Thumbtack is a technology company helping millions of people confidently care for and improve their homes. Supporting this mission is a dedicated cohort of 1,000+ employees, including Erik Wooding, Manager of IT Systems Engineering.
Like many companies of this size, the pandemic led to the decision to scale down their physical footprint and move to a virtual-first, but not virtual only model. This meant a fresh network build for their new 20,000-square-foot Library space.
Since their existing network stack consisted of Aruba for wireless and Palo Alto Networks for their firewall, that was what Erik priced out for the new office build. The quote that came back was for upwards of 3x in hardware and installation alone compared to Meter’s pricing.
The problem: opening a new library without limiting access to a robust tech stack
The 280+ applications (primarily SaaS) that make up Thumbtack’s tech stack were top of mind for Erik going into this build, and ensuring everyone had the secure access they needed—no matter how many people were in the Library at any given time—was his top priority.
Erik was introduced to Meter just as the project approached that massive outlay of cash for new networking hardware and he was intrigued by the idea that one monthly expense could cover everything from hardware and installation to ongoing support and maintenance.
Meter's immediate value proposition alone—zero upfront cost—would save the company 3x on the build-out that could be put into employee-centric features in the new space.
But Erik was also thinking beyond the budget and could see that by using Meter he could save himself and his team an invaluable resource—time. If they no longer had to deal with the network, and the constant stream of tickets and requests surrounding it, they could shift their focus to more high-impact and forward-looking projects like automation and improving the integration of more of that SaaS stack.
The solution: Network as a Service from Meter
“Thumbtack is already a SaaS-first company, so the idea of NaaS was fascinating. We already have clear procurement guidelines around new tools, and SaaS takes priority. So why not the same model for the network?” Erik Wooding Manager, IT Systems Engineer
Beyond the immediate savings, Erik was intrigued by Meter’s model of offering Network as a Service (NaaS). Meter isn’t a Managed Service Provider (MSP). For a monthly, square-footage-based subscription, Meter is more like an extension of your networking team. Meter takes everything to do with your network—from redundant ISP connections to routing, switching, and wireless access points—off your plate and lets you focus on your high-priority, high-impact projects.
Meter brings the whole package—site survey, hardware installation, software setup, 24/7 monitoring, and DNS security—under one simple monthly subscription.
The result: 3x cost reduction, renewed focus, and peace of Mind
“What I get the most excited about, the part I share in my community of network engineers, is the ease of use and peace of mind that Meter brings.” Erik Wooding Manager, IT Systems Engineer
By using Meter, Thumbtack realized a 3x savings over the life of their new Library lease. Their on-call support tickets dropped by 80%, and Erik and his team have been able to shift their focus to proactive projects that directly impact their customers. “Knowing that everyone has the access they need and that it’s secure, brings me the peace of mind I need to get on with my other projects knowing that our network is in good hands with Meter,” he says.
By the time Thumbtack was ready to move into the new Library space, Erik trusted Meter to support their new network enough that he went on paternity leave one week before opening day. And that trust was well placed, as he didn’t receive a single emergency page while he was out.
With Meter, Erik has been able to focus his energy on strategic projects. Removing that constant stream of network-related support tickets has proven to be more of a game-changer for Thumbtack than even Erik could have foreseen. “Without Meter, we could be as much as a full year behind on those automation and integration projects,” Erik says.
For more information on how Meter can save your company on CapEx expenses, free up your team’s time, and bring you the peace of mind of a managed secure network, reach out to our team of experts.
Customer value
- Reduce total cost of ownership (TCO): By using Meter, Thumbtack realized a 3x savings over the life of their new Library lease.
- Improve reliability and employee experience: Thumbtack’s on-call support tickets dropped by 80%, and Erik and his team have been able to shift their focus to proactive projects that directly impact their customers.
- Focus on long-term projects: With Meter, Erik has been able to focus his energy on strategic projects. Removing that constant stream of network-related support tickets has proven to be more of a game-changer for Thumbtack than even Erik could have foreseen.