By Jason Gintert, CTO

Network infrastructure upgrades are rarely optional. At some point, aging switches and access points start holding back the very mission an organization exists to fulfill. Students can’t connect reliably in lecture halls. Clinicians experience lag accessing patient records. The problem is obvious but the budget to fix it often isn’t. 

That’s where Network as a Service (NaaS) enters the picture and it’s why we’ve been helping organizations in higher education and healthcare embrace HPE GreenLake for Aruba Networking as a smarter path forward. 

The Capital Crunch Is Real 

Let’s be honest: higher ed and healthcare organizations face unique financial pressures. Universities deal with fluctuating enrollment, state funding uncertainties and the constant need to modernize facilities. Healthcare systems juggle tight margins, regulatory compliance and the ever-expanding demand for connected medical devices. 

Both sectors need enterprise-grade networks. Neither can always write a seven-figure check to get one. 

“Organizations that defer network investments aren’t just accepting slower Wi-Fi; they’re constraining what’s possible for their entire operation.” 

We saw this firsthand with Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD). They needed a comprehensive network refresh of wired and wireless infrastructure that could support a creative campus where bandwidth hungry applications are the norm. The challenge? The capital simply wasn’t there. Traditional procurement would have meant either delaying the project indefinitely or cobbling together a patchwork solution that would need replacing in a few years anyway. 

GreenLake Changed the Equation 

HPE GreenLake for Aruba Networking flips the funding model. Instead of a massive upfront capital expenditure, organizations get enterprise-grade Aruba wired and wireless infrastructure through a predictable monthly subscription. Hardware, software and services, all bundled into one payment that aligns with how these organizations actually budget. 

“No compromises on technology. No waiting for the next budget cycle. Just a modern, reliable network that supports their mission today.” 

For CCAD, this meant deploying the network they needed without the capital outlay they struggled to afford. The GreenLake model also builds in flexibility that traditional purchases can’t match. Need to add a building or expand coverage? That’s a simple change order, not a new procurement cycle. Technology refresh at the end of your term keeps you current without starting from scratch. It’s the kind of agility that lets IT teams focus on outcomes instead of financing spreadsheets. 

Beyond Higher Ed: Healthcare and Enterprise 

While we’ve built deep expertise in higher education networking, we’re seeing the same NaaS value proposition resonate across healthcare and enterprise environments. Hospitals and clinics face many of the same challenges—critical infrastructure needs, capital constraints, and zero tolerance for network downtime when patient care is on the line. 

“The network isn’t just infrastructure anymore—it’s the platform everything else runs on.” 

The beauty of GreenLake is that it’s not a one-size-fits-all box. HPE offers purpose-built options covering indoor wireless, outdoor wireless, wired access, aggregation, core switching, SD-Branch and more. Whether you’re connecting a rural clinic, a sprawling hospital campus, or a multi-building corporate headquarters, there’s a NaaS configuration that fits. 

Why This Matters Now 

Learning management systems, telehealth, IoT sensors, building automation, security cameras. All of it depends on connectivity that’s reliable, secure, and scalable. Organizations that keep deferring network investments aren’t saving money; they’re borrowing against their own future. 

“NaaS removes the excuse. It makes world-class networking accessible to organizations that historically had to choose between ‘good enough’ and ‘someday.'” 

At Laketec, we’ve spent nearly four decades helping organizations across Ohio and beyond build networks that work. GreenLake for Aruba Networking is one of the most compelling tools we’ve added to that toolkit, especially for higher ed and healthcare clients who need to move forward without waiting for capital budgets to catch up. 

If your organization is stuck in that gap between network needs and available funding, let’s talk. There’s a better way.