Multi-Billion Dollar Technology Integrator Upgrades to 802.11ac and ClearPass Policy Management System to Support 70 Sites
Aruba Networks, an HP company (NYSE:HPQ), today announced that Science
Applications International Corp. (NYSE: SAIC), a leading technology
integrator with nearly $4.4 billion in annual revenues, is upgrading to
Aruba Networks’ 802.11ac,
ClearPass
Policy Management and AirWave
solutions for a company-wide network overhaul. SAIC provides full life
cycle services and solutions in the technical, engineering, and
enterprise information technology market to customers in the U.S.
federal government.
With approximately 15,000 employees and 70 U.S.-based locations, SAIC is
in the midst of deploying its “Next-Generation Architecture,” a
renovation of the company’s entire infrastructure from the foundation
up. The network improvements include a transition to 802.11ac,
deployment of Aruba’s ClearPass solution to enable Network Access
Control (NAC) for both wired and wireless networking, and the addition
of Skype for Business (formerly Microsoft Lync) for voice, video and
meeting capabilities.
“The network upgrade helps ensure that SAIC’s employees – working from
multiple locations and using a variety of wireless endpoints and mobile
devices – have reliable and secure connectivity for optimum productivity
throughout their work day,” said Barbara Shurtleff, VP of Network and
Security Solutions for SAIC.
As part of the new architecture, SAIC is providing ubiquitous Wi-Fi
coverage to all locations and provides upgrades to sites that had only
partial coverage while upgrading the entire organization to 802.11ac.
The new Gigabit Wi-Fi infrastructure includes approximately 2,000 Aruba
802.11ac APs deployed across SAIC’s enterprise.
The primary driver for the network upgrade is to ensure that SAIC
employees and guests can easily and securely access the network
resources, while making the experience as seamless as possible. SAIC
turned to Aruba’s ClearPass Policy Manager to support an integrated
approach that supports corporate owned devices, Bring Your Own Device
(BYOD) as well as guest access needs via a single management solution.
Unique device certificates allow authorized employees using personal
devices to directly connect to the corporate network, without requiring
them to re-enter login credentials each time they connect.
“The new network currently supports about 40,000 endpoints, but is
capable of supporting up to 100,000 in the future,” said Shurtleff.
“With a mix of corporate-issued and personal devices coming onto the
network, ClearPass is critical to protecting our network security while
giving users the freedom to connect when and where they like.”
SAIC also deploys a remote access solution for employees who work from
home offices or travel frequently. Using 1,000 Aruba
Remote Access Points (RAPs), SAIC provides a highly secure
connection from any location, just as if the employee was in the
corporate office, without the cumbersome process of establishing a soft
VPN connection for each and every device. Coupled with Aruba AirWave
technology SAIC is executing a fully integrated network management
capability.
“AirWave is a very robust tool and provides broad visibility into our
entire network. While we have a technology staff of more than 300, less
than 15 percent are devoted to wireless support. Using AirWave allows
the much smaller team to successfully monitor, troubleshoot and execute
problem resolution,” said Shurtleff.
The Aruba network is also key to SAIC’s successful deployment of Skype
for Business, which the company is using for voice, video and meeting
capabilities across the organization. Said Shurtleff, “The goal, similar
to other Enterprise Business applications, is to significantly reduce or
possibly phase out desktop phones eventually. In the future we envision
a time when all employees will use Skype for Business app across their
devices.” SAIC will benefit from Aruba’s unique integration with the
Skype for Business SDN API which enables QoS for quality voice
transmission control and uninterrupted service as well as visualization
of call performance.
SAIC’s recent acquisition of Scitor Corporation allowed the organization
to rapidly support them with wireless and wired network management. The
Aruba infrastructure is now deployed in 11 Scitor locations, in addition
to SAIC’s 70 sites. With the increased number of employees joining
through the acquisition and a continual desire to give these employees
the tools to do their jobs efficiently wherever they are located, SAIC
views the revamped next-generation architecture as business-critical.
“We’re striving to be exceptionally innovative and collaborative with a
specific focus on ease of use – it’s all about simplicity and security,”
said Shurtleff. “By providing a solid wired and wireless network
foundation for our Next-Generation Architecture, the Aruba
infrastructure is a key component in helping us reach our goals.”
About Aruba Networks, an HP company
Aruba Networks, an HP company, is a leading provider of next-generation
networking solutions for enterprises of all sizes worldwide. The company
delivers IT solutions that empower organizations to serve the latest
generation of mobile-savvy users who rely on cloud-based business apps
for every aspect of their work and personal lives.
To learn more, visit Aruba at http://www.arubanetworks.com.
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© 2015 Aruba Networks, Inc. Aruba Networks’ trademarks include Aruba
Networks®, Aruba The Mobile Edge Company® (stylized), Aruba
Mobility-Defined Networks™, Aruba Mobility Management System®, People
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SystemsTM, Aruba InstantTM,
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Management SystemTM, AirmeshTM,
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and ARUBA@WORKTM. All rights reserved. All
other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Aruba Networks, an HP company
Pavel Radda, +1 408-419-0294
Director of Corporate Communications
pradda@arubanetworks.com
OR
LSH Communications for Aruba Networks, an HP company
Lori Hultin, +1 818-879-4651
Principal
lhultin@arubanetworks.com