How Laketec and Aruba NaaS Simplify Network Management for Businesses
In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, businesses of all sizes are under pressure to adopt agile and scalable IT solutions that can keep up with the demand for constant connectivity and flexibility. One of the most transformative innovations in this space is Network as a Service (NaaS)—a cloud-based subscription model that allows organizations to access and manage networking infrastructure without the hefty up-front investments traditionally associated with IT.
Laketec, in partnership with Aruba and HPE GreenLake, offers tailored NaaS solutions designed to help businesses move beyond the limitations of on-premise hardware and into a more dynamic, scalable, and cost-efficient IT environment. In this article, we explore the key takeaways from Laketec’s recent video discussion on Aruba NaaS, featuring insights from Kelley Monasterio, Director of Sales at Laketec, Anne McClelland, President at AMM Services, and Keith Blain, Program Manager at Laketec.
What is Network as a Service (NaaS)?
At its core, Network as a Service (NaaS) is a subscription-based solution that delivers networking services via the cloud. Instead of purchasing, installing, and maintaining expensive networking hardware, businesses can pay for networking capabilities on a flexible, usage-based model.
This shift from a traditional Capital Expenditure (CapEx) model to an Operating Expenditure (OpEx) model allows organizations to avoid large up-front investments. As Anne McClelland notes, “We’ve really seen the growth of companies like Salesforce, Zoom, and DocuSign—software as a service solutions that have become de facto standards in their industries.” Just like with these software services, NaaS enables businesses to access the latest networking technologies without having to constantly refresh hardware.
In this evolving landscape, companies that embrace NaaS can focus more on innovation and less on managing their infrastructure. The benefits of this shift are particularly pronounced in industries such as higher education, local government, and retail.
The Evolution of ‘As a Service’ Models
The move toward cloud-based, subscription-driven models isn’t new. We’ve already seen it across numerous industries, from consumer services like Amazon to enterprise solutions like Salesforce. Anne explains how consumers have long been comfortable with the ‘as a service’ model through services like streaming music or using cloud-based apps. However, businesses—especially those operating in more traditional, hardware-dependent sectors—have found the transition to be more challenging.
Anne elaborates on this: “For businesses, moving from a CapEx on-premise model to as a service is harder to do, especially when you’re dealing with business-to-business scenarios where you need to get your customers comfortable with that migration.” Nevertheless, the shift is happening, driven by the demand for flexibility, agility, and operational efficiency.
Financial Benefits of NaaS
One of the primary reasons businesses are moving to NaaS is the financial flexibility it provides. By converting a large capital expense into a predictable monthly operating cost, organizations can better manage their budgets while staying current with the latest technology.
For example, Anne highlights how institutions like higher education benefit from this model: “Having that large capital budget item is often a target for cuts, especially when there’s belt-tightening going on. But moving to as a service spreads the cost across an annual operating expense that is much more predictable and doesn’t get slashed as easily.”
This predictability makes it easier for organizations to plan for the future. Instead of worrying about when to replace aging equipment, they can simply adjust their monthly subscription to include the latest upgrades.
Industry-Specific Use Cases for NaaS
NaaS is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Different industries face unique challenges that NaaS can help address. In the video, Kelley, Anne, and Keith discuss several real-world use cases where NaaS has had a transformative impact:
Higher Education
Grove City College, a well-known institution, successfully leveraged HPE GreenLake’s NaaS solution to modernize its network infrastructure. As Dr. Vince Desi, CIO at Grove City College, puts it, “We wanted a more consistent and reliable financial model, not the huge valleys and boulders that occur when you have a CapEx model. HPE GreenLake NaaS gives us agility, and our CFO loves it because it’s predictable.”
This predictability allows the institution to keep their technology footprint up to date without incurring large, disruptive costs.
Public Sector
In local government, the need for reliable, up-to-date technology is critical for providing essential services. For Yuma County, Arizona, NaaS provided the flexibility to modernize without the financial burden of large one-time investments. “Yuma County loved the predictability of the payments,” Anne explains, “because they knew exactly what they were going to pay without having to build out huge life cycle replacements.”
This shift from CapEx to OpEx also helps public sector organizations manage public perception better, as it eliminates the need for large, unpredictable spending spikes.
Retail
The retail sector, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighted the importance of a reliable network to support e-commerce and inventory management. Home Depot, for example, uses HPE GreenLake NaaS to manage inventory in real-time. Anne remarks, “They’re leveraging the opportunity to know where the inventory is, manage inventory levels, and see goods moving around both the distribution centers and the stores.”
NaaS enables retailers to maintain smooth operations, even during disruptions, by ensuring that their infrastructure can adapt to changing demands.
Challenges in Adopting NaaS and Overcoming Resistance
Despite the clear benefits, there is often resistance to adopting NaaS, particularly from legacy companies that have relied on traditional models for decades. Keith Blain emphasizes that many companies struggle with the mindset of “we’ve always done it this way,” making it difficult to convince them to make the switch to NaaS.
However, Laketec’s approach to this challenge is rooted in education. As Keith explains, “It really comes down to education and consulting upfront—getting that CIO and CFO together into the room to understand the impact and the rapid adoption of these technologies.” By bringing together the technical and financial decision-makers, Laketec helps businesses see the long-term value of NaaS.
Laketec’s Tailored NaaS Solutions
At Laketec, NaaS is not a one-size-fits-all solution. The company offers customized services tailored to the unique needs of each client. Keith notes, “Every one of these programs is tailored to our clients. We sit down, we fully understand how much or how little they might want us to support their networks, and we go from there.”
Laketec’s managed service offerings, combined with HPE GreenLake and Aruba’s networking components, provide comprehensive support. From consultation to ongoing management, Laketec ensures that businesses get the most out of their NaaS investment.
Conclusion: Is NaaS Right for Your Business?
Network as a Service (NaaS) offers businesses the flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency they need to thrive in today’s digital age. Whether you’re in higher education, retail, or government, NaaS can help your organization stay ahead of the curve by providing predictable costs and seamless technology upgrades.
As Kelley Monasterio concludes in the video, “Every company is a technology company now, no matter what industry you’re in.” If you’re ready to explore how NaaS can transform your IT infrastructure, contact Laketec for a personalized consultation.
Ready to streamline your IT operations with NaaS? Contact Laketec today to learn how our tailored NaaS solutions can support your business.