Single mobile network handles all voice and data communications

Vienna – 31 August 2010. NextiraOne, Europe’s leading expert in communications services, has implemented an innovative networking solution using Voice over Wireless LAN for Hermes Pharma in Austria, the international specialist for soluble pharmaceutical products. The new solution proves that, whereas Wireless LANs (WLANs) are already widely accepted for data networks in many businesses, they are also capable of supporting voice communications and making them wireless and mobile.

With the construction of its new manufacturing plant in Wolfsberg (inCarinthia, Austria) Hermes Pharma decided to implement a Wireless LAN network with IP technology and mobile integration. WLAN was ideal for the new buildings because it significantly reduces the need for initial cabling – staff and devices are centrally configured in the network, removing the need for extensive cabling.

The Wireless LAN encompasses both data networking and also the entire voice communications needs of Hermes Pharma over one single consolidated network. Employees’ devices, networks and telephones are all connected via more than 200 access points, switches and routers, greatly increasing the accessibility of staff and the availability of the production units.

WLAN security is achieved with security standard WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2), plus central user management, the customer‘s own access controls and accounting. 

Staff communicate via Alcatel-Lucent’s MIPT (Mobile IP Technology) WLAN mobile handsets, which automatically connect them via the Access Points, irrespective of where the employee is located within the WLAN area.
 
NextiraOne also designed and implemented a mobility solution for staff beyond the company network. Employees can use GSM integration to phone using the company network within the WLAN area independent of the external service provider and only use the GSM service for external mobility. The integration solution behind this - Alcatel-Lucent’s My Cellular Extension (MyCE) - converts the Nokia mobile handset into an extension of the IP handset through a “One Business Number” concept.  The management of this service is conducted centrally via a Local Device Management.

“Hermes Pharma is a dynamic company demanding the highest quality,” explains Dr. Martin Kern, Factory Head at Hermes Pharma Wolfsberg. “This also has to be reflected in our infrastructure. That is why we decided to choose a future-proof solution that would be cost-effective in the long term. The results have proved us right: the migration of all our business communications to a single network have accelerated our business processes and increased the mobility of our staff.”

“Each WLAN is unique: the network is as individual as the company it is designed for,” says Dr. Margarete Schramböck, Vice President Germany & Austria NextiraOne. “The special requirements of Hermes Pharma and the constraints of their buildings were a new challenge for our communications experts and it is testament to our expertise and our pioneering approach that we were able to create and implement such a successful solution.”

A detailed case study is available at: http://www.nextiraone.eu/eu/references/hermes_pharma/hermes_pharma

ENDS

About NextiraOne
Headquartered in Paris, NextiraOne are Europe’s leading experts in communications services. The company designs, installs, maintains and supports all of its customers’ communications needs from voice to mobility, security and applications.  NextiraOne provides seamless, end-to-end communications solutions working with the leading technology vendors in the industry to deliver maximum business benefit to customers.

Discover more at: http://www.nextiraone-eu.com

*NextiraOne and the NextiraOne logo are registered trademarks of NextiraOne LLC

For more information:
Neil Moss
European Marketing Director
NextiraOne
Tel: +49 30 74107-6380
[email protected]

Sheila Lashford
Splash PR
Tel: +44 (0) 7986 514240
[email protected]

NextiraOne Austria GmbH
Mag. Nicole Plein
Communications & PR Manager
Tel. 05 77 33-4827
[email protected]