Case studies

Facilitating change to simplify user experience and support evolving needs

key fact

Operating worldwide, this British manufacturer of personal healthcare products and consumer goods, is a FTSE 250 company and listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Developing a network transformation strategy for a major consumer goods group, and supporting the search for the best supplier

Challenge

Despite recently transforming its global operating model and increasing the emphasis on effective and reliable collaboration across the business, this dynamic consumer products group still struggled with legacy applications whose performance differed geographically, resulting in an unpredictable user experience. It was imperative therefore, to align these disparate business services, while remaining cost-optimal.

Mason Advisory were appointed to develop a global network strategy for WAN, LAN and security services. With the unique wide geographic footprint creating a variety of challenges for the business. We were then ideally placed to support our client in sourcing the right supplier to manage and transform its future network service.

Solution

We undertook a detailed assessment of the existing network environment, including technology, suppliers, people and costs, and engaged with several key stakeholders from various business regions, to gain a clear understanding of the business, plans, business challenges and IT strategy. We were able to map the current network capabilities against the requirements and develop a gap analysis to assist with strategic direction.

As the new strategy developed, it became apparent that network transformation was essential. We evaluated the network technology marketplace and made recommendations: estimating the cost of change and the impact on run costs and creating a comprehensive strategy and transformation roadmap. This document allowed the client to make an internal business case and secure executive support for the investment required. The pack was also used during the next phase of the project as the team moved into procurement activity.

Mason Advisory led an early market engagement through a global network RFI to selected service providers for our client. The aim was to validate the technology assumptions and the technical direction defined within the global network strategy, and to validate the cost assumptions made. Eleven vendors took part in the process, which then informed development of the RFP and the short-list of suppliers to take part. Working closely with our client’s technical, service and commercial teams helped create the client develop the technical specifications for the global network RFP and supported the evaluation of suppliers through best-and-final-offers, to contract negotiations.

Outcome

The final result has provided our client with a new global strategic network provider, offering a simplified, standardised and agile network architecture with SD-WAN and network cloud security solutions, a refreshed and more scalable LAN/Wi-Fi solution, and enhanced managed service support, while transforming services at no additional up-lift to existing operating costs.

Feedback from our customer has been positive, acknowledging the consistency in support we have provided from start to completion.

Our services

View all