Business Challenges
A chemical manufacturer with facilities across the globe, operated a multicarrier 25-site MPLS network with applications single-threaded to each site, creating significant operational challenges.
The manufacturer attempted to solve these issues by contracting a carrier specific SD-WAN solution, but after six months of work, the carrier was unable to meet the requirements.
The Globalgig Solution
The company knew it needed a platform to deliver the network reliability and performance its global workforce required. It evaluated various options, including leading SD-WAN platform solutions from large U.S. carriers. Globalgig worked closely with the manufacturer to understand requirements and project goals, providing an unbiased view on SD-WAN platforms and global technology trends. The company ultimately chose Globalgig as its partner for the project. Globalgig recommended a carrier independent SD-WAN solution built on the Palo Alto CloudGenix platform.¹
The custom-engineered solution was uniquely designed to the manufacturer’s operational requirements, including customer co-management. The SD-WAN platform provided:
- A single, unified global control plane
- Application layer visibility via AppFabric for improved network intelligence from day one²
- An internet-based global network with dual, diverse carriers and last-mile loop providers
- Application-aware, best-path routing that leverages all connections simultaneously for better performance and uptime
- Integration with the customer’s global Palo Alto firewalls, enabling offloaded routing intelligence, standardization, and scalable security policy
Results – Lower Costs, Better Uptime and Performance
By partnering with Globalgig to upgrade its global network, the customer gained a nimble, high performance, cloud-first SD-WAN network infrastructure that delivers significant benefits, including:
- A 40% reduction in overall network expenses
- Improved resiliency through dual connections at each location, providing carrier diversity
- A better end-user experience, thanks to dramatically improved network reliability and performance
- Mitigation against changes to internet policies in China, using hubbed Ethernet private lines out of the country
- Increased network throughput to drive and support the manufacturer’s adoption of IaaS and SaaS applications
- Resilient network connectivity across the global network, including significant network enhancements in China
The customer also benefited from working with a single provider to meet its global network needs; one with the unique ability to provide strategic guidance, make unbiased technology recommendations, and deliver the optimal solution for the manufacturer’s operating environment.
Customer Profile – Chemical Manufacturer
The company provides products and technologies that purify, protect and enhance the world. The company operates in three reporting segments: Performance Chemicals, Advanced Polymer Technologies and Performance Materials. The products are used in in a variety of demanding applications, including adhesives, agrochemicals, asphalt paving, bioplastics, coatings, elastomers, lubricants, pavement markings, publication inks, oil exploration and production and automotive components that reduce gasoline vapor emissions.