ELIN Motoren GmbH needed a speedy answer to its
communications needs to meet the challenging timetable for the completion of
its new headquarters in Preding/ Weiz. NextiraOne created an in­novative
solution that not only upgraded the company’s voice and data network, but also
introduced a high performance wireless LAN solution for the challenging
warehouse environment. The new system includes mobility, security and a central
management system that has improved the ease of use of the system and helped
reduce costs.

THE CUSTOMER

The ELIN Motoren GmbH employs more than 460 employees and
serves customers all over the world from its new headquarters in Preding/ Weiz
in Austria, where it has created one of the most modern engine plants in
Europe.

Electrical engines developed in Preding/ Weiz are used in
the field of energy production for wind energy and for water, steam and gas
turbines. ELIN engines are also found in industries such as tunnel boring,
plastic, cement and steel industries and in large power plants and compressors.
The company embraces a highly innovative culture and is a market leader,
characterised by its flexibility and its comprehensive services for its
international customers.

THE CHALLENGE

ELIN Motoren GmbH demonstrates this innovation and
flexibility through its enterprise infrastructure. With the construction of the
company’s new headquarters in Preding/ Weiz in Austria ELIN decided to
implement a comprehensive renewal of the voice and data communications system
across all its Austrian sites.

A new centralized, converged network was required,
centred at the Preding/ Weiz HQ and with the highest levels of availability,
performance and security. A comprehensive mobility solution was also planned
for the company’s employees.

NextiraOne, Europea’s  leading expert in communications
services, was responsible for the overall integration of the new communications
system. This was particularly challenging due to the very short timescales
involved with the building of the new headquarters. Linking the company’s other
sites across Austria and the integration of a wireless LAN for part of the
network also called for NextiraOne’s highest levels of technical and
organisational expertise.

 

THE SOLUTION

At the heart of the new communications infrastructure is
an IP-based converged network based on Alcatel-Lucent technology. The Gigabit
Ethernet network for voice and data communications provides Power over Ethernet
(PoE), delivering high performance and reliability to the desktop.

Mobile data communications are also available in the
company’s warehouse and in parts of the office complex in the company’s new
headquarters. The Wireless LAN that provides these communications presented a
particular challenge for the NextiraOne Experts team, as the 12 meter high
racking is made of steel which inhibits wireless transmission.

ELIN Motoren GmbH therefore needed a high performance
solution which would ensure the reliability and availability of the mobile
network. Using Alcatel-Lucent technology, NextiraOne implemented a system that
provides around 65 access points for reliable and secure communications. The
transmission of verification data via hand and barcode scanners throughout the
building has proved to be entirely reliable.

As part of the upgrade of the telephony system, the staff
at ELIN Motoren GmbH have been equipped with IP telephones. Over 120 IP
telephones and 100 DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Communications) phones now
provide reliable communications throughout the network in Preding/ Weiz and at
the company’s Vienna and Salzburg sites. By means of Power over Ethernet the
net­worked devices are supplied with power via the Ethernet cable, thus saving
on cabling.

The central management system handles the administration
of the network and all devices. New software is installed and updates and new
configurations are carried out remotely in real time without disrupting ongoing
operations. In the case of a loss of power the system can shut down all
terminals on the network.

 

Our long-standing experience and comprehensive know-how
in the integration of voice, data, security and mobility have helped make this
project such a success. In particular the implementation of the wireless LAN is
another milestone in the provision mobile network technology,” said Mike Ranz,
director of Sales, NextiraOne Styria.

 

GSM integration also enables mobile telephony off-site as
well as in the offices. Mobile phones are connected and act like an extension
within the main system and all usual applications, such as call forwarding,
conferencing, redirecting and others, are available via the mobile phone under
one single number. The administration of mobile devices is also handled via the
central management system.

 

“The substantial requirements we had set for the
communications system and the short timeframe for the implementation of the
project created a major challenge. We are therefore all the more pleased with
the professional approach of the NextiraOne team and the benefits of the new
solution, which covers our entire communications infrastructure and has simplified
it significantly,” said Dominik Brunner, managing director of ELIN Motoren.

A comprehensive security solution and VPN connectivity
between the sites is also part of the new solution from NextiraOne: the company
has installed a Juniper SSG 550 Firewall at ELIN Motoren’s headquarters in
Preding/ Weiz. This enterprise firewall provides comprehensive Unified Threat
Management. Security risks are handled using tools such as anti-virus,
intrusion prevention, web filtering and spam filtering. The firewall protects
the network from malicious attack. Gateway protection secures the voice and
data communications from external threats, whereas inside the network several
security services come into play that can be extended to meet the future needs
of the company.

The Vienna and Salzburg sites and remote users are all
connected to the Preding/ Weiz head­quarters via a virtual private network
(VPN). These connections are also protected by the firewall.