Network Consolidation: Public Sector Technology

Challenge

The city’s IT environment was historically fragmented. While they relied on Fortinet for firewall security, their switching and Network Access Control (NAC) resided on Aruba platforms. This "multivendor" approach created a steep learning curve for a team already facing significant resource constraints.

The challenge was compounded by a looming transition: a long-standing IT leader was retiring. The city needed to modernize its infrastructure without forcing the remaining team to master multiple different operating systems or complex GUIs, while ensuring the network could safely support rapid growth as a State and Local Government hub.

Key objectives included:

• Consolidating Infrastructure: Moving away from a mixed Aruba/Fortinet environment to a unified "single pane of glass."

• Implementing NAC: Establishing robust Network Access Control for modern cybersecurity compliance.

• Streamlining Procurement: Avoiding the lengthy and restrictive public bid process that often prioritizes the lowest cost over technical expertise.

• Ensuring Continuity: Maintaining seamless operations during a leadership change.

Solution

VectorUSA was engaged to transition the city’s campus and edge environment to a full Fortinet Fabric solution. By extending the existing FortiGate environment into switching and NAC, VectorUSA provided a path to total network visibility under a single operating system: FortiOS.

Utilizing expertise in Data Networking, VectorUSA performed the high-level integration required to touch and maintain the existing legacy core during the migration.

As an Elite Partner Support Provider (EPSP), VectorUSA offered a level of technical depth that national fulfillment resellers could not match. VectorUSA was trusted with not just the hardware, but the high-level integration required to touch and maintain the existing legacy core during the migration.

Implementation Details: 

VectorUSA’s approach focused on reducing administrative friction and maximizing the value of the city's existing certifications.

Strategic Procurement & Contracts: 

VectorUSA leveraged California Cooperative Agreements (contract vehicles) to simplify the purchase. This allowed the city’s procurement team and city council to move forward with a trusted partner without the delays of a traditional bid, ensuring they received "best-in-class" service rather than just a "low-bid" box.

Network & NAC Deployment: 

The implementation focused on Fortinet switching for the edge and campus, integrated with FortiNAC. By moving to a unified fabric, the city’s IT team no longer had to learn a new language; the familiarity of the Fortinet GUI allowed them to manage the entire ecosystem with their existing knowledge base.

Local Expertise & Hand-off: 

Unlike national vendors, VectorUSA’s California office locations allowed for a boots-on-the-ground approach to support in Orange County. This local presence was critical during the retirement of the city's IT lead, as VectorUSA acted as an extension of the city’s staff to ensure all configurations, optics, and support protocols were successfully handed off to the remaining team.

Benefits

The migration to a unified Fortinet environment delivered immediate operational and strategic wins for the city. By right-sizing their environment, the city achieved faster throughput and increased internet speeds, directly improving the experience for municipal workers and auxiliary city partners.

The "single pane of glass" management reduced the burden on IT staff, allowing them to run more thorough reports and gain better visibility into their wireless and wired networks.

The city now has a scalable foundation for future Cybersecurity Services like ZTNA and SASE.

Why VectorUSA

VectorUSA’s deep certification in Fortinet, combined with its local Southern California presence, made it the only partner capable of providing "high-touch" service. Our ability to leverage specific California contract vehicles ensured the city could prioritize quality and expertise, resulting in a secure, manageable, and future-proof network.