The solution
Vanco designed and implemented a solution that incorporates sites in four continents and supports all four of Smiths' business divisions. The new network consists of a Public IP VPN utilizing managed DSL and leased line connectivity. “Why use ATM Frame-Relay when ADSL can deliver the same results for certain requirements especially when it is so much cheaper in areas such as Asia Pacific or Russia?” argues Lytle.

“We decided to work with Vanco as its unique Virtual Network Operator approach means that it remains the best positioned supplier to deliver global Wide Area Network solutions, and it does so in a cost effective and flexible way that meets our ongoing business requirements,” states John Lytle, CTO Smiths Group.

O-Zone: Online Network Management and Reporting Real-time network monitoring and reporting is also a significant aspect, with Vanco delivering key network and application metrics to Smiths, online and real-time, through its unique O-Zone customer interface solution.

Using thin client systems, staff in newly established international offices will be able to access intranets containing data for Smiths' Detection, Medical, Aerospace and Specialist Engineering divisions. O-Zone is providing Smiths Group with a desktop management portal so the firm's IT department can check network performance worldwide 24/7.

O-zone provides online end-to-end network analysis, statistics and performance monitoring information for Smiths' entire global network. It features a centralized management view, integrating best-of-breed services into a single, seamless monitoring solution via any internet enabled browser. “It shows us the performance, if a circuit is down, or if there are delays in real-time,” says Lytle.

O-Zone features include:
PROBLEM MANAGEMENT
highlights the status of problems on the network including progress with fault resolution

CHANGE MANAGEMENT
enables you to activate changes to the network and track progress with the request

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT
provides a personalized window detailing the specific network wide performance data that you want to see

APPLICATION PERFORMANCE MONITORING
analyses the performance of critical applications from the user's perspective

CUSTOMER SPECIFIC DOCUMENTATION
includes all technical data such as topology and connectivity schematics; and all services information including the service provision plan, escalation procedures and points of contact

The Benefits
The Vanco VNO solution for Smiths utilizes around 20 underlying carriers across numerous countries with a strong Asia-Pacific presence. Two different carriers are utilized in China to support three Smiths' sites in the country.

“By dealing through one firm I do not have to worry about managing relationships with 20 different carriers around the world,' said Lytle. “China, alongside Japan, is an area that represents an increasingly important area of business for us, both as a manufacturing location and sales hub,” adds John Lytle.

Smiths were an early advocate of the Virtual Network Operator model, and are reaping the benefit of cost savings and unrivalled service, but also the absolute freedom for their business to grow and develop in any location in the world. Unrestricted by a set network footprint, the VNO approach means Smiths are always accessing the most appropriate technology in any given geography, and their Wide Area Network is never a brake on their business ambitions.

“The financial value for us is that we can go into an emerging market and not have to worry about high set-up costs,” he said. “For example, if we go into Shanghai, Vanco can sort out a cheaper deal much quicker,” Lytle explains.

“Vanco demonstrated an excellent understanding of the technical and commercial challenges facing our business. Working with the Smiths team, Vanco developed a simple technical solution that fits our overall IT Strategy and integrates perfectly with our existing WAN. We have outsourced this critical part of our IT infrastructure to an organization we feel has competence to deliver both now and in the future.”

Through Vanco's Active Negotiating Position (ANP), Smiths will have continual access to both the lowest infrastructure prices available in the market and new technologies as and when they become available.

Lytle sums it up well, “A global enterprise like Smiths needs an organization that can procure the infrastructure cost effectively, has the management systems and processes around the world to be able to manage that. Vanco has the global reach and the resources locally.”