ECONOMICS

Juniper Networks announced that ASICS Australia, a leading sports footwear and performance apparel vendor, has deployed a highly-integrated security, routing and switching solution running the Junos operating system. This deployment enables ASICS to support continued business growth, improve operational efficiency and comply with ASICS global security requirements.

Due to its rapid growth in the local sportswear market, ASICS Australia recently relocated to a larger office in Eastern Creek, New South Wales, taking the opportunity to upgrade its network, with particular emphasis on security. Alphawest, a wholly owned subsidiary of Optus, provided ASICS with Juniper Networks SRX240 Services Gateways and EX2200 Ethernet Switches to create a cost-effective, secure and highly-reliable branch business network.

"It is critical our network is secure and is based on best-in-class IT infrastructure to support our growing business," said Andrew O'Neill, IT manager, ASICS Australia. "The Juniper Networks solutions we have deployed bring our infrastructure up to the standard of the global corporate IT environment and increase operational efficiency by enabling us to maximise the benefits of secure remote access."

Robust remote access features are particularly important to ASICS since, in addition to workforce mobility, the company also provides retailers and logistics companies with access to its ERP system. The Juniper Networks SRX240 integrates security with fast, highly-available switching and routing and application capabilities in a single device, which enables ASICS Australia to economically deliver new services, safe connectivity and a satisfying end user experience.

"The Juniper SRX Series are well suited for companies like ASICS because they pull everything together in a very neat and manageable package while providing serious enterprise security, functionality and reliability," said Ian Smith, chief executive officer, Alphawest.

At ASICS Australia, Alphawest implemented Juniper Networks SRX240 Services Gateways in a high-availability cluster to deliver load-balanced performance and operational continuity. As well as handling switching, routing, firewalling with role-based remote access, the SRX240 Services Gateways also provide network-wide threat visibility and control.

"Distributed enterprises like ASICS depend on secure and reliable network infrastructures," said Mark Iles, vice president, Juniper Networks ANZ. "Our integrated switching, routing and security solution delivers sophisticated capabilities in an easy-to-use package, enabling organisations to flexibly address the needs of local and global network infrastructure and rapid business expansion, with reduced costs and improved value."

ASICS Australia manages its new networking environment with Junos(R), Juniper Networks high-performance network and security operating system, and has invested in training its staff under the Juniper Networks Certification Program. "We wanted a network that required little maintenance and that's exactly what we got. We feel confident that having the staff trained by Juniper early on will alleviate any potential difficulties moving forward," said O'Neill.