CUSTOMER STORY
Network Overhaul for Werqwise
Werqwise is a flexible workspace that creates innovative environments that embrace different business models, brands, and ways of working. They specializing in offering private offices, shared workspaces, and event spaces that focuses on what is important to their audience and empower them to thrive.
SOLUTION:
To gain a clearer understanding of the current office landscape, Network Right collaborated with Werqwise’s Technology team to understand the current pain points and lay of the land. This helped identify areas of improvement and explore potential upgrades, laying the groundwork for a more efficient and capable network that could support Werqwise’s ambitious vision for the future.
PROBLEM:
When Werqwise decided to partner with Network Right, they saw the opportunity to update and upgrade one of their workspaces that needed stronger networking solutions. The existing network infrastructure was not sufficient enough to support their growing membership, preventing them from maximizing the office’s capacity and having confidence in their network setup. Werqwise looked to Network Right to revamp their network, ensuring a seamless and secure experience for existing and future users.
Understand What Exists Today
Understanding the importance of having up-to-date documentation, the Network Right team took on the challenge of reverse-engineering the existing infrastructure. Unfortunately, due to the age of the equipment, no one was really user how the network was setup and its configuration. Network Right saw this as an opportunity to help Werqwise understand the lay of the land more in-depth and feel more confident in understanding what they have now, and where they could go with a new system. Part of the discovery phase included tracing existing cabling, Wi-Fi heat mapping, network configurations, and much more. Through this process, it enabled us to develop detailed and comprehensive networking documentation, which provided a dependable foundation for future operations.
Designing the Future
With the foundation set and needs identified, Network Right architected a new, resilient network leveraging Cisco Meraki equipment. The network consisted of two firewalls, core switches, switches, and wireless access points. The firewalls were to be set up for high-availability. This allowed Werqwise to have peace of mind knowing if one of their firewalls goes offline, the other firewall can seamlessly take over without any downtime. We applied similar functionality to the core switches as well. Additionally, we configured two internet service providers (ISPs) so that if one were to go offline, the other would take over.
Resiliency was the most important objective in this design to ensure those who visit Werqwise will never have to worry about downtime.
Implementing
Once Werqwise gave us the green light, we started to get to work. Werqwise needed to shut down for one weekend to ensure both teams could work in tandem to re-configure the entire network and its dependencies. We started with decommissioning the old network equipment and cutting old/unused data cabling. Afterwards, the Network Right team rack and stacked all the new equipment on each floor and began to connect everything. We would work right behind their team and ensure access points were mounted, conference rooms were connected, and the network was coming online across the entire space. Both Werqwise and Network Right worked from dawn to dusk through the weekend to ensure nothing was missed. Every printer, every conference room, every private office, every wifi access point was validated. It was critical that every customer of theirs was online and members had WiFi come Monday.
End Results:
The overhaul of Werqwise’s network infrastructure resulted in:
- Enhanced network reliability due to the active-passive firewall configuration.
- Improved performance from proper traffic shaping and routing.
- A fully documented and labeled network.
- Workspace that now supports more users effortlessly
- Peace of mind for the Werqwise Technology Team
“Network Right’s expertise ensured a seamless transition for both our members and staff. The experience was so smooth that partnering with them to build out new Werqwise locations in the Bay Area was an easy decision.“
– Cesia Portillo
Technical Operations Lead
CONCLUSION
The collaboration between Network Right and Werqwise has transformed the office’s network infrastructure into a more efficient and secure environment. By meticulously documenting existing systems, upgrading hardware, and implementing advanced security measures, they have set a solid foundation for Werqwise’s future growth. This proactive approach not only enhances operational efficiency but also ensures the protection of sensitive data, allowing Werqwise to confidently welcome users into their newly optimized workspace. Together, we have paved the way for a more innovative and secure working environment.
