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BCS Group Deploys Aerohive's Branch on Demand Solution to Bring Distributed Global Workforce Onto One Virtual Network
[July 02, 2012]

BCS Group Deploys Aerohive's Branch on Demand Solution to Bring Distributed Global Workforce Onto One Virtual Network


SUNNYVALE, Calif. & AUCKLAND, New Zealand --(Business Wire)--

Aerohive Networks™, the pioneer in cloud-enabled enterprise networking infrastructure, today announced that BCS (Baggage Control Services) Group, a baggage handling and logistics specialist, and renowned supplier of end to end solutions for the aviation industry, has deployed Aerohive (News - Alert) to create a secure, stable collaborative network environment for its distributed offices and project teams across the globe.

The Aerohive solution was selected for its ease of management, rich functionality and ability to provide an integrated wired and wireless network that will cost-effectively scale alongside business growth.

News Facts

  • BCS Group is headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand, and has 340 staff around the world. In addition to its three main datacentre offices in APAC, personnel operate from 30 remote offices spread across three continents. Its offices accommodate all functions, from software development, mechanical and design engineers, to administration, sales, and 24-hour maintenance and operation shift workers.
  • Having previously implemented wireless solutions ad hoc, as the business grew, the company realised its piecemeal approach to networking was neither economically viable nor providing the technical capability to support its business operations moving forward.
  • With 24/7 operations, and the increasing capacity demand of business-critical applications, such as 3D visualisation software, BCS was pushing its wireless infrastructure to the limit. After experiencing a major outage with its payroll system, it was time to look for an alternative, standardised wireless infrastructure.
  • BCS sought a technology partner that could provide not just wireless, but remote office connectivity. Other pre-requisites included cost-effective and easy scalability for global needs, the ability to isolate guests and, crucially, the solution needed to be zero touch for IT.
  • The IT team chose Aerohive following an evaluation alongside Aruba. The company was impressed by Aerohive's len solution and its ability to scale at cost. The BR100 solution was particularly compelling; removing location from the equation by providing headquarters-like secure wired and wireless networking at any BCS office, however small or remote.
  • BCS has implemented a combination of BR100's and Aerohive AP's, as well as Aerohive's Cloud VPN Gateway (News - Alert) (CVG) and Hive Manager Virtual appliance for zero touch deployment and centralised management and administration. The whole solution took just over a day to implement for the global rollout. Aerohive's ease of use, and simple configuration meant that within two days staff were fully familiar with the products.
  • With Aerohive in place, all BCS locations now act as one big virtual office. Regardless of location, employees are working and collaborating from one stable and secure network in real-time.
  • The cost-effective scalability of the Aerohive solution remains critical as the organisation continues to grow. Aerohive has eliminated the previous complexity in setting up a new office. The IT team no longer face a lengthy financial sign off process; where it would cost thousands of dollars to establish an office from an IT perspective, now it is only hundreds using an Aerohive AP or Branch Router.
  • Aerohive has significantly reduced management overhead for BCS. The simple cloud-based network solution has not only brought the IT team zero touch deployment for its dispersed working environment, but along with Hive Manager, has completely eliminated travelling requirements for diagnostics and support; now all controlled, configured and managed centrally.
  • For operational staff working in plants that previously only used Ethernet, benefits have been immediate. They can walk around the plant with the technology, rather than sitting in the control room. It gives employees the mobility and real-time information they need to be productive.



Comments

"We couldn't be happier with the solution and how well it works," says Brett Hobbs, BCS Systems Architect Infrastructure Manager. "It is the best business changing decision we've made this financial year for our company.


"Before it was a big challenge when we'd set up a project team utilising people skills from all over the world, but since the Aerohive network has been in place, it has pulled everything together. It is now easy to centralise all our information, and provide packages that everyone can use with an underlying network that is both stable and available.

"One of the best features is that it's a really hands off product. The rules are set up and then the device just automatically configures. I can now deploy other branch offices without having to be present; I just have to tell someone to plug it in. So it has saved on travelling time and cost. I have the peace of mind that when we deploy into another country I don't have to be there, as the solution and technology has proved itself."

About Aerohive Networks (News - Alert)

Aerohive Networks reduces the cost and complexity of today's networks with cloud-enabled, distributed Wi-Fi and routing solutions for enterprises and medium sized companies including branch offices and teleworkers. Aerohive's cooperative control Wi-Fi architecture, public or private cloud-enabled network management, routing and VPN solutions eliminate costly controllers and single points of failure. This gives its customers mission critical reliability with granular security and policy enforcement and the ability to start small and expand without limitations. Aerohive was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif. The company's investors include Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Northern Light Venture Capital and New Enterprise Associates, Inc. (NEA). For more information, please visit www.aerohive.com, call us at 408-510-6100, follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) @Aerohive, subscribe to our blog or become a fan on our Facebook page.


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