Verizon Business Wraps Up Communication for Elopak With Complete Managed Global Network

Verizon Business Wraps Up Communication for Elopak With Complete Managed Global Network

Managed Private IP Network for Global-Packaging Leader Increases Cost Efficiency by 25 Per Cent

READING, U.K. – 19 October 2006 – Verizon Business today announced the successful deployment of an extensive Managed Private IP network for Elopak, the global packaging group. Elopak, the inventors of the first paperboard carton, has connected 40 offices across Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East using a managed Verizon Business MPLS network. By consolidating its communications infrastructure onto a single managed platform, Elopak has increased the cost-efficiency of its network by up to 25 per cent. [1]

Elopak employs more than 2,500 people at various locations around the world. Its sites vary in size, with some only consisting of two or three workers – and all employees rely on applications and communication tools hosted on hubs at Elopak’s headquarters in Norway and in North America to support daily operations. The reliability and availability of communications access to these hubs is therefore of vital importance for the company.

Verizon Business has implemented a fully hosted and managed service for Elopak, enabling the company to concentrate on achieving its strategic business goals rather than being concerned about possible technical problems and maintenance. In addition, the company was able to offer a variety of access methods to these hubs, including DSL for Elopak’s smaller sites and high-bandwidth Ethernet and fibre for the larger ones, making sure that each access method was tailored to the demand and budgets of each site.

Bjørn H. Moshuus, corporate IT director at Elopak, explains: “Elopak has vital sites in all three continents, and communications with remote sites has historically been challenging for us due to poor reliability, costs and lack of coverage. Verizon Business’ global IP reach has given us an essential, reliable and secure connection, which enables us to focus on our business, rather than worrying about connectivity. All of our workers, whether they are remote mobile workers or located within our large or small sites, can now benefit from the same high-quality connectivity. This, combined with the transparency and cost efficiency of the Verizon Business solution, has been invaluable to the success of our business.”

John Irvine, vice president of international marketing for Verizon Business, said: “Elopak is an exciting brand to work with, and we are pleased to be able to support its global presence with our extensive IP network. Our advanced communications portfolio of data and voice solutions ensures that all of Elopak’s workers around the world can work effectively, as one virtual team, securing the success of the Elopak business as a leading global company.”

About Elopak
At the centre of Elopak’s well established range of packaging solutions is the Pure-Pak carton, the world’s first paperboard carton.
Based in Norway, and wholly owned by the Ferd Group (one of Norway’s largest privately owned industrial groups) Elopak is continually modifying its packaging expertise to match changing world demands for packaged food. Elopak’s business is to break new ground at every level of packaging; processing standards, food science, logistics analysis, packaging concepts, all alongside a total systems approach which uniquely characterises Elopak’s contribution to the world of packaging.
Half a century of continuous development sees a truly global corporation operating on every continent. With in depth penetration through a network of market units and associates in more than 40 countries and customers in over 100, the Elopak Group seeks to bring its international expertise and product technology to new markets.

About Verizon Business
Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), is a leading provider of advanced communications and information technology (IT) solutions to large business and government customers worldwide. Combining unsurpassed global network reach with advanced technology and professional service capabilities, Verizon Business delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world. For more information, visit www.verizonbusiness.com.

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[1] Source: Elopak based on cost savings seen compared to incumbent network