Optimizing Network Infrastructure for a Global Luxury Retail Chain
Optimizing luxury retail network: seamless operations, enhanced security, scalable infrastructure, network management, cloud migration.
A Kosbit Case Study – Optimizing a global luxury retail chain’s network with over 6000 stores worldwide
Kosbit, a leading IT solutions provider, was tasked to provide solutions to a major multinational holding company specializing in luxury goods. This company manages over 60 subsidiaries and operates more than 6000 stores worldwide.
These stores are interconnected through five strategically placed data centers in EMEA, APAC, JAPAN, CHINA, and AMER. The company’s rapid growth and the complexity of its operations required a robust and scalable network infrastructure to ensure uninterrupted service and high security across all brands.
Challenge
A company of this size is poised to face significant challenges in maintaining and upgrading its extensive network infrastructure:
Complexity and Scale
Managing over 20,000 network devices requires constant planning and execution to ensure business as usual goes on while we evaluate potential upgrades.
Access Management
Ensuring universal access across all subsidiaries and troubleshooting network issues were complex tasks due to the network’s vastness. Additionally, the independent network setups of some subsidiaries before their integration into the company make access requests a tedious and time-consuming process.
Migration to Cloud Services
Transitioning from on-site data centers to cloud services at this level requires advanced skills and a deep understanding of the existing infrastructure.
False Positives in Cybersecurity
Managing and mitigating false positives in a large network environment required constant monitoring and adjustments. In emergencies, unnecessary blocks may sometimes happen and even whitelisting can lead to the opposite of false positives.
Impact of Configuration Changes
Any changes to core network devices could significantly affect traffic, requiring assessments and impact evaluations.
Dedicated MPLS Lines
Dedicated MPLS lines were allocated to ensure reliable, high-speed connectivity between the company’s global locations.
Vendor Lock-In
The company needed to avoid vendor lock-in to maintain flexibility and leverage best-of-breed solutions. This is why we went with Fortigate and Palo Alto firewalls.
Solution
To address these challenges, Kosbit implemented several strategies and technologies:
Redundant Data Centers
Each data center features an active and a passive side to ensure redundancy. In case of a failure on the active side, traffic is automatically redirected to the passive side. Clusters of routers, switches, and firewalls are used to avoid single points of failure.
Centralized Management Systems
We employed central management solutions such as Panorama for Palo Alto Firewalls and FortiManager and FortiAnalyzer for Fortinet Firewalls. These systems allowed centralized monitoring and management, making it easier to handle a large number of devices.
Cybersecurity Measures
Splunk SIEM was used for log collection, management, and correlation. This helped in monitoring security events and identifying false positives, which were then whitelisted on firewalls and other security devices.
Network Upgrade and Scalability
The network was upgraded using equipment to ensure optimal performance and security. Cisco Catalyst 4500 L3 Switches (VSS) and Cisco Catalyst C3650 switches were deployed for increased performance and capacity. The upgrade included:
– We chose the PA 5220 (slowly upgrading to PA 5410), FortiGate 1100E, and FortiGate 1200D Firewalls.
– StackWise technology for Stackable Switches.
– Panorama, FortiManager, and FortiAnalyzer for Network Management Systems.
– Splunk SIEM for Cybersecurity Solutions such as detecting, investigating, and responding to threats.
Avoiding Vendor Lock-In
Using both Palo Alto and Fortinet firewalls was a conscious choice. This way, we helped the company avoid vendor lock-in. We ensured flexibility, while also providing the best of both products in terms of solutions for different aspects of their network security.
Network Results
The network overhaul led to several significant improvements:
Bandwidth Increase
High-traffic stores experienced a bandwidth increase from 100 Mbps to 500 Mbps, facilitating smoother handling of data-intensive applications and improving overall network performance.
Enhanced Security
Implementing Palo Alto and Fortinet firewalls significantly enhanced the network’s security posture, reducing the risk of breaches and ensuring better protection of sensitive customer data.
Improved Response Times
Network response times improved by 30%, reducing latency and ensuring faster processing of transactions and data synchronization across stores.
Reduced Downtime
Due to the active-passive architecture, network downtime decreased by 60%, resulting in higher operational reliability and minimizing disruptions to store operations.
Scalability and Flexibility
The new infrastructure allowed for easy scaling, accommodating the company’s growth without compromising performance or security. The use of centralized management systems streamlined network monitoring and maintenance, making it more efficient.
Business Impact
The network improvements contributed to two quantifiable results:
Increased Sales
A 10% increase in in-store sales and a 15% boost in online sales due to enhanced network performance and reliability.
Operational Efficiency
The streamlined network management reduced the need for on-site IT interventions by 50%, significantly lowering operational expenses.
A Holistic Approach to Networking
This comprehensive network transformation by Kosbit ensured high availability, robust security, and efficient management. The new infrastructure increased the company’s ability to support its global operations while providing the scalability and flexibility needed to accommodate future growth and evolving technological demands.
Contact Kosbit for Optimized Network Solutions
To learn more about our solutions and how we can help optimize your network infrastructure, visit Kosbit!
