City of Watchmakers Keeps Ticking with Next-Gen Network

Andreas Hurst (@andreashurst) Head of IT at City of Pforzheim, Germany, knows about the long history of precision watchmaking in the community of 130,000. He also knows a lot about keeping the city-run network ticking along, connecting and supporting 8,000 different devices spread across 2,400 people--including 700 mobile devices and 1,000 printers over 140 different buildings and 40 schools. While the network performs well, what the IT team really needs is visibility and control over all those devices.

By moving from a traditional network architecture to a software-define network fabric, Hurst aims to gain more insight into every device that connects to the city-wide network with granular control over device security privileges. Implementing Cisco DNA Center, Identity Services Engine (ISE) and Software-Defined Access, the IT team now has the ability to analyze, manage, control, and automate network access from a single pane of glass. The new capabilities make it easier for device owners as well, since their security privileges automatically follow them around the wireless network, from building to building. The evolution to a Digital Network Architecture will also require fewer resources to manage the expansive network, freeing up talent for more beneficial projects.

"We went from almost no visibility across our network to suddenly being able to see everything and manage it all from a single point of access. This is one of the most important aspects for our network: We can analyze, manage, control, and automate all from a simple screen." - Andreas Hurst

 For more details, view an interview video with Hurst and learn about the city's digital transformation. A full article on the project can be read here.