Conforama secures its WLAN network with Aruba Wireless Networks
WLAN specialist enables Conforama to inhibit rogue access points and ensure flexible and secure mobility for users of its wireless network.
Paris, November 19th 2003 - Aruba Wireless Networks, the leading provider of modular wireless LAN (WLAN) solutions, today announced that it has been chosen by the Conforama group, the world's number two home equipment retailer, to ensure the security and management of its enterprise WLAN network.
In order to facilitate meetings, the use of strategic applications and board members' mobility, Conforama decided to install a WLAN network at its company headquarters in Paris . The network, which was installed in October 2003, included access points for a staff of approximately 600. However, due to the vulnerability of these access points, the deployment of the wireless network gave rise to additional security issues.
“Faced with the threat of intrusion and security failures, we decided to look for a solution that would allow us to lock the wired environment and define users access rights,” stated Malek Goudjil, Head of Global Production at Conforama.
Conforama contacted the integrator Ipelium and together, they tested more than 10 solutions over a period of a month. Apart from the security criterion, the solution's ease of installation, ease of maintenance, ease of day to day management and return on investment were also factors taken into account. The company finally chose Aruba Wireless Networks' range of WLAN switches having proved to be the most effective, flexible, scalable and manageable solution available. The Aruba 5000 core switch's centralised intelligence also constituted a significant advantage as it allows efficient bandwidth management and detects coverage holes and RF interference, automatically reconfiguring the RF parameters in order to cover the entire building.
The solution was installed by the Ipelium, Aruba and Conforama technical teams and was operational within a day. Furthermore, because of its centralised intelligence, the gains in terms of time devoted to configuration and engineering are considerable.
Completely satisfied with the Aruba product, Conforama intends to extend its WLAN network, firstly to a number of sites in Europe , with shop mock-ups for internal use planned for early 2004.
“Aruba offers one of the most complete enterprise WLAN solutions on the market today, with a multi-level security archiecture including notably automated detection, prevention and inhibition of intrusions and wireless threats,” underlined Pascal Desaint, General Manager France and Southern Europe , Aruba Wireless Networks. “These security features enable us to meet the demands of our customers, both, of those deploying wireless computing and of those wishing to impede it!”
About Conforama
The Group CONFORAMA, the world's number 2 home equipment retailer, currently includes a total of 213 retail outlets worldwide under the CONFORAMA sign (47 affiliates) and 19 under the EMMEZETA sign. In France , 137 outlets are managed directly. The Group operates 48 outlets internationally. In 2002, the CONFORAMA Group generated a turnover of 2.9 billion euros and employed a staff of over 13,000.
About Aruba
Aruba Wireless Networks develops and markets centralized systems that enable corporations to secure their networks from the dual threats of Wi-Fi and mobility. Aruba 's solution consists of a full range of programmable security platforms designed to securely connect mobile users and mobile devices to corporate applications. Aruba is privately-held and has operations in the United States , Europe , Asia Pacific and India and employs staff around the world. Aruba has received over $30 million in two rounds of venture funding from top-tier venture firms - Matrix Partners, Sequoia Capital and Trinity Ventures. Visit Aruba Wireless Networks at http://www.arubanetworks.com .
Press contacts
Carol Pender/ Nadine Lang
Johnson King France
Tel 01.53.16.11.11
carolp@johnsonking.fr / nadinel@johnsonking.fr
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