GrafTech Selects Virtela for Global Network Performance and Superior Customer Service
DENVER, July 7, 2009 - Virtela, the global
network solutions company, today announced that GrafTech
International has selected Virtela to deliver a high-performance
enterprise network to its sites in North America and Europe.
Virtela's global footprint, flexible network architecture and
commitment to high-touch customer service provide GrafTech with a
fast and reliable network that maps directly to its business needs
and budget.
For GrafTech, finding a global provider with strong network
resiliency, deep technical expertise and a proactive approach to
service was a priority. "We had several key issues we wanted to
address with our change of network provider," explains David
Hilmer, GrafTech's Global Director of IT. "GrafTech being a
LeanSigma company focused on continuous improvement, we needed a
partner who would listen to our needs, not provide a one size fits
all approach, and adjust quickly as our needs changed. Virtela put
together an account team which crafted a proposal that addressed
all our needs, drove business value, and reduced our overall cost.
This customer focus has continued even now that our network is
live."
Virtela empowers IT to drive business results, delivering
superior network services when, where and how customers demand it.
Virtela leverages hundreds of network infrastructures worldwide
while owning critical network assets that ensure optimal
performance and resiliency. This model differentiates Virtela from
competitors and makes the company uniquely positioned to support
strategic, business-focused IT with the right network in the right
place at the right price.
"Virtela is extremely proactive and service-oriented, and their
flexible network architecture allows us to adapt our network easily
to changing business needs," said Dennis Jones, global
infrastructure manager at GrafTech. "Virtela was able to integrate
with our existing environment in whatever way we needed."
Virtela provides GrafTech with a redundant 24-site MPLS network
with DSL back up. This ensures business-critical applications and
communications remain available even if a primary circuit fails. In
addition, Virtela complements GrafTech's network with comprehensive
security services, including managed firewall, URL filtering and
Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) services, which support the
company's security-focused business objectives.
"GrafTech exemplifies many leading mid-market multinational
companies that face the same networking challenges as the Global
500, and this is one of the markets that we serve best," said
Virtela CEO Steve King. "Virtela is experiencing incredible growth
as companies like GrafTech realize the proven benefits of
partnering with a managed service provider for technical expertise,
global partnerships and hassle-free operations."
About GrafTech International Ltd.
GrafTech International Ltd. is one of the world's largest
manufacturers and providers of high quality synthetic and natural
graphite and carbon based products and technical and research and
development services, with customers in 70 countries engaged in the
manufacture of steel, automotive products and electronics. The
Company manufactures graphite electrodes, products essential to the
production of electric arc furnace steel. GrafTech also
manufactures thermal management, fuel cell and other specialty
graphite and carbon products for, and provide services to, the
electronics, power generation, solar, oil and gas, transportation,
petrochemical and other metals markets. The Company operates 11
manufacturing facilities strategically located on four continents.
For additional information on GrafTech International Ltd., visit
the Company's website at www.graftech.com.
About Virtela
Virtela, the world's largest
independent managed services company, offers award-winning
managed services including MPLS and IP-based Virtual Private
Networks (VPNs), Security, Remote Access, and WAN/LAN Device
Monitoring and Management, to some of the most competitive
multinational companies in the world. Offering services in 190
countries, Virtela integrates and manages best-of-breed service
providers through partnerships with 500+ carriers, to address the
unique needs of its customers. Virtela is headquartered in Denver,
Colorado, with Global Network Operations Centers in Denver, Mumbai,
India and Manila, Philippines. For more information, please call +1
(720) 475-4000 or visit www.virtela.net.
Media Contact:
Jane Morrissey
Virtela
720.475.4012 (office)
303.808.7671 (mobile)
jmorrissey@virtela.com
Susan Wise
Greenough Communications
(650) 646-3268 x11
swise@greenoughcom.com