faster and more reliable connection to ensure efficient operations across all locations.

Cost Efficiency with Minimal Disruption: Cost reduction was a key priority, but the company also emphasised the need for a seamless transition with minimal impact on their daily operations.

Modernising Connectivity and Security: The company aimed to transition to a more scalable and future-proof network by migrating to SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) for direct cloud access and upgrading their firewall infrastructure.

business internet switch
cloud business internet

Solutions and Recommendations 

After a comprehensive analysis, the network solutions provider recommended a multi-site Fibre/NBN management solution that leveraged faster, more affordable Fibre and NBN options across all locations. The solution was designed to meet the company’s goals while prioritising uninterrupted connectivity and network resilience.

Key components of the proposed solution included:

Deployment of Faster Fibre and NBN Connections: Leveraging multiple carriers, the network provider sourced optimal Fibre and NBN connections tailored to the requirements of each location. This approach reduced costs while delivering superior bandwidth.

Seamless Transition to SD-WAN: The SD-WAN setup enabled direct, secure connectivity to cloud resources. This streamlined cloud access enhanced network efficiency and flexibility, empowering the company to scale their network as needed.

Upgrade to Advanced Firewall Hardware: We facilitated a hardware upgrade for firewalls to enhance security and support the SD-WAN deployment. The upgraded firewalls ensured secure access and robust protection across all sites.

Redundancy and Failover Options: Recognising the importance of network reliability, we included redundancy and failover measures to safeguard against downtime. This redundancy not only optimised uptime but also offered flexibility to switch carriers if issues arose.

Centralised Management and Ongoing Support: We found them a provider that delivered end-to-end project management, from installation to post-deployment, ensuring minimal disruption to operations and a smooth changeover. The solution included ongoing support, allowing the company to manage internet links more efficiently and resolve issues quickly.

Outcomes 

The transition to SD-WAN, supported by a multi-site Fibre/NBN solution, resulted in significant benefits including:

Cost Savings: The company achieved considerable savings by eliminating MPLS, reducing their operational expenses without compromising on network performance.

Enhanced Connectivity and Support: The new setup delivered faster, more reliable internet connectivity, greatly improving the support experience for the company’s various sites. The SD-WAN deployment also enabled better link management and troubleshooting.

Increased Redundancy and Failover: With redundancy options now in place, the network infrastructure was better prepared to handle potential disruptions,providing stable connectivity for continuous operations.

Direct Access to Cloud Resources: The new SD-WAN solution facilitated secure and efficient access, aligning with the company’s broader digital transformation goals.

business internet switch
cloud business internet

Summary 

Telco Broker were able to partner the retail and entertainment company with an experienced network solutions provider, who were able to successfully overhaul its connectivity infrastructure, migrating to a more adaptable and cost-effective SD-WAN and multi-site Fibre/NBN management solution. This transition not only reduced expenses but also boosted their network speed, reliability, and scalability, meeting the company’s goals for operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. The strategic upgrade enabled the company to maintain smooth, efficient operations across all 80 locations while positioning them for future growth and digital innovation.

The success of this project demonstrates the value of modernising network infrastructure, and the company encourages other multi-location businesses facing similar connectivity challenges to consider SD-WAN solutions for improved efficiency, cost savings, and network resilience.