Case Study: Global WAN Hardware Deployment & Managed Services for a Leading Aerospace & Defense Company

Client Overview

A major U.S.-based aerospace and defense company—formed through the merger of two long-established industry leaders—provides advanced systems and services to commercial, military, and government customers worldwide. With a global footprint and a mission-critical operational environment, the organization requires a highly resilient, standardized, and scalable corporate IT network.

The Challenge

The client needed a partner capable of supporting a large-scale, multi-division network modernization initiative. Key requirements included rapid procurement, consistent global deployment, lifecycle asset management, and ongoing field support across hundreds of domestic and international locations. Additionally, the organization needed a single operational framework to coordinate vendors, streamline installations, and ensure readiness across diverse business units.

Acuative’s Solution

Acuative delivered a comprehensive, fully managed global WAN hardware and services program tailored to the customer’s scale and complexity:

  • Dedicated Customer & Project Management Team ensuring consistent communication and execution.

  • Cisco and Fortinet WAN hardware sourced for the customer’s global corporate IT network.

  • 24-hour turnaround for product and services quotes to accelerate procurement cycles.

  • Standardized product and services catalog curated and maintained by Acuative.

  • Global staging, configuration, and delivery of fully pre-configured WAN hardware.

  • Asset management for all client-owned inventory, improving lifecycle visibility and control.

  • Worldwide onsite break/fix maintenance to minimize downtime and sustain network performance.

  • Vendor management of WAN service delivery partners to ensure timely global circuit delivery.

  • Direct business unit coordination to confirm site readiness before onsite installation, testing, and turn-up.

  • Installation scheduling and orchestration aligned with service delivery and business unit requirements.

Customer Impact & Results

Acuative’s fully managed program enabled significant improvements across several divisions:

  • Corporate Remote Site Refresh (Cisco):
    Completed upgrades at 150 U.S. sites and 62 international sites, standardizing hardware and performance globally.

  • Aerospace Electronics Division:
    Executed a full network refresh and supported consolidation of two acquisitions into the organization’s global WAN.

  • Missile Systems Division:
    Streamlined acquisition and deployment of Cisco routers, switches, and SmartNet maintenance to support mission-critical operations.

Executive Perspective

“This engagement demonstrates the value of a true end-to-end services partner. By combining rapid procurement, global deployment, and expert lifecycle management, we helped the customer modernize their network with speed, precision, and long-term reliability.”
— Chad Mead, Chief Technology Officer, Acuative