Global Case Study

Sony Corporation, Inc : Detail

Taking the Lead in IPv6 Enterprise Networks

Sony Corporation, a world-leading developer of high technology for electronics, finance and information/communication, has been engaged in strategic merger and acquisition to strengthen its corporate group with special expertise in the face of mounting competition.As part of its expansion into fields ranging from enterprise services to entertainment, Sony turned to NTT Com's Arcstar™ Global IP-VPN and data center services, aiming to create a more efficient ICT infrastructure and strengthen telecommunications among its many global offices.

Issue

As a multinational company involved in diverse businesses, Sony decided to upgrade its global ICT infrastructure with IPv6 technologies. The idea was to apply IPv6's advanced features, such as virtually unlimited network addresses, toward the resolution of mounting problems, including:

• Expansion efforts were taking too long due to the complicated structure of the network, and total cost of ownership (TCO) was continuing to rise.
• A number of technical l imi tat ions were impeding internal communications.

Solution

Sony started looking at IPv6 in 2006 and then launched a full-scale effort in 2008. One of the first steps was to choose a telecommunications company that could:

• Respond to all technical specifications.
• Reduce network TCO.
• Introduce IPv6 on schedule.
• Provide support for all corporate sites in Asia-Oceania.

In the end, Sony determined that NTT Com was the only company in Asia-Pacific that could fully meet all requirements in terms of technology, cost, schedule and coverage.

NTT Com's IPv6 dual-stack service was the primary solution used to meet Sony's exacting needs. In addition to meeting the client's initial requirements, the NTT Com group also solved a number of problems that surfaced during implementation:

• Network architecture and routing protocols were reworked to reduce Sony's burden of introducing the IPv6 dual-stack service.
• NTT Communications China provided training to Sony personnel in China to facilitate a smooth introduction.
• Schedules were fully managed in countries where the service would be offered in cooperation with local carriers.
• Close coordination with vendors helped to accelerate the introduction of compatible devices.

Current Results

So far, NTT Com has assisted Sony in establishing and introducing IPv6 architecture in its network connecting Japan with offices in other Asian countries. Going forward, Sony now intends to leverage its new IPv6 architecture throughout its wider global network, aiming to realize important benefits, such as:

• Flexibility to launch new businesses quickly.
• Reduced network TCO.
• Unencumbered communication for close, group-wide collaboration.

Sony's New IPv6 Network

In the Customer's Own Words

"We were able to introduce IPv6 ahead of other companies thanks to NTT Com's ability to meet our implementation schedule, as well as its fast and capable resolution of difficult problems that came up during the project.
NTT Com's expert advice and IPv6 management, as well as the architecture and routing protocols it created in accordance with our internal systems, has enabled us to ensure compatibility with our legacy technologies while also lowering our burden of operation, all of which are major achievements.
As we continue to implement our ‘Sony United’ strategy for collaboration across countries, companies and business fields, we believe that this new IPv6 service can play a vital role in ensuring the success of our strategy."

--- Fumiaki Sakai, General Manager, Business Transformation/IS Center, Sony Corporation