Executive summary
Challenge: MAM Software Ltd is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of computer systems and data software to the automotive aftermarket in Britain and Ireland. MAM required an upgrade to a more robust, more resilient and higher performance network.
Solution: Claranet implemented a high performance pan-European MPLS network to which MAM added Claranet's managed hosting services.
Result: Happy to have found a partner who can provide both networks and hosting services, MAM now enjoys improved availability and a better service to customers.
Improving resilience and performance
MAM Software had a long relationship with their previous network partner, but now required an upgrade to a more robust, more resilient and higher performance network.
Our criteria for a new technology partner comprised three main areas: a pedigree in high-performance, high availability WAN provision; a commitment to accountability and transparency; and finally, the ability to add value to other areas of our business beyond the network. We found that in Claranet.
Director of Sales
MPLS network and managed hosting
Claranet approached the project by initially implementing a high performance pan-European MPLS network. The new network enables users to connect multiple sites within a company-wide Virtual Private Network (VPN), based on Claranet’s high-capacity, enterprise-grade backbone. This is sold on to customers under the MAM Network Solutions (MNS) brand name, which provides a range of flexible options including a choice of Service Level Agreements (SLAs), remote / home connectivity, line monitoring, internet breakout and dual line or 3G failover.
The highly-resilient network, coupled with choice of back-up connectivity, ensures that MAM Software experiences far fewer support calls than previously, while Claranet provides a second line of support. The flexibility of the service enables MAM Software to tailor its network service to its range of customers — so that it can provide ultra-high availability and multiple services for those that need it, and more basic services for smaller operators.
With the network in place, MAM Software was then able to take advantage of Claranet’s range of managed hosting services.
It had long been our goal to provide WAN and Autopart as a hosted solution, but finding a provider with expertise in hosting and connectivity was a challenge. There are very few partners with a suitable pedigree in both hosting and networks, but Claranet has that expertise. As a result of the initial networking partnership, we were then able to migrate our Autowork and Autopart software to Claranet's managed virtual hosting service.
Claranet provides virtual server infrastructure and manages the environment in which MAM Software’s applications reside. Claranet’s infrastructure uses best-of-breed technologies to ensure high availability and resilience, supported by their multi-award-winning Virtual Data Centre service.
Driving up availability and capability for customers
Before finding Claranet, it felt like we were providing two distinct services – our software and WAN provision. With Claranet now managing our connectivity and increasingly, the hosting of our software applications, we can offer a fully-packaged, end-to-end service, with a single provider responsible for all aspects of availability and performance.
Claranet took the time to look at what our business needed, not just the requirements that we set out in our tender. Their size means that they are able to provide a quality, high performance service, yet still be flexible and responsive. Their customer service especially is fantastic, with out-of-hours support and a dedicated account manager that we can get on the phone when we need him.
Consolidating the various aspects of our service with a single, high-quality provider has enabled us to protect our reputation and target more and bigger partners. The reputation, size and performance of Claranet will underpin the continued success of MAM Software for years to come.