Friday, October 17th 2003
Honda selects Interfusion Networks to drive its network
- leverages the cost-effectiveness and speed of broadband
-24 hr business information access
- reduced operational costs and increase efficiency for the customer
-predicted 100% ROI within 18 months**
- centralised control for more efficient transactions
- remote monitoring and support
Interfusion Networks, a leading provider of networking solutions and services, today announced that it has won the contract to design, manage and support the communications network for Universal Honda Limited, importer an distributor of Honda Limited Head Office and provides access to sales information, warranty services and parts ordering. Under the terms of the contract Interfusion Networks takes full responsibility for the installation and management of the network from their Network Operations Centre in Ballymount, Dublin.
Universal Honda Limited sought a solution that could provide all Honda dealers with access to Universal Honda’s business information and services 7 days a work but in such a manner that would keep capital expenditure to a minimum and at the same time put little or no extra workload on the existing IT staff. After a competitive tender process, the company chose Interfusion's “NetHop” solution, a fully managed and hosted service that provides the customer a single point of contact for all connectivity issues. In addition to centralised internet access, centralised email and content filtering, “NetHop” used dedicated private tunnels within the Internet (VPNs*) to link dealers into a central site. This enables Universal Honda to take full advantage of the low cost bandwidth solutions available to businesses today through the introduction of broadband.
Furthermore, the service offers business-class security, is always on and allows for the distribution of high data volumes and additional voice-video services. As well as taking over the full management of Universal Honda’s dealer communications infastructure, Interfusion Networks provides a full help-desk and call service for aspects of the network as well as regular statistics on line and service usage giving a compete view of network performance.
Commenting on the contract, Adrian Cole, General Manager, Universal Honda Limited, says; “Hondas network of dealerships across Ireland is key to achieving our future business objectives. This solution provides continuous access to all the tools and information the dealers require while enabling Universal Honda Limited to carry out its core business functions. The contract was awarded to Interfusion Network because of their expertise and experience in managed services and VPN technology combined with the company’s knowledge of the motor industry. We were looking for someone who would work in parallel with us and offer a total managed solution. NetHop significantly reduces operating costs, enhances dealer processes and eliminates all paper-based interaction between Universal Honda Limited and the dealerships.”
Commenting on the launch of the service Derek Daly, Managing Director, Interfusion Networks says. “Universal Honda’s decision to choose our NetHop service is demonstrative of what we are seeing across the enterprise industry. Fast, reliable access to information any office or location is mission-critical to businesses. We have designed a service to deliver the benefits of low cost broadband connectivity without the accompanying overhead or worry involved in managing a corporate network and internet connectivity. Universal Honda Limited now has a customised, integrated network solution that significantly benefits end-users, customers and the company itself.”
Interfusion Networks’ NetHop Hosted Services is a flexible connectivity option which provides data links to branch offices, tele-workers, partners, customer and suppliers. The Managed VPN service, which provides wired or wireless connectivity via dedicated, private tunnels within the Internet (VPNs), is aimed at organisations with multiple branch locations such as franchises, dealerships or retail outlets as well as mobile or home-based staff. The core of the infrastructure is based on the latest MPLS technology. This core is connected to the Internet as well as to Eircom Business IP and Energies UK frame relay service allowing Interfusion to deliver a cost effective turnkey integrated network solution. The centralised email service has integrated anti-virus and anti-spam software and includes user administration, mail backup and recovery services.
Press Queries To:
Derek Daly, Managing Director, Interfusion Networks,
Tel: (01) 419 0974 Fax: (01) 4500083
Bernice Burnside, PR Consultant,
Tel: (01) 8457884
