Site Networking Via a Central MPLS Backbone
Stable performance for global manufacturing processes
HELLER develops and produces state-of-the-art CNC machine tools and manufacturing systems for machining. Heller is one of the leading manufacturers in this sector. Production facilities in Europe, Asia and North and South America ensure reliable delivery to customers. In addition, HELLER is represented in all important markets with its own sales and service branches as well as qualified service partners.
Heller is both a traditional medium-sized family business and a globally active provider of innovative solutions for machining production. The company is headquartered in Nürtingen in the Stuttgart region. Customers are mainly companies from the automotive industry, mechanical engineering, contract manufacturing, energy technology, tool and mold making as well as aerospace technology. With over 2,900 employees, HELLER achieved a global turnover of around 558 million euros in 2018.
The challenge
HELLER had a heterogeneous network that was operated with a multi-provider strategy. This required a high level of administrative effort that was disproportionate to the supposed cost benefits.
The initial aim was to implement a standardized network for the foreign locations with a high-performance partner who could solve problems with shorter communication paths and faster solutions. The experience gained led to RIEDEL taking over the management of the entire network in a second step.
The solution
RIEDEL Networks has been operating a highly available and scalable MPLS VPN with Ethernet access technology for Gebr. The Group's locations worldwide are connected to the RIEDEL Networks network. Backup is ensured at most locations with a second connection to the network. At some locations, the backup is ensured via IPSec connections over the Internet. The entire network, including the routers at the customer site, is proactively monitored and managed by RIEDEL Networks.
Advantages
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High availability of the network worldwide with stable, short network runtimes
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Investment protection, new locations can be quickly and easily integrated into the network
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Future-proof and flexible thanks to QoS, different priorities, classes of service (CoS) and subnets can be assigned for applications such as ERP
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Performance monitoring for monitoring the network and SLAs via web browser as well as iOS and Android apps
"We expected the switch to RIEDEL Networks to result in shorter communication channels and faster solutions to technical problems. This has been realized. Another big advantage for us is the native-language communication for all our concerns. The two companies are a good match in terms of size. The processes and procedures are unbureaucratic, uncomplicated and flexible, despite the professionalism. We have good direct and personal access to the support team, which provides us with fast and competent assistance."
Schematic representation of the HELLER solution
Most of the sites are connected to the RIEDEL Networks MPLS backbone via two fixed connections with Ethernet technology for the main connection and backup. For a few locations, backup is ensured via an IPSec VPN. The fail-safe Internet access is partly provided by RIEDEL Networks, at some other locations Internet access is provided by local providers.
