W.R. Grace Uses Innovative "In-the-Wall" Switch to More Efficiently Collaborate on Experiments, Save Time and Reduce Costs
MARLBOROUGH, Mass., Dec. 17, 2003 /Wi-Fi Technology News/- Engineers at global chemical company W.R. Grace needed greater network connectivity to more effectively conduct experiments and share analyses at their research and development (R&D) facility. Rather than add desktop switches and new cabling at an average of $400 per drop, W.R. Grace turned to an innovative device from 3Com Corporation (Nasdaq: COMS) that quadruples network connections and reduces the need to install additional cable.
W.R. Grace is now using two models of the 3Com? Network Jack, a unique "in-the-wall" four-port switch that eliminates the need to purchase or install more cable. The company has deployed NJ100 systems and managed NJ200 devices within its Maryland facilities.
"Ultimately, the 3Com Network Jacks were a good fit," said Dennis McKenzie, senior network analyst in the information technology (IT) department. "The devices have made our IT staff more efficient and productive, all at a very affordable price. It's not too often that we see a solution with that type of win-win effect."
"We were running out of network ports, and were looking for more cost effective ways of increasing the number of available ports," said Bob Coelho, an IT manager at one manufacturing facility. "Using 3Com Network Jacks, we quadrupled our network connections using existing cable runs and gave our engineers the connectivity they needed."
More Ports, More Collaboration, Less Complexity
The plug-and-play 3Com Network Jacks have had the biggest impact in the W.R. Grace R&D laboratories. R&D engineers often need to add or move networked analytical equipment to different locations to conduct experiments and tests and share results. They also need flexibility to move computers to different work areas to complete their work. Previously, the low number of live network ports limited the locations where the engineers could work, and the number of devices that could be connected to the network.
Without the convenient, affordable 3Com Network Jacks, the W.R. Grace IT team was planning to deploy additional switches in already tight wiring closets, run more cabling and install risers in the laboratory areas to thread the wiring. The 3Com Network Jack solution cost less than a quarter of the initial cost estimate.
Today, with the installation of 3Com Network Jacks, engineers work in an environment with enough live ports to connect their testing and desktop systems to the network. This ensures that engineers can quickly and productively share experiment and test results with colleagues and customers. Engineers also routinely bring their notebooks to lab areas, enabling better multi-tasking and employees can take their laptops to conference rooms and are now assured of network access.
The training areas also benefit from 3Com Network Jacks. Rather than tie up 20 ports on a workgroup switch with the 20 training room computers, five Network Jacks provide the requisite network connections, employing a minimal amount of switch ports in the wiring closet. The 3Com Network Jacks are also deployed in printer rooms and the IT department, areas with a high density of networked equipment.
3Com Network Jacks have simplified the IT department's job. Using the manageable NJ200s allows W.R. Grace to set up virtual LANs (VLANs), which provide separate networks for administration and production to co-exist on the same physical network. The 3Com Network Jacks are also reducing the number of demands on IT staff, such as having to deploy a small hub on short notice to support multiple users in a conference room. The indicator lights, which clearly show a user that the device is on, eliminate the hassle of tracing jack terminations back to a switch to see if the port is live.
Terry Roberie, director of FCC evaluations said, "The additional network ports in the laboratory areas have made our research professionals and technicians more efficient and reduced the time it takes to analyze data."
About 3Com
3Com is a leading provider of innovative, practical and high-value voice and data networking products, services and solutions for enterprises of all sizes and public sector organizations. For further information, please visit http://www.3com.com.
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