Business Needs & Networking Requirements
Manufacturers need to stay closely connected on both the demand side and supply side of the value chain. On the demand side, being electronically connected with a network of dealers and distributors for products ensures that they are well-tuned to customer demand and can adjust their production schedules accordingly. On the supply side, being tightly linked with key suppliers allows them to minimize inventory and implement an efficient supply chain process. Dealers/distributors and suppliers are going to be geographically distributed and hence, a secure, reliable network infrastructure is required to connect manufacturers with their dealers/distributors and suppliers.
Security is important since the far-flung network of dealers will often use the Internet, rather than leased lines, for network connectivity. Services such as firewall and VPN, in addition to routing, may be required at each remote site. Many of these remote offices are likely to be small organizations with no IT support staff. As a result, the manufacturer’s IT staff will often play a critical role in defining the network infrastructure requirements at the remote sites and, in many cases, even manage this infrastructure remotely. Hence, the key remote office networking requirements for manufacturers can be summarized as follows:
- Multiple network and security services at each site
- High level of security with ability to respond rapidly to new security threats
- Comprehensive, always available remote management access
- Rapid & low-cost expansion into new regions
Limitations of Traditional Solutions
Traditional solutions, based on cascaded point devices, are unable to meet the requirements of manufacturers in today’s networked, fast-paced economy. Support for multiple services requires the disruptive addition of new devices and can be expensive. System management is complex, with little or no support for remote management. Downtime levels are high which may cause serious disruption to production schedules and impact the bottom line through missed commitments and lost revenues. Furthermore, the traditional approach to layered security has not been fully effective in meeting new security threats in the open, Internet-based network environment.
NetDevices Unified Services Gateways
NetDevices Unified Services Gateways are purpose-built solutions architected from the ground up to unify multiple branch office networking services on a single platform and deliver unprecedented levels of serviceability and availability to manufacturing-oriented enterprises. With its rich set of innovative, next-generation features, NetDevices unified services gateways are ideally suited to meet the remote office networking requirements of manufacturers. The key features of NetDevices services gateways and the benefits for manufacturers are summarized below.
| Key Benefits | Benefits for Manufacturing Enterprises |
| Unified services on one platform with full modularity - Firewall, VPN, Voice, Routing, QoS, Ethernet Switching |
- Simple deployment - both network & security services on one platform
- Modular addition of new services on an as-needed basis
- Low CapEx to expand into new regions
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Innovative approach to unifying and securing multiple branch services
-Unique OnePassTM packet classification & inspection coupled with LifelineTM management framework |
- High performance & scalability via OnePass approach
- Fast response to even the most sophisticated DoS attacks & other security threats
- Efficient propagation of new security filters & updates to all branch offices
- Uninterrupted system access under even the most adverse conditions
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Always available access to system management with 100% remote manageability
- LifelineTM management framework |
- Efficient operations & management - all sites managed from Manufacturer NOC
- Easy addition of new services via remote upgrades
- Easy expansion into new branch sites - ship chassis, remotely configure & provision services
- Rapid trouble-shooting & recovery from problems
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