The problem
Each branch had grown its own network over the years: different switch and access-point models, hand-made configurations, and no single place to see what was going on. When a branch had a problem, it meant a remote session or a trip to the site.
The approach
- Audited every branch (devices, cabling, ISP links, VLANs) and designed one standard topology for all of them.
- Rolled out Meraki switches, access points and MX appliances branch by branch. Configuration was prepared in the Meraki dashboard beforehand, so each site could be cut over in one short maintenance window.
- Standardised VLAN segmentation and the site-to-site VPN back to head office.
- Documented the design so new branches follow the same template.
The result
Every branch now runs the same design and can be monitored and managed from a single dashboard. A branch problem that used to take about a day to resolve is now handled in roughly an hour, and most of them without a trip to the site.