Customer Solution

Case Study

Aruba Networks “cuts the cord” by moving to an all wireless

Skype for Business unified communications platform

”Adopting full Skype for Business UCC capabilities over an enterprise

Aruba 802.11ac WLAN enabled us to cut the cord at the desk, resulting in
a savings of about $2 million in capital and operating expenses.”
James Nelson, Director of IT Infrastructure & Information Security, Aruba Networks

Aruba Networks’ aging PBX system was expensive

Overview
Country or Region: United States, Global
Industry: Wireless Networking Vendor
Customer Profile
Aruba Networks, Inc. is an industry leading networking vendor selling
enterprise wireless LAN and edge access networking equipment.
Business Situation
The aging PBX system was expensive to license, painful to troubleshoot,
and required additional fee-based conferencing services.
Solution
Adopted full Skype® for Business UCC capabilities over an enterprise
Aruba 802.11ac WLAN.
Benefits
 Huge Savings: A savings of about $2 million in capital and operating
expenses.
 Enhanced Company Collaboration: Supports #GenMobile
workforce with a complete unified communications tool set
allowing them to each work in the manner that is most efficient
and effective for them.
 Simplified Management: Aruba AirWave™ dashboard integration with
the Skype for Business SDN Interface provides traffic visibility and
automated QoS.
to license, painful to troubleshoot, and required
additional expensive conferencing services to
complete the communications package. With
contract renewal coming up, and a large
investment needed to update the system, the time
was right to consider other options. Based on the
company’s “Aruba-on-Aruba” initiative to use its
own networking equipment wherever possible, and
Aruba’s vast experience with Skype® for Business,
the decision was made to cut the cord and move
to an all wireless Skype for Business unified
communications and collaboration (UCC) platform.
The new, simpler to manage UCC platform
enhanced company collaboration by providing a
complete, easily-tailored communications and
collaboration tool set. The company’s #GenMobile
workforce can each leverage the UCC features in a
manner that is most efficient and effective for them.

Eliminating wired IP phones and related

infrastructure by moving to an Aruba 802.11ac
Lync Server is now Skype for wireless network and Skype for Business UCC
Business Server platform saved $2 million dollars over a four year
period in capital and operational expenses. That’s
a savings of roughly $700 per user.
Situation
Aruba Networks is a leading provider of next-generation network
access solutions for the mobile enterprise. Based in Sunnyvale,
California, Aruba has operations throughout the Americas, Europe,
Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific regions. With roughly 1,700
employees globally they require a comprehensive global
communications package to successfully collaborate with each
other, partners, and customers.
The aging telephony system Aruba purchased as a small company
was at its end of life and was determined by James Nelson, Director
of Information Security, to soon become a bottleneck to company
growth. While investigating the cost of a PBX upgrade, Aruba also
evaluated the wholesale adoption of a unified communications and
collaboration (UCC) solution. They assessed the pros and cons of
both a wired UCC phone network and cutting the cord with an all
wireless option.
“Our strong partnership with Microsoft
encompasses joint engineering work, go to
market activities, and supporting Microsoft as a
long-term Aruba Wi-Fi customer. We have been
promoting Skype for Business to our customers
for years, so when the time for a UCC upgrade at
our own campus Skype for Business was clearly
the path forward. The significant capital and
operating savings we achieved were consistent
with those reported by our customers.”
Kevin Canty, VP of Operations, Aruba Networks
James and his team validated the business case for cutting the cord
rather than investing millions in capital and operations expenses in
a new PBX and additional switches. Wireless mobility enhances
productivity and does away with expensive IP phone hardware and
operating costs. Aruba’s wireless customers are now routinely
cutting the cord and doing away with wired phones, and Aruba IT
reconfirmed that it made good business sense for Aruba, too.
Aruba IT’s goals for the network upgrade included:
 Eliminate the Aging PBX System: Reduce associated
capital and operational expenses and minimize additional
conferencing services.
 Switch to a Modern UCC Platform: Enhance employee
collaboration using a familiar toolset that they were
already promoting to Aruba’s customers.
 Go All Wireless: Support the UCC platform using Aruba’s
own 802.11AC Wi-Fi products exclusively.
 Leverage Existing Conferencing Room Investments:
Enhanced the presentation technologies already in place
by adding Skype for Business’s simplified scheduling and
management, supplemented by superior presentation
tools for enhanced sharing and collaboration.
 Support #GenMobile Employee Work Style: #GenMobile
is today’s generation of tech-savvy users who rely on their
mobile devices for every aspect of work and personal
communication.
Solution
Aruba’s relationship with Microsoft encompasses a collaborative
technology partnership with Skype for Business, as well as a vendor-
customer partnership for each company’s respective products.
Aruba IT has also obtained numerous Microsoft certifications.
The technical partnership started with Microsoft® Office
Communications Server (OCS) and Microsoft Lync® Server, now
known as Skype for Business, and has expanded to include
telephony, video conferencing, UCC collaboration, client devices,
and performance analytics.
So the decision was made:
Skype for Business + Aruba Wi-Fi = BIG ROI
Planning
The Aruba IT team and integration partner Modality Systems
conducted a comprehensive infrastructure evaluation using the
VisualRF RF mapping capabilities in Aruba’s AirWave Management
Suite to create detailed and granular views of existing equipment.
The comprehensive mapping project helped ensure that Aruba’s
infrastructure was implemented according to Skype for Business
best practices to optimize the #GenMobile workforce experience.
This evaluation and mapping were used to define a best of breed
deployment plan.
Deployment
The Aruba Wi-Fi and Skype for Business infrastructure were
deployed, piloted, and rolled out over the course of just 3 months.
All Wireless Aruba 802.11ac Infrastructure
As a result of the site evaluation, the team deployed supplemental
Aruba 802.11ac-enabled access points to ensure thorough Wi-Fi
coverage everywhere on and off campus. Also, Aruba’s Wi-Fi
Mobility Controllers were updated to the latest models with the most
current operating system.
Skype for Business Deployment
Aruba chose an on-site Microsoft Lync Server 2013 solution, now
known as Skype for Business Server. They connected the Skype for
Business Server Front End pool directly to Aruba Mobility Controllers
that manage the Wi-Fi access points and support Skype for Business
clients as depicted in Figure 1.
Skype for Business
SDN Interface
Mobility
Controller
Mobile Mobile
Client
Client
Aruba AP
Figure 1: All-Wireless Skype for Business Overview
Leveraging the Skype for Business SDN Interface
The Skype for Business SDN Interface was implemented to enhance
UCC traffic visibility to the network, accessing diagnostic data, and
implementing UCC QoS.
Management
The AirWave UCC dashboard mashes up UCC and network status
to help Wi-Fi administrators assess system status, optimize
performance, and diagnose call quality issues. The net result is a
better overall Skype for Business user experience.
The Skype for Business SDN Interface enables the Wi-Fi Mobility
Controller to tag Skype for Business-related traffic and apply the
appropriate QoS priority. ArubaOS™ complements this feature by
using full application deep packet inspection to enable systems
administrators to streamline traffic flow.
Aruba has a BYOD culture and a vendor-agnostic corporate device
policy. Most of those devices do not correctly tag Skype for Business
traffic. The Skype for Business SDN Interface overcomes this
limitation by enabling Aruba’s Wi-Fi infrastructure to tag UCC traffic,
provide granular application visibility, and assign proper QoS. The
result is predictable, high-quality voice and video calls, and better
user experiences.
Pilot
Aruba initiated an early adopter pilot program to test the new
system across a wide range of scenarios with business users and IT
personnel before a broad rollout.
Rollout
Given the scope of the initiative, Nelson’s deployment team divided
the “all wireless” workplace project into two primary phases. The first
phase rolled out Skype for Business Server to Aruba’s multi-story
Sunnyvale, Calif., headquarters facility and two nearby locations.
Converting distant offices in the United States and abroad
comprised the second phase of the project.
Maximizing User Adoption
As infrastructure and integration tasks proceeded, the team also
launched an extensive marketing and training effort to teach
employees how to maximize the new “all wireless” workplace
experience. Skype for Business professional services representatives
gave one hour on-site presentations, and Aruba produced posters,
flyers, and emails to promote the rollout. As a result there was an
immediate and steadily growing increase in usage beyond basic
voice calls post launch.
“The Aruba operating system includes a UCC
dashboard, among other capabilities, that helps
deliver the required QoS and accelerates call
troubleshooting. Integrating the Skype for
Business SDN Interface with the Aruba UCC
dashboard enables us to provide high quality
VoIP over a wireless network.”
Kenneth Chan, Senior Director of IT, Aruba Networks
Cutting the Cord
Once employees were accustomed to using Skype for Business, all
that remained was to remove the old PBX system. Decommissioning
the wired telephony system proved surprisingly uneventful, and
after a few weeks IT began permanently removing the old wiring
infrastructure.
Lessons Learned
The Aruba-on-Aruba deployment goals included documenting the
process so it could be replicated by Aruba customers. In the process,
many lessons were learned. For example, as a wireless company,
many engineers had an access point (AP) on their desks to assist
with testing. Those APs were moved to test labs to avoid
unnecessary RF interference.
These insights have been documented in Skype for Business
deployment plans and a set of best practices documents. Example
key insights that everyone should follow in deploying an all wireless
UCC environment follow below.
“Going all wireless made the deployment
relatively quick and easy compared to either
updating the PBX or the wired UC phone
network. We evaluated and updated our wireless
network, deployed Skype for Business, and
piloted and rolled out our solution in just three
months.”
James Nelson, Director of IT Infrastructure & Information Security,
Aruba Networks
Wireless Infrastructure:
 Best Practices for Reliable, and Smart Services:
Install additional 802.11ac APs to improve coverage and
capacity. Enable integrated intelligent services in Aruba
controllers, AirWave, and ClearPass to provide simple,
secure, stable, and smart IT services for a better user
experience.
 RF Design: Create or upgrade the existing RF design
based on actual building dynamics and actual wireless
performance and coverage.
 External Interference: Check for rogue APs and
sources of RF interference.
Devices:
 Access Points: It is critical to use Skype for Business
certified Wi-Fi access points that support at least 10
calls per access point to ensure proper tagging of traffic
and the best possible user experience.
 End Points: It is critical to use Skype for Business
certified headsets for glitch-free voice.
For a list of Skype for Business certified devices please visit
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=533739
Benefits
As expected, the rewards from moving to an all wireless Skype for
Business platform were abundant. Beyond achieving the anticipated
ROI, administration of the UCC system is more efficient and
effective. Rather than hiring dedicated PBX specialists, IT systems
administrators manage Skype for Business. This gives Aruba greater
flexibility with a global team capable of working on both Skype for
Business and other critical IT projects.
Skype for Business is available to every Aruba employee, including
those on campus and working remotely through Aruba’s secure
teleworker solution. Everyone in the company, regardless of
location, has access to the same services and productivity tools.
Streamlined Management and
Troubleshooting
By cutting the cord, and eliminating the PBX, two significant layers
of management and troubleshooting were removed from the
communications platform. The all wireless platform is now primarily
managed via network management tools, greatly reducing IT
overhead.
Systems and network administrators particularly appreciate the UCC
dashboard, which enables a variety of tasks ranging from tweaking
the QoS of individual calls to differentiating Skype for Business from
network issues when troubleshooting. The dashboard provides
systems professionals and networking professionals with an effective
means of managing the communications platform.
Soon after Aruba’s rollout, several mobile users reported dropped
calls, but the issue appeared random. Historical data from AirWave’s
UCC dashboard showed that all of the problematic calls originated
from one common AP. Upon investigation it was discovered that the
AP had been damaged during installation. The AirWave dashboard
made quick work of what otherwise would have been a thorny
troubleshooting issue.
400 Percent Cost Savings per User by Going
All Wireless
Going all wireless vs. the traditional wired UC phone network saved
Aruba an additional 400 percent per user. The wired method cost
an additional $349 for a voice and data desk port and another $125
for a converged gigabit IP phone. While gigabit Wi-Fi AP costs
remained constant, extra expenditures for building out shared areas
and future capacity totaled $349 per user for a wired option verses
$105 per user for an all wireless solution. Adding it all up, the per
user wired option was $897 verses $197 for wireless. With 1700
employees, $700 savings per user totaled an additional one million
dollars, not including future savings from simpler adds, moves, and
changes Wi-Fi enables as Aruba grows.
Saved $2 Million on Capital and Operating
Expenses
From a cost perspective, Aruba was able to save $2 million in capital
and operating expenses over a four year period. Aruba was able to
avoid over $1.5 million in third-party conferencing services that
would have been required if they continued on with a PBX solution.
And Aruba saved over $500,000 in planned PBX upgrades,
maintenance fees, and staff resourcing to support their 24/7
telephony requirements. By deploying Skype for Business over their “We were able to avoid over $1.5 million in third-
wireless infrastructure, Aruba eliminated wires to the desktop and
the associated capital and operating cost of the associated closet party conferencing services alone. We also saved
switching infrastructure. Over the long term, this reflects a significant over $500,000 in planned PBX upgrades,
ongoing savings on wired networking costs as Aruba adds
employees worldwide.
maintenance fees, and staff resourcing to
support our 24/7 telephony requirements.
Support for #GenMobile Workforce Deploying Skype for Business over our wireless
By moving to an all wireless Skype for Business UCC platform, Aruba infrastructure also eliminated wires at the
not only reduced costs but equally importantly provided better desktop.”
productivity tools for their #GenMobile workforce. For example,
Skype for Business federation capabilities enable Aruba employees
to participate in Skype for Business conferences with external Skype James Nelson, Director of IT Infrastructure & Information
for Business callers, a must have in the #GenMobile age. Security, Aruba Networks

Skype for Business’s mobile platform capability enables Aruba

employees to leverage all UCC services from the mobile device of
their choosing. Moving to an all wireless Skype for Business UCC
platform was key to enabling Aruba’s employees to work in the
location and manner most efficient and effective for them.

Leveraged Existing Conference Room

Investment
Aruba was able to leverage their existing conference room
investments, and in key spaces augment functionality with Skype for
Business meeting room solutions. This platform enhanced the
technologies already in place by adding Skype for Business’s
simplified scheduling and management, as well as superior
presentation tools for enhanced sharing and collaboration.
 Skype for Business
Skype for Business is a unified communications and collaboration
platform that brings together the familiar experience and user love
of Skype with the security, compliance, and control that you’ve come
to expect from Microsoft.

“By moving to a full Skype for Business UCC Our ambition is simple: to create the most loved and trusted
platform, we reduced costs while providing more communications platform for doing things together.

appropriate tools for our #GenMobile workforce.
#GenMobile is today’s generation of tech-savvy
users who rely on their mobile devices for every
aspect of work and personal communication.”
James Nelson, Director of IT Infrastructure & Information
Security, Aruba Networks
For more information about Skype for Business, go to:
http://www.skype.com/en/business/
Aruba Networks, Inc.
Aruba Networks (NASDAQ:ARUN) is a leading provider of next-
generation network access solutions for the mobile enterprise. The
company designs and delivers Mobility-Defined Networks that
empower IT departments and #GenMobile, a new generation of
tech-savvy users who rely on their mobile devices for every aspect
of work and personal communication. To create a mobility
experience that #GenMobile and IT can rely upon, Aruba Mobility-
Defined Networks™ automate infrastructure-wide performance
optimization and trigger security actions that used to require
manual IT intervention. The results are dramatically improved
productivity and lower operational costs.

For more information about Aruba Networks, go to:

http://www.arubanetworks.com/

Software and Services Hardware Partners

 Skype for Business  Sonus SBC2000s  Modality Systems
 Microsoft Lync 2013  Sonus SBC1000s  Sonus
 Microsoft Exchange Server 2013  Aruba Wireless infrastructure  Polycom
 Microsoft Office 2013  Headsets:
o Plantronics Blackwire 510-M Third Party Software
o Plantronics Blackwire 520-M
 EventZero Dossier for Lync
o Plantronics Voyager Legend UC
o Jabra Speak 510 MS
 Polycom Lync room systems

© 2015 Microsoft.. Aruba Networks’ trademarks include Aruba Networks®, Aruba The Mobile Edge Company® (stylized), Aruba Mobility-Defined Networks™, Aruba Mobility
Management System®, People Move Networks Must Follow®, Mobile Edge Architecture®, RFProtect®, Green Island®, ETips®, ClientMatchTM, Virtual Intranet AccessTM, ClearPass
Access Management SystemsTM, Aruba InstantTM, ArubaOSTM, xSecTM, ServiceEdgeTM, Aruba ClearPass Access Management SystemTM, AirmeshTM, AirWaveTM, Aruba CentralTM,
and “ARUBA@WORKTM. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

This case study is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY. Document published May 2015.