In today’s hyper-connected business landscape, enterprises demand agile, secure, and high-performance network infrastructures. Traditional WAN architectures often struggle to keep up with modern cloud-based applications, leading to latency, inefficiencies, and rising costs.
This case study explores how a global enterprise successfully migrated from a legacy MPLS-based WAN to a Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) solution. The transition not only optimized network performance but also delivered significant cost savings and operational flexibility.
By diving into their challenges, migration strategy, and measurable outcomes, we’ll uncover why SD-WAN CPE is becoming the go-to solution for enterprises worldwide.
The Challenge: Outdated Infrastructure Hindering Growth
The enterprise in question—a multinational corporation with offices across North America, Europe, and Asia—faced several critical issues with its existing MPLS-based network:
- High Costs – MPLS circuits were expensive, especially for international branches.
- Limited Scalability – Adding new sites took weeks due to lengthy carrier provisioning.
- Poor Application Performance – Cloud-based apps like Microsoft 365 and Salesforce suffered from latency.
- Complex Management – Network changes required manual configurations across multiple devices.
With digital transformation accelerating, the company needed a solution that could:
✔ Reduce operational costs
✔ Improve application performance
✔ Simplify network management
✔ Support rapid global expansion
Why SD-WAN CPE?
After evaluating multiple options, the enterprise chose an SD-WAN CPE solution for several compelling reasons:
1. Cost Efficiency
SD-WAN allows enterprises to leverage affordable broadband internet alongside MPLS, reducing reliance on expensive dedicated circuits.
2. Enhanced Performance
With intelligent traffic steering, SD-WAN prioritizes critical applications (e.g., VoIP, video conferencing) while dynamically routing traffic over the best available path.
3. Simplified Management
A centralized dashboard provides real-time visibility and policy-based automation, eliminating the need for manual configurations.
4. Security Integration
Built-in encryption, next-gen firewalls, and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) ensure secure connectivity across all locations.
5. Scalability
Deploying new branches became faster—often completed in hours instead of weeks.
The Migration Strategy: A Phased Approach
To ensure a smooth transition, the enterprise adopted a structured, three-phase migration plan:
Phase 1: Assessment & Planning
- Conducted a network audit to identify traffic patterns and application dependencies.
- Defined performance benchmarks for post-migration success.
- Selected an SD-WAN CPE vendor based on scalability, security, and ease of management.
Phase 2: Pilot Deployment
- Rolled out SD-WAN CPE in three regional offices to test performance and reliability.
- Monitored latency, jitter, and packet loss to validate improvements.
- Gathered user feedback to fine-tune policies before full deployment.
Phase 3: Global Rollout
- Gradually replaced MPLS with broadband and 4G/5G failover links.
- Implemented automated policies for application-aware routing.
- Trained IT teams on centralized management tools for ongoing optimization.
Measurable Outcomes: The Impact of SD-WAN CPE
Post-migration, the enterprise achieved remarkable results:
| Metric | Before SD-WAN | After SD-WAN | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Network Costs | $1.2M annually | $650K annually | 46% reduction |
| Application Latency | 280ms | 90ms | 68% faster |
| Deployment Time | 4-6 weeks | <24 hours | 98% faster |
| IT Management Effort | 30 hours/week | 10 hours/week | 67% reduction |
Key Benefits Realized:
✅ Cost Savings – Reduced WAN expenses by nearly half.
✅ Faster Cloud Apps – Microsoft 365 and Zoom performance improved dramatically.
✅ Business Continuity – Seamless failover during outages with no downtime.
✅ Future-Proofing – Ready to support IoT and edge computing initiatives.
Lessons Learned & Best Practices
The enterprise’s journey offers valuable insights for other organizations considering SD-WAN CPE:
- Start with a Pilot – Testing in select locations minimizes risk.
- Monitor Continuously – Real-time analytics help optimize traffic routing.
- Train IT Teams Early – Ensures smooth adoption and troubleshooting.
- Leverage Security Features – Integrate firewalls and encryption from day one.
Conclusion: Is SD-WAN CPE Right for Your Enterprise?
This case study demonstrates how migrating to SD-WAN CPE can transform enterprise networks—delivering cost efficiency, agility, and superior performance.
For businesses struggling with legacy WAN limitations, SD-WAN isn’t just an upgrade; it’s a strategic enabler for digital transformation.
Is your organization ready to make the switch?