3 minute read
Polaris Automation: When Security Needs Meet Speed
from Solve Q2 2015
by ⌘ ⇧ ⌥
How one engineering fi rm provides fast and safe service for manufacturing clients worldwide
–Scott Cooke
THE CHALLENGE:
In a way, it was a good problem to have—the industrial automation control systems engineered by Columbus, Ohio–based Polaris Automation and its sister company, Industrial Solutions, Inc. (ISI), drove such rapid growth that they outgrew their shared offi ce space. The company’s servers remained at Polaris while ISI engineers moved to a nearby location.
However, its previous provider’s wireless Ethernet point-to-point connection, which linked the two offi ces, soon began to cost the company latency, and cause downtime and communication gaps. Data-sharing ate up so much bandwidth that Internet protocol (IP) phones were rendered useless. Polaris, an engineering fi rm specializing in the design of industrial automation control systems, needed a better connection to support its two locations. It also needed to scale bandwidth to securely support clients worldwide.
THE SOLUTION:
The answer was found in a TWCBC fi ber network that allows for capacity, scalability, and control. Polaris and ISI often control a customer’s business systems remotely, or stream video from closed-circuit TVs for remote troubleshooting. Accordingly, the companies require enhanced bandwidth for dedicated virtual private network (VPN) connections. They also need it for encryption, authentication, and other
safeguards, including those necessary to meet Homeland Security requirements.
In 2011, Polaris president Scott Cooke chose Time Warner Cable Business Class (TWCBC) to implement a 10 Mbps Ethernet Private Line (EPL) circuit to create reliable and low-latency connectivity between Polaris and ISI. Using 10 Mbps Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) provides symmetrical, high-bandwidth upload and download connectivity.
THE RESULT:
Polaris and ISI now operate as though they were under one roof. “We realized how much money we were losing [with the previous provider] in latency issues and downtime,” Cooke says. “Now, if I’m at the ISI location, the technology acts just as it does if I’m at the Polaris location.”
TWCBC services have also allowed Polaris to keep abreast of evolving security needs and the added bandwidth they require. Further, Polaris and ISI actually take remote control of client systems, requiring even more bandwidth—and highlighting the need for a strong and collaborative relationship between provider and client. “Time Warner Cable Business Class not only provides us with service, but they are adept and trained in understanding the security issues we’re up against,” Cooke says.
A good partner helps a client stay ahead not only of emerging challenges, but of new business opportunities. Scalability is key. “If we need more bandwidth to do something, we can just make a call,” Cooke says. “So in terms of opportunities for continued growth, there really are no boundaries.”
SHARE YOUR STORY!
How did you partner with TWCBC to SOLVE your technology issues? Tell us about it for a chance to be featured in an upcoming issue of SOLVE. Visit business.twc.com/nomination to share your story.
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