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Langston University Selects Enterasys for Cost Effective Network Connectivity
Leading Multi-cultural Institution Provides Always-On Connectivity While Reducing HelpDesk Complaints
Barry Cioe
Enterasys Networks
+1 978 684 1525
Andover, MA — Apr 6, 2009
Enterasys Networks Inc., the Secure Networks Company™, today announced that Langston University, a land grant historically Black institution of higher learning, has selected Enterasys to securely connect more than 4,000 students and 247 University staff across multiple campus buildings in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Enterasys solutions enable Langston University’s traditional and distance learning students as well as faculty and staff to enjoy seamless, “always-on” network reliability – at a fraction of the cost of other networking vendors.
Since 1897, Langston University has offered culturally diverse students the opportunity to achieve educational excellence in arts, sciences and humanities, as well as business, agriculture, education, nursing and health professions. Based in Langston, Oklahoma, the University has experienced rapid growth in recent years, establishing additional campus locations in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Because of this expansion, the University’s IT staff faced the challenge of rolling out unified IT connectivity services that enhance the curriculum, while enabling students and staff members to securely connect to University services — without exceeding IT budget and personnel constraints.
Pritchard Moncriffe, CIO at Langston University elaborates, “We selected Enterasys solutions because they were compatible with our existing IT infrastructure, at a price point that other leading vendors couldn’t come close to matching. At a smaller university, budget and return on investment criteria are always a primary consideration when partnering with a solution provider. Enterasys was the only company that delivered an affordable, robust, and reliable solution that we could understand and would last a long time without putting a strain on our existing resources.”
Today, Langston’s Enterasys network connects more than 3,000 devices spread across three separate locations, consisting of multiple buildings including classrooms, administration offices and student residences. After the installation, the system quickly provided additional benefits that were not anticipated. “Most days, my staff are able to leave for home on time. That was unheard of before Enterasys. We are also able to focus on implementing long-term processes and standards for the network – something that we didn’t have time to do before,” Moncriffe added.
Prior to implementing Enterasys solutions, Moncriffe points out that morale was low among the IT staff, which spent long hours responding to user complaints and network security issues. Today, University staff network access is kept separate from student access by design, using Enterasys N-Series® Switches. Mobile users log in securely thanks to the RoamAbout® Wireless solution, while Moncriffe and his small staff of three network operations personnel manage it all with the complete, granular network visibility and control of the simple-to-use Enterasys Network Management Suite.
As a busy CIO, Moncriffe also points out the importance of providing high-quality training, service and support on the new communications architecture. “The quality of training has been outstanding – Enterasys worked side-by-side with our team to transfer knowledge and demonstrate thought leadership without arrogance to ensure we could operate and maintain the system ourselves,” he said. “I receive consistent contact and encouragement from the Enterasys support team, ensuring that the network is exceeding our expectations. The Enterasys solution does exactly what it promises, and their people have been very transparent and supportive when addressing our requirements.”
About Enterasys Networks
Enterasys is part of the Siemens Enterprise Communications Group, a Gores Group company. Enterasys networking solutions are used by thousands of customers in more than 70 countries worldwide to deliver business-oriented, identity-based visibility and control for voice, video, and data applications. The company’s open-architecture solutions make it easy to deploy role-based access controls for wired and wireless environments with integrated management, priority and security. The unique approach delivers investment protection, operational efficiency, and significantly reduced total cost of ownership. Large enough to be global, yet focused enough to deliver personalized support, the Enterasys culture is centered on the principle "There is nothing more important than our customers". More information about Enterasys hardware, software, services and training is available at
www.enterasys.com.
About Siemens Enterprise Communications Group (SEN Group)
The SEN Group is a premier provider of enterprise communications solutions. More than 14,000 employees in 80 countries carry on the tradition of voice and data excellence started more than 160 years ago with Werner von Siemens and the invention of the pointer telegraph. Today the company leads the market with its "Open Communications" approach that enables teams working within any IT infrastructure to improve productivity through a unified collaboration experience. SEN Group is a joint venture between the private equity firm, The Gores Group, and Siemens AG and incorporates Siemens Enterprise Communications, Enterasys Networks, SER Solutions, Cycos and iSEC. In fiscal 2008, The SEN Group generated revenues of approximately 3.21 billion Euros.
Siemens Enterprise Communications GmbH & Co. KG is a Trademark Licensee of Siemens AG.
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