Case study - Successful implementation of an SD-WAN to strengthen IT infrastructure
An Ireland-based aircraft leasing company successfully procured an SD-WAN network within six months, to replace the existing MPLS network. Through meticulous planning, stakeholder collaboration, and thorough bid evaluation, the project laid the groundwork for a future-proof IT infrastructure, supporting the company's global operations and business objectives.
- Industry
- Aviation / Aircraft Leasing
- Roles
- Project Manager for the SD-WAN network implementation, IT Procurement Manager
- Services
- Project management, network technology, procurement strategy, stakeholder management, bid evaluation
Objective
The task was to implement a Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) as a replacement for the existing MPLS network, considering the challenging time constraints.
Challenges
The primary challenge was the company's limited experience with the specific functionality of the desired SD-WAN. The decision had to be made within a tight six-month timeframe. Additionally, existing service providers who offered the current MPLS solution and also provided SD-WAN services posed another hurdle. The solution needed to cover global regions, including the Americas, Europe, and China.
Execution
The procurement involved all relevant stakeholders, including the existing security organization, IT operations, architecture, and the legal department. Trainings were conducted for all internal participants to ensure a targeted approach in dealing with vendors. A two-stage process with RFI and RFS was executed. Solution workshops were held to collaboratively develop and finalize the solution with the vendors. After the solution freeze, bids were submitted. A thorough evaluation of the bids was conducted, with clear evaluation criteria established. Walkthrough sessions were used to clarify all technical, legal, and professional questions. Finally, the bids were evaluated, and the final negotiation took place.
Outcome
The result of this project was the successful procurement of a Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) within the given timeframe. This project laid the foundation for a future-proof IT infrastructure, helping the company achieve its business goals.