Building a network ready for modern manufacturing

Connectivity is the lifeline for any type of company – but that doesn’t mean you need to overpay for it. 

Our customer, a global flooring manufacturer, was running on a traditional MPLS and local internet access network with combined local and central breakouts. It worked. But only to the point where capacity proved limited, diversity was inconsistent, and costs were high.

Flexibility was another issue. Quotes could take up to 4-6 weeks, and deliveries often stretched beyond 6 months. Upgrades were also difficult due to local capacity issues or  backhauling through the central MPLS architecture.

Meanwhile, the IT team was pushing toward more cloud-based operations and needed a network that could keep up.

The question became clear: How do you modernize connectivity across dozens of manufacturing sites without adding complexity or risk?

Why they chose GNX

The project came at a time when the customer was transitioning to SD-WAN. But the real decision came down to approach.

The customer has a highly capable internal networking team. They manage their own LAN, operate Cisco SD-WAN, and directly consume Microsoft cloud services. They didn't need a managed overlay or another complex platform. They needed a connectivity partner. GNX offered something different from traditional carriers:

• Deep knowledge of local internet access, best practices, and a fully transparent sourcing model using the best local providers
• Flexible, dedicated internet services instead of backhauled MPLS
• The ability to reach industrial and rural manufacturing sites
• A partner that was easy to work with and responsive

Most importantly, GNX could help deliver diversity and resilience without locking the customer into (another) rigid carrier infrastructure.

The GNX solution

Together with the customer’s network team, GNX redesigned the connectivity layer across its Continental European footprint.

Instead of relying on a centralized internet backbone, the new model focused on dedicated internet services at each site sourced from local fiber providers.

This matters. Because many of their facilities sit in suburban or rural locations, where the best connectivity often comes from regional fiber owners, not global carriers. GNX coordinated these providers, creating a unified and resilient network across countries.

The result was a network built for performance and redundancy:

• Around 70 connectivity services
• Across 40 manufacturing sites
• In 18 countries across Europe
• Fully diverse site access using local ISPs

While the customer maintained full control of its SD-WAN overlay, GNX focused on delivering the high-quality underlay connectivity needed to make it perform. What’s more, the rollout didn’t drag on for years. The entire deployment was completed in less than nine months. From quote to delivery.

The result

The transformation was immediate. Across all the customer’s manufacturing sites, the new network delivered:

• 10× increase in total site throughput
• Reduced connectivity costs by 20%
• Improved diversity and resilience
• Reliable access to cloud services

Plus, the biggest win: flexibility. Sites can now scale capacity when needed. Connectivity is no longer constrained by MPLS backhaul limitations. And the network is designed to support the company’s evolving cloud strategy.

Just as important, they gained a partner that understands enterprise networking realities. GNX works directly with the customer’s engineers – no more slow, rigid models. And sourcing across many local providers became manageable.

GNX. Straightorward connectivity.