It's a case study episode! Greg is joined by Johan Ihse, product owner of global connectivity at H&M.
As with previous WAN manager interviews, we'll focus on the story behind the network. This includes learning about H&M's network set-up, the transformations they've undertaken, and some goals for where Johan would like to see their network go.
The duo discusses WAN security, the benefits of having a telecom background in WAN management, and the makeup of a network that supports retail locations around the globe.
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Case Study Takeaways
Shift to Internet-Based Infrastructure with Local Breakout
H&M is actively moving away from older Layer 2 services like VPLS and Ethernet lines toward a more internet-based infrastructure. This strategy, not initially driven by SD-WAN, aims to reduce hardware and align with their cloud-based strategy.
Extensive Global Network Footprint
H&M operates a large and complex global network. They are present in about 75 countries with their stores and about 55 online markets. The store network alone comprises approximately 4,800 sites, which is considerably larger than the networks of many other enterprises. This extensive footprint includes different site types, such as stores, supporting offices, large warehouses, and call centers, each with varying requirements.
The geographical distribution and diverse infrastructure availability in different countries (e.g., Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh vs. countries with well-developed infrastructure) necessitate a flexible approach to connectivity options.
Strategic SD-WAN Adoption and Cloud Integration
H&M is now in the process of adopting SD-WAN technology. Despite waiting until solutions became more developed, they are now rolling out an SD-WAN solution in all their stores. The goal is to make more use of this platform for network consolidation, create higher availability for store services, and support suppliers who are increasingly cloud-based.
