Network Migration ROI: Justify the Investment

ROI of a Network Migration: Justifying the Investment to the Executive Committee

April 15, 2026·2 min read·278 words

Justify network migration ROI to the Executive Committee: calculate savings (MPLS → SD-WAN, hardware refresh), productivity gains, reduced downtime, and avoided compliance costs (NIS2 fines). This guide helps CIOs build a strong business case.

ROI methodology

Calculate the initial investment (CAPEX + services)
Calculate annual gains (savings + revenue)
ROI = (Gains - Costs) / Costs × 100
Payback period: time required to recover the investment
NPV (Net Present Value): discount rate

Sources of gains

Direct savings

MPLS → SD-WAN: 40-80% WAN savings
Hardware refresh: consolidation = -30% power/cooling
Consolidated licenses: Security Fabric vs multi-vendor solutions
Personnel: automation = fewer manual tasks

Productivity gains

Higher throughput = less user waiting time
WiFi 6 vs WiFi 5: +40% mobile productivity
ZTNA for remote work: improved employee satisfaction
Calculate: hours × number of users × days

Avoided risks

NIS2 fines: up to €10M or 2% of revenue
Average ransomware cost: €1-5M
Network downtime: €5-100k/hour
GDPR breach: 4% of revenue

SD-WAN business case example

Investment: €200k (hardware + deployment)
MPLS savings: €300k/year (750 → €450k)
Productivity gain: €50k/year
Annual gain: €350k
Payback: 7 months
3-year ROI: (1 050 - 200) / 200 = 425%

Network refresh example

Investment: €150k
Electricity savings: €8k/year
Reduced downtime (0.99 → 0.999): €20k/year in avoided costs
Payback: 5.4 years without compliance benefits
Including avoided NIS2 costs (1 potential €500k fine): substantial ROI

Business case best practices

Use conservative figures (not optimistic ones)
Benchmark against comparable data (Gartner, IDC)
Storytelling: current problem + solution + gains
Phased approach: quick wins + long-term initiatives
Business stakeholder validation (not just IT)

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Business case + ROI support. Current-state audit + design + cost estimates. Quote within 48h.

Frequently Asked Questions

Comment calculer le ROI d'un projet réseau ?

ROI = (Gains totaux - Coût du projet) / Coût du projet x 100. Les gains incluent la réduction des pannes, la productivité accrue, les économies d'énergie et la réduction des coûts de maintenance. Un projet réseau typique a un ROI de 150-300% sur 3 ans.

Quels gains sont les plus faciles à quantifier ?

La réduction des pannes (coût horaire x heures évitées), les économies d'énergie (mesurables en kWh), la réduction du contrat de maintenance (ancien vs nouveau) et le gain de productivité IT (heures d'administration économisées par l'automatisation).

Comment convaincre un DAF sceptique ?

Présentez les chiffres en euros, pas en termes techniques. Montrez le coût de l'inaction (pannes, non-conformité, dette technique). Utilisez le payback period (temps de retour sur investissement) plutôt que le ROI abstrait. Un payback de 18 mois est convaincant.