Case Study: gategroup achieves 10x bandwidth, cost savings and a secure, flexible global Azure-ready network with Open Systems

gategroup - Customer Case Study

gategroup, the leading independent global provider of airline catering and onboard services with 165 facilities in 33 countries, faced a critical challenge: ensure 24x7 availability of business‑critical applications (SAP, order/stock systems) and dramatically increase bandwidth, flexibility and cloud connectivity while consolidating data centers and moving to Microsoft Azure. Traditional MPLS providers resisted their multi‑provider, internet‑based approach, so gategroup engaged Open Systems to test and modernize their global WAN using business‑grade internet, a multi‑provider strategy and centralized management tools.

Open Systems implemented a multi‑provider, internet‑based WAN with secure local internet breakouts, migrated applications and data centers to Azure, and introduced centralized visibility and control through Mission Control Portal. After a 32‑site pilot, gategroup rolled out the solution to 100+ locations in 2015, achieving roughly a 10x increase in bandwidth, cost savings, much faster site provisioning (weeks instead of months), improved security and the ability to run global video conferencing and prioritize business‑critical apps — all while maintaining a trusted operational partnership with Open Systems.

gategroup

Garth Gray

Vice President Global IT Infrastructure