Ceridian Communications Backbone

Situation

Major human resource benefits and payroll provider with multiple offices and datacenters operated with a mix of network toplogies, network component vendors and telco carriers. Telco operating budget was $8 million per year with a network support staff of twelve. Network availability was poor and capability, with no VoIP or video content capability. Finally, the company's security posture was not optimal.

Solution

We started with an assessment of network topology, carrier contracts for services, skillset of personnel, facilities/offices, maintenance and capital plans for network elements. We then developed and implemented a plan for converting from frame relay to TCIP/IP.

• Converted customer connections from frame relay to Internet VPN. $1.2 million per year in savings.
• Allowed for in-sourcing of network operations center. $560,000 per year in savings.
• Developed RFI/RFP and submitted to carrier community. Created short list of 3 carriers from a listing of 8 carriers. Negotiated pricing, MAC and terms. $825,000 per year in savings.
• Implemented training and certification program for network administrators, rewrote job desciptions and conducted a recruiting effort to fill gaps.
• Documented network details and configuration into Sharepoint site. Wrote standards for Configuration Management and added network components into a Configuration Management Database (CMDB).

Results

Savings of $3 million per year and a reduction in the suppport staff to five administrators. Network availability attained 99.999% or Six Sigma. Also implemented services for VoIP and video broadcasts to the user community. Improved security posture to meet SAS70 and SOX compliance.