SD-WAN Modernization Across 25 Sites

08Enterprise Network Modernization

SD-WAN Modernization Across 25 Sites

Network modernization infrastructure across distributed sites

Sites25 Sites MigrationMPLS to SD-WAN ApproachPhased, Site-by-Site Cutover OutcomeStandardized Architecture

Timeline18-Month Phased Modernization

Architecture1 Standardized Design, Every Site

CoordinationUp to 3 Vendors per Site

ValidationEnd-to-End Testing Every Cutover

ReadinessHardware, Power, Cabling, Firewall Checked

RiskRollback Plans on Every Site

StatusEvery Site Validated Stable

DeliverableNationwide Network Modernization

The Scenario

25 geographically distributed sites were still running on legacy MPLS and aging edge hardware, infrastructure that couldn't keep pace with a cloud-first, security-conscious organization. Every site had its own circuit, its own hardware age, and its own local quirks, so this wasn't a single upgrade, it was 25 of them, each needing its own procurement, staging, and cutover plan. The legacy network was costly, inflexible, and unable to support the organization's growing cloud adoption and bandwidth demands.

02Challenge

Coordinating a modernization that touched every team in the building, and every site outside it.

Coordinating across Network Engineering, Security, Infrastructure, local site managers, and outside vendors and carriers, each with their own priorities and timelines
Validating site readiness, hardware inventory, circuit and bandwidth availability, rack space, power, cabling, and firewall rules, before a single cutover could be scheduled
Circuit delays, configuration conflicts, and site-specific constraints, any one of which could derail a cutover window
Executing every cutover with minimal downtime for business operations already running on the old network
Managing dependencies between circuit activation, hardware installation, and SD-WAN provisioning

03Action

Ran every site the same disciplined way, roadmap to validation, while carrying several cutovers at once.

Built the full upgrade roadmap: site prioritization, cutover sequencing, risk analysis, and dependency mapping, then ran steering committee reviews to keep IT leadership, security, and business stakeholders aligned.

Coordinated with SD-WAN vendors, ISPs, and hardware suppliers on procurement, licensing, circuit readiness, and installation schedules, validating SOWs and tracking every delivery milestone.

Managed up to three vendors per site in parallel: the fiber construction contractor, the legacy MPLS telecom provider, and the broadband or DIA installer, keeping trenching, permitting, right-of-way issues, and onsite technician scheduling from stalling a cutover date. Every underlay circuit was activated and tested before a site's SD-WAN appliances went live.

Led site readiness assessments ahead of each cutover: hardware inventory, circuit and bandwidth validation, rack space, power, and cabling checks, with firewall rules and security policies documented before staging began.

Built a cutover plan for every site: pre-migration backups, change control submissions, rollback procedures, and a communication plan for local staff, then ran each cutover window in real time between engineers, carriers, and onsite personnel.

Validated every site after cutover: end-to-end connectivity testing, application performance checks, security policy verification, and monitoring and alerting configuration, before calling a site fully stable.

Coordinated the delivery and implementation of next-generation SD-WAN appliances across every branch and regional site.

Placed and managed broadband circuit orders end to end, from procurement through delivery and activation.

04Results

25sites migrated from legacy MPLS to modern SD-WAN

1standardized network architecture across every site, simplifying future expansion and support

18month phased modernization timeline

The SD-WAN modernization positioned the organization for long-term operational and technological growth by delivering:

A resilient, cloud-optimized network architecture
Faster, more reliable connectivity for distributed teams
Lower operational costs and simplified management
A scalable foundation for future digital transformation initiatives

Twenty-five sites, each with its own hardware and history, ended up on the same modern backbone: legacy MPLS retired, SD-WAN standardized site to site, and every cutover validated end to end before a site was called done.