Businesses today rely on robust, secure, and agile network infrastructures to power their operations and maintain a competitive edge. For global food and beverage leader Nestle, addressing the limitations of legacy systems was critical to achieving these goals. By overhauling its network infrastructure with Cisco SD-WAN, Nestle unlocked improved resiliency, agility, operational efficiency, and centralized control across 1700 offices, factories, and warehouses in 185 countries.

A recent Cisco webinar featuring special guest speaker Giovanni di Marzio, Senior Solution Architect, WAN -Connectivity, ITP C&V for Nestle, explored the challenges Nestle faced, the Cisco SD-WAN solution it adopted, and the transformative outcomes that enabled the company to future-proof its network and enhance its overall operational performance.

Click here to watch the on-demand webinar featuring Nestle.

Navigating legacy network roadblocks

Nestle's IT team is tasked with managing a vast and complex global network that spans branch offices, manufacturing facilities, data centers, and cloud environments. However, several key obstacles have hindered their ability to scale, optimize performance, and deliver a seamless digital experience, including:

• High costs of MPLS links
  Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) links were integral to Nestle's legacy network infrastructure. However, they came with significant operational costs that made scalability difficult and modern network optimization nearly impossible.
• Fragmented and inefficient tools
  The complexity of managing a fragmented network infrastructure with disparate tools created many inefficiencies. They not only reduced operational agility but also complicated troubleshooting and day-to-day network management.
• Limited visibility into network performance
  A lack of visibility into multiple cloud and internet providers made it challenging to troubleshoot issues and ensure optimal performance for cloud applications.
• Security and compliance challenges
  In certain regions, security and compliance requirements added another layer of complexity. Policy-based routing and centralized compliance controls were necessary to address these challenges effectively.

Faced with these hurdles, Nestle recognized that a modern approach was essential to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and meet the needs of a digitally driven enterprise.

The solution: An innovative suite of networking technologies from Cisco

Nestle adopted Cisco SD-WAN paired with Cisco ThousandEyes and Cisco 8000 Series Secure Routers that together are designed to enhance connectivity, digital experience, security, and automation. This strategic move enabled the company to manage its global network with greater efficiency and resilience.

The technologies that transformed Nestle's network include:

• Cisco SD-WAN
  Cisco SD-WAN provides a cost-effective and simplified solution that features a multi-region fabric (MRF) and a software-defined approach to managing WAN traffic. With this technology, Nestle gained performance optimization, resilience, and efficiency across its WAN.
• Cisco ThousandEyes
  Cisco ThousandEyes offers a holistic view of digital experiences across Nestle's entire service delivery chain. This provides Nestle with real-time visibility into internet paths and the performance of cloud and data center connections, enabling faster troubleshooting and optimization.
• Cisco 8000 Series Secure Routers
  Packed with next-generation security capabilities, Cisco 8000 Series Secure Routers feature AI-powered automation, post-quantum cryptography, and seamless cloud management. These routers have helped future-proof Nestle's WAN, ensuring it can adapt to evolving security and connectivity needs.

Transforming and unifying network operations

The adoption of Cisco SD-WAN with Cisco ThousandEyes has yielded remarkable results for Nestle, driving significant improvements in both network performance and manageability.

Key outcomes for Nestle include:

• Centralized and simplified control
  With Cisco SD-WAN, Nestle IT gained the ability to manage branch offices, data centers, and cloud environments through a single dashboard. This eliminates the need for multiple point tools and has reduced the complexity of network management.
• Enhanced cost efficiencies
  By replacing expensive MPLS links with a centrally managed SD-WAN and network-as-a-service model, Nestle significantly reduced leased line and operational costs. This shift to a more cost-effective infrastructure supports scalability and long-term savings.
• End-to-end network visibility
  Cisco ThousandEyes empowers Nestle with real-time views into internet paths and network performance. This allows the IT team to proactively address issues, optimize cloud app performance, and ensure a seamless digital experience.
• High availability and performance improvements
  Automated failover and redundancy mechanisms have improved network reliability, ensuring 99.97% availability. Additionally, Nestle now enjoys a lower incidence of latency, reduced disruptions, and overall enhanced performance across its global network.

A unified vision for the future

Nestle's transformation journey highlights how modern, transformative network technologies drive agility, efficiency, and resilience. By adopting Cisco SD-WAN, Cisco ThousandEyes, and secure routers, the company has not only addressed its immediate challenges but also positioned itself for future success in a connected world.

When describing the impact of the company's network transformation, di Marzio said,

"Cisco SD-WAN provides internet connectivity without any limitations. And instead of looking at every log for two thousand routers, we have a single dashboard to manage the network and a centralized platform for orchestrating configurations across all Nestle sites."

This centralized approach has empowered Nestle to streamline its operations, optimize costs, and deliver a seamless digital experience to its global workforce and customers.

A blueprint for modern enterprises

Nestle's network transformation serves as a blueprint for other enterprises grappling with the limitations of legacy systems. The company's decision to embrace Cisco SD-WAN demonstrates how modern technologies can simplify network management, reduce costs, and enhance performance-all while ensuring security and compliance.

For organizations looking to future-proof their network infrastructure, Nestle's journey underscores the importance of embracing innovation and partnering with trusted technology providers like Cisco. By doing so, businesses can unlock the full potential of their network and thrive in an increasingly digital and interconnected world.

Ultimately, Nestle's story is about more than just technology-it's about aligning IT strategy with business goals to achieve operational excellence. Nestle's success is a testament to the power of innovation and a forward-looking vision for operational excellence.

Watch the on-demand webinar now