Customer Success Story
STRATUS
Stratus Computer Selects BT Infonet to Expand Its Worldwide Network
Founded in 1980, Stratus Computer is the premier supplier of computer systems and services where continuous availability is a critical need. Stratus offers the world's most proven range of fault-tolerant computer platforms, application solutions, and professional services for today's business critical operations.
Stratus began a new era in early 1999 when Stratus management and a global investment company, Investcorp, bought out the Stratus enterprise computer business from Ascend Communications. Continuing as Stratus Computer, the company remains dedicated to its original core competency - focusing on the needs of the enterprise market for business-critical computing.
Stratus serves more than 700 customers worldwide in the financial services, securities, retail, travel, electronic commerce, healthcare, public safety and gaming industries. Many Stratus customers are industry leaders such as prominent U.S. securities firms, major credit card companies, the largest stock exchanges in Asia, the largest options exchange in the world and 15 out of the world's 20 largest banks. Stratus Computer Systems, S.à.r.l. is privately held with over 1,100 employees worldwide.
Supporting E-Commerce Initiatives
Gary Okimoto is Vice President and CIO of Stratus Computer responsible for the Information Systems, Applications, Network, Help Desk, Systems Groups and Facility Services. Reporting to Okimoto and responsible for identifying, evaluating and selecting network products, technologies and services is Steve Hamilton, Manager of Worldwide Network Services.
Eight years ago, with the explosion in TCP/IP and LANs worldwide, Stratus sought a way to connect its global LANs and a more cost-effective means for its e-mail systems. "Our communications infrastructure at the time was unmanageable. We needed a fully meshed TCP/IP network to connect all Stratus locations," recalls Okimoto. The company subsequently engaged BT Infonet to provide data communications services for its international locations, selecting another vendor to provide frame relay domestically.
In 1999 Stratus began transitioning from manufacturing its products internally to contracting with outside manufacturers. It evolved into a company with higher volume and lower margin product lines. Delivering these higher volumes led the way to two major initiatives in regards to conducting its business electronically. MyStatus.com, the first initiative, is an umbrella interface that provides Stratus' 700 customers with information on the company and their orders. Stratus' customers in 50 offices and 20 countries can review orders electronically and communicate directly with customer service. Stratus also implemented an e-commerce business-to-business (B2B) initiative to handle electronic commerce between Stratus and its manufacturers.
Expanding the Network a Priority
To effectively implement these initiatives and improve productivity Stratus needed to expand its existing network. Okimoto also wanted to reduce costs, consolidate services and improve Dial access and Internet services. Stratus also had an urgent need to increase the bandwidth between its headquarters, U.S. locations and the customer assistance centre in Phoenix, Arizona.
"Our business is providing systems that are continuously available. Having our network and communication services available 24/7 is a basic requirement. We need a reliable network, excellent support and the assurance that any subsequent implementation would not disrupt day-to-day operations for our personnel or facilities worldwide," Okimoto observes.
Over a period of six months, Okimoto and Hamilton evaluated six vendors and shortlisted two. Their criteria included: services available, cost, and the ability to include additional services with minimal disruption. "It was a highly competitive bid with many components and not an easy decision," explains Hamilton.
Ensuring 24/7 Support and Reliability
"After reviewing the bids and evaluations, we selected BT Infonet to provide a single point of contact in Asia, Europe and the United States," declares Hamilton. Implementing the expanded network involves 25 global locations, adding regional Internet services in London, Tokyo, Maynard (MA) and Phoenix, upgrading sites and installing ATM connections for voice, video and data. Additionally Canada will be upgraded to T1 and Stratus will be moving to BT Infonet's DialXpress and DialXpress Internet for discrete intranet and Internet access worldwide.
Stratus has already seen cost savings and productivity improvement, especially in Asia. "We now have a fully meshed network with dial access at a capped rate," states Hamilton.
"BT Infonet has proven to us that it can provide the functionality we require and the support that is so critical to our business," remarks Okimoto. "They have been a flexible and accommodating partner."