Technology Blueprint | Industrial Distribution

Industrial Distribution Company Partners with RSA Corp to Strengthen Data Communications Infrastructure

For 100 years, this company has been a leader in the distribution of capital equipment and technical services and products to the industrial market. It distributes maintenance, repair, operating and production (MROP) equipment and products to the oil and gas, petrochemical and wood products industries. Based in Houston, this is a rapidly growing company with more than $440 million in annual sales. It helps customers efficiently and cost-effectively buy, install, operate, maintain and replace MROP assets. It also distributes centrifugal pumps, rotary gear pumps, plunger pumps and other fluid-handling equipment.

Challenge

Through rapid business growth and acquisition, this comany supports operations in 13 states and more than 100 locations. With this growth, it outgrew its data communications infrastructure.

Solution

The company partnered with RSA Corp for a Technology Blueprint, which documents and identifies opportunities for technology improvements and then lays out a clear implementation plan. First, we documented all aspects of the existing communications network – from local routers and switches at headquarters to individual end-points, including a one-man sales office. After documentation, the second step was to work with the company’s management to define current and future needs. Lastly, we used the gathered information to develop architecture for a new communications network. The network could be implemented through evolutionary steps rather than dismantling and replacing what currently existed.

Result

With the documentation, plan and architecture we delivered, the company incrementally improved its communications infrastructure as existing contracts expire or new sites are added. In this manner, the company avoids the hefty termination penalties from its communications carriers and receives the benefit of understanding, in detail, what currently exists. It also has a clear plan for what its communications network will look like in the future.