Visual Network Helps Empire Electronics

Automotive Supplier Overcomes Local Telco Limitations With Four-Line MultiVOIPs™ And Microwave And Satellite Transmission

Visual Network, headquartered in Novi, Michigan, has implemented an Internet-based voice/data Wide Area Network for Empire Electronics, a $20 million tier one/two automotive manufacturer supplying electrical wire harnesses, connectors and electromechanical assemblies to automotive OEMs. Visual Network owner Don Gillentine and Empire Electronics Controller Ken Doman report that Empire Electronics is now reliably and cost-effectively communicating with its assembly plant in Honduras, thanks to voice/data-over-Internet capability from Multi-Tech's MultiVOIP™ solutions.

"MultiVOIP solves one of the inherent problems of doing business in developing countries, where it can be very hard to 'reach out and touch somebody,' due to underdeveloped telecommunications infrastructures," Doman observes. "With a Multi-Tech four-line MultiVOIP™ on either end, reaching an Empire employee at the Honduras plant—and vice versa—is as easy as dialing a three-digit extension on our PBX."

"Mid-1998, we began to design and implement the LAN infrastructure for Empire's new Novell-based ERP system from Monitor Systems. When it came time to connect the Honduran plant, we had to find a non-traditional solution," Gillentine explains.

"We designed and implemented a WAN that combines several technologies, including microwave between the Empire Electronics plant and the Global Telecom (Empire's Honduras ISP) earth station in San Pedro Sula; satellite between Global Telecom's San Pedro Sula and Plano,Texas offices; and the Internet through Sprint Link (the Troy, Michigan ISP)," continued Gillentine.

"Voice quality is better than that supplied through HonduTel, bandwidth is broader, and availability more reliable," Gillentine notes. "In addition, Empire Electronics is spending less. Before, long distance phone bills averaged $6,000 per month. Now their cost is $800 for their ISP in Honduras and $500 month for the ISP in Troy."

The plant in San Pedro Sula is totally integrated into Empire Electronics' ERP system—operating in real time. The fully functioning WAN provides e-mail, data transmission and remote access in addition to voice communication.

About Visual Network

Visual Network, a Multi-Tech Optimum Reseller, was founded in 1992 by Don Gillentine in Novi, a northwest suburb of Detroit, as a provider of LAN and WAN solutions for manufacturers. For more information, contact Don Gillentine at Visual Network, 26200 American Drive, Suite 200, Southfield, Michigan. Tel: 248-948-8800 or email sales@visual-network.net. Web: http://www.vns-inc.com/.