Future-proofing Enterprises, with Network Modernization

What is Network Modernization?

In an era marked by a global workforce operating on both cloud and on-premises workloads, achieving business goals demands a modernized and future-proof network. Enterprise network modernization needs to be viewed holistically, as focusing on only a few components of the network may lead to increased costs and unnecessary business disruptions. A modernized network signifies an end-to-end network transformation that is flexible, cost-effective, and AI-driven.

Why Network Modernization?

With the advent of the cloud, hybrid workload infrastructure has become common across enterprises, and users now require flexible access to enterprise workloads regardless of their location.

Investments in the network domain have lagged behind advancements in compute, storage, and cloud infrastructure. However, with the rise of software defined networking (SDN) and AI for networks, the network domain has become a foundational investment.

Enterprises face market-driven challenges and opportunities that necessitate network modernization.

Some recent examples of challenges witnessed across industries include:

A multinational bank faced urgent regulatory risks and required the rapid replacement of 80% of its 20,000 aging wireless access points within a year.
A global manufacturing company with centralized data centres and a traditional WAN experienced slow transactions due to high latency, performance bottlenecks, and security compliance challenges.
A UK energy company struggled with a non-standard, unmanaged legacy network, resulting in poor performance, audit non-compliance, and management challenges.
A global FMCG company operated a highly distributed LAN infrastructure characterized by inconsistent standards and limited hardware resources, which led to delays in time-to-market, management challenges, reduced performance, and increased operational costs.

Traditional networks lack the capabilities required to support the flexibility of hybrid working environment. Some of the key challenges currently faced by enterprises include:

1. Security

Vulnerabilities in legacy devices due to limited security controls.
Lack of OEM support on legacy devices due to end-of-life (EOL)/ end-of-support (EOS) status.
Absence of a unified security posture for hybrid user access and multi-platform applicationsss

2. Unplanned spending

Ad hoc spending on short-term projects leading to a siloed approach
Lack of a holistic network modernization strategy
Future projects potentially rendering past transformations obsolete, leading to extra spending

3. Fragmented roadmaps

Rework and project failures due to changing roadmap
Lack of long-term transformation plans with a narrowed focus on short-term successes
The need for prioritized and structured roadmap for short-, mid- and long-term transformation goals

4. User Experience

Inferior performance due to non-optimal traffic paths
Impact on adoption of new services such as cloud and internet
Lack of visibility or control over user experience metrics
Minimal automation leading to higher issue resolution times

5. Velocity

Time-consuming transformations leading to project overruns
Unpredictable results and delays due to non-standardized processes

Figure 1: Key drivers of Network Modernisation

Essentials of a successful network modernization initiative

An effective network modernization should adopt a comprehensive approach to end-to-end network services and products across WAN, LAN, WiFi, cloud networking, and AI-driven solutions and services.

Figure 2: Network Modernisation Essential and Operating model

The Network modernization initiative requires an operating model that incorporates several key essentials for success. These include:

Stakeholder engagement: Value-driven discussions with key stakeholders such as CTOs and CISOs, to get a strategic view of business requirements are a great starting point. Network directors and support managers who operate the network services, understand the technical gaps and management hurdles of a non-modernized network. Involving stakeholders helps architect a network that non only meets the business goals but also focuses on user experience and ease of management.
Advisory services: A consulting led approach is essential in assisting customers with the right product selection, conducting maturity assessments and analysis of current network, and developing an achievable transformation roadmap. Detailed feature comparisons and cost analysis are crucial as well.
Design: Network design should address both existing infrastructure and future technology needs. This includes evaluating current hardware and software capabilities, anticipating growth in user demand, ensuring compatibility with upcoming innovations, and creating a flexible framework that can adapt as requirements evolve. A SDN design allows for a highly available and resilient network with centralized management and visibility. Adapting Zero Trust architecture can improve security postures while enabling low-latency and efficient connectivity to cloud and SaaS applications.
Transformation: The implementation and migration approach should enable a repeatable approach for faster and risk-free transformation. A first-time right solution with a rapid factory-based approach to transformation, leads to quicker deployments and faster time-to-market. Standardized processes, templatized configurations, and AI-powered deployment all aid to a predicable outcome.
Value realization: Establish a value realization office to monitor the business objectives and ensure optimal product and resource utilization. Creating a baseline of the current network performance and focusing on user performance enhancements is essential.
Support services: A centre of excellence for testing new product features, building use-cases, and defining integration points is essential for demonstrating proof-of-concept and solution capabilities. Ongoing support ensures unified management, visibility, control, automated ticketing, and GenAI-powered self-healing capabilities.
Partners: Engaging with OEM partners for network, cloud, bandwidth, and field services is crucial to building solutions, understanding technology, developing use-cases, and gaining insights into future roadmaps. This approach is key to providing a modern and cost-effective solution to customers.

Conclusion

In a world with hybrid workforce and workloads, modernizing the enterprise network is crucial to adapt to ever evolving business needs. Therefore, a holistic approach is necessary to avoid unnecessary expenditures and successfully achieve long-term goals. A consulting-led, AI-Powered approach to transformation provides a detailed analysis of the current network environment, along with a transformation roadmap tailored to both current and future business goals, ensuring a robust and modern network infrastructure.

About the Author

Satyaki Hosmane

Senior Solution Architect, Network Practice, Wipro Limited

With more than 25 years of experience in network engineering, architecture, project management, and strategic consulting, Satyaki has developed a distinguished career delivering networking solutions for enterprise clients across a range of industries.

Over the past 9 years at Wipro, Satyaki has contributed as an architect and consultant to several complex and transformational projects. He focuses on creating practical, future-oriented network solutions that support business objectives, making use of emerging technologies such as software-defined networking (SDN), cloud networking, and network automation. His strength lies in connecting technical architecture with business strategy, helping to translate technology concepts into scalable solutions that improve performance and resilience.

Throughout his career, Satyaki has worked with global clients to design secure and efficient network infrastructures that enable digital transformation. Satyaki is interested in technology innovation, solution development, and assisting organisations in realising the potential of modern network architectures.