SD-WAN upgrade reduces costs and accelerates troubleshooting for automotive tech
HCLTech’s SD-WAN transformation improved application performance, reduced costs and enabled 40–50% faster troubleshooting and scalable operations across global sites.
Overview
A global automotive technology leader partnered with HCLTech to modernize its network infrastructure and reduce operational complexity. The engagement focused on deploying a scalable SD-WAN solution to replace legacy MPLS links, improve network performance and enable faster provisioning across multiple global sites.
The Objective
The client wanted to transform its network landscape by:
- Replacing MPLS links with cost-effective Internet circuits
- Enhancing performance for latency-sensitive applications like VoIP
- Improving network visibility and traffic optimization
- Accelerating provisioning and enabling scalable operations
The Challenge
The client faced several network-related challenges that impacted efficiency and scalability:
- High recurring costs associated with MPLS links
- Complex SLA management in remote geographies
- Time-consuming provisioning and restoration processes
- Increasing bandwidth demands from users
- Limited visibility into network traffic and performance
The Solution
HCLTech designed and implemented a two-phase SD-WAN transformation:
- Phase 1: Proof of Concept (PoC) across 10 branches to validate architecture and performance
- Phase 2: Roll-out to 30+ sites with MPLS replacement and Internet circuit provisioning
Key solution components included:
- End-to-end support for device and circuit provisioning
- Vendor governance for improved SLA management
- Traffic engineering for critical applications
- Cloud-based security integration using Prisma Cloud
The Impact
The client experienced measurable improvements across their network operations:
- 35% better application performance with intelligent traffic routing
- 45% faster MTTR, enabling quicker troubleshooting
- 25% lower network operating costs by replacing MPLS with Internet circuits
- 25% higher operational efficiency through unified WAN and SD-WAN management
- Future-ready, scalable network to support digital growth and expansion
