MPLS WAN Design: Manufacturing Firm

Abstract
To reduce cost and increase service (bandwidth) to its subsidiary manufacturing facilities and remote locations throughout Australia, South East Asia, Indonesia, and New Zealand, this client wanted to implement a Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS)-based Wide Area Network (WAN). Selecting the right design and mix of WAN-providers, based on multinational business requirements, was critical. A key component was to issue and review a Request for Proposal (RFP).

This client is the tenth-largest food manufacturer in America and employs more than 44,000 people worldwide. The firm provides over 3,000 products, including some of the most popular American brand names, to customers all over the world.

Problem—the client engaged ThruPoint to help manage the WAN design and RFP process.

The Business Challenge
ThruPoint analyzed the client’s business goals and objectives to create an architecture and design, and to issue an RFP. We wanted to ensure that the WAN vendors would support the client’s pacific-rim footprint, strategic initiatives, and technical infrastructure. The scope of this engagement was limited to the wide area network that serviced through the client’s hub, located in Sidney, Australia. ThruPoint assigned and managed a multi-disciplinary team to ensure the highest quality deliverables. 

How We Helped
ThruPoint assessed the client’s priorities to fully understand the business requirements for the network infrastructure. We analyzed the network traffic and applications supported, projected network growth, geographic reach, operational issues, performance issues, and management issues required to customize an infrastructure solution. ThruPoint issued an MPLS-based WAN RFP, and reviewed and selected the best WAN.

Lessons Learned
ThruPoint transformed the client’s business goals, technology growth plans, and requirements-findings into a concise network-infrastructure strategy, defining the functions and scalability that met the client’s needs. We helped to develop a Network Architecture & Design and then issued the appropriate RFP. The client realized a measurably increased quality of service and time-to-market.