The Sto Group

Key stats

• Achieved global standards in all 200 locations

We saw the dashboard: click, easy. We saw the Auto VPN: click, easy.

Axel Rueckert, Systems Engineer, Sto Group

Overview

“A building that is built the right way is built to last—with the right partner, the right materials, and with the future in mind.” —The Sto Group

The Sto Group is a leading international manufacturer of products and systems for exterior and interior walls, ceilings, and industrial floor surfaces, and prides itself on “building with a conscience.” As a global leader in sustainable designs for living spaces, Sto is truly an innovator in the space, making a name for itself with cement-free plaster and render finishes.

Challenge

The Sto Group faced a significant challenge in managing their network infrastructure across their nearly 200 worldwide sites. With a lean IT team consisting of only three members, they were tasked with the responsibility of overseeing Wi-Fi, LAN, and global WAN for the entire company. However, the existing networking equipment, sourced from various vendors, resulted in a disjointed infrastructure that required frequent travel for network device management.

Sto’s IT team recognized the need for standardization to harmonize their IT infrastructure. They sought a solution that would provide not only security but also visibility and ease of management. With the goal of reducing costs, minimizing downtime, and improving network functionality, Sto was determined to find a partner that could offer an integrated and streamlined approach to their network management needs.

Solution

To tackle Sto’s network infrastructure challenges, the decision to partner with Cisco Meraki brought forth a comprehensive and technologically advanced solution. By deploying a range of Meraki MX security and SD-WAN appliances, MR access points, and MS switches, Sto gained a unified and robust network management platform that exceeded their expectations.

With a centralized cloud-based management interface, Sto’s IT team gained invaluable visibility into network traffic, enabling them to swiftly identify and respond to potential security threats. The Meraki MX security and SD-WAN appliances facilitated secure remote access, allowing employees and authorized stakeholders to connect to the network securely from anywhere in the world.

“We saw the dashboard: click, easy. We saw the Auto VPN: click, easy.” —Axel Rueckert, Systems Engineer, The Sto Group

To enhance Wi-Fi connectivity and performance, Sto leveraged Meraki MR access points. These access points delivered seamless and reliable wireless connectivity across all company sites, providing employees and visitors with fast and secure Wi-Fi access. The cloud-based management platform allowed Sto’s IT team to effortlessly configure, monitor, and troubleshoot the Wi-Fi network, while real-time insights into user behavior and network performance empowered Sto to optimize their Wi-Fi infrastructure for maximum efficiency.

The Meraki MS switches offer plug-and-play functionality, simplifying the provision process, and the ease of firmware updates allows Sto to save vital time manually updating. Sto’s IT team gained granular control over the LAN, allowing them to prioritize network traffic, segment the network for enhanced security, and quickly (and remotely) resolve connectivity issues.

Results

By embracing Meraki technology, the Sto Group was able to achieve cost savings, reducing expenses by 17,000 euros per month—in only one subsidiary! The cloud-managed nature of the Meraki platform also eliminated the need for on-site network management, resulting in significant reductions in travel time and expenses. This streamlined approach to network management not only brought cost efficiencies but also allowed Sto’s IT team to focus on core objectives, improving overall productivity and operational efficiency, and allowing them to continue to provide outstanding, experience-driven building solutions for their customers.