GrafTech Selects Virtela for Global Network Performance and Superior Customer Service

DENVER, July 7 /PRNewswire/ — Virtela, the global network solutions company, today announced that GrafTech International has selected Virtela to deliver a high-performance enterprise network to its sites in North America and Europe. Virtela’s global footprint, flexible network architecture and commitment to high-touch customer service provide GrafTech with a fast and reliable network that maps directly to its business needs and budget.

For GrafTech, finding a global provider with strong network resiliency, deep technical expertise and a proactive approach to service was a priority. “We had several key issues we wanted to address with our change of network provider,” explains David Hilmer, GrafTech’s Global Director of IT. “GrafTech being a LeanSigma company focused on continuous improvement, we needed a partner who would listen to our needs, not provide a one size fits all approach, and adjust quickly as our needs changed. Virtela put together an account team which crafted a proposal that addressed all our needs, drove business value, and reduced our overall cost. This customer focus has continued even now that our network is live.”

Virtela empowers IT to drive business results, delivering superior network services when, where and how customers demand it. Virtela leverages hundreds of network infrastructures worldwide while owning critical network assets that ensure optimal performance and resiliency. This model differentiates Virtela from competitors and makes the company uniquely positioned to support strategic, business-focused IT with the right network in the right place at the right price.

“Virtela is extremely proactive and service-oriented, and their flexible network architecture allows us to adapt our network easily to changing business needs,” said Dennis Jones, global infrastructure manager at GrafTech. “Virtela was able to integrate with our existing environment in whatever way we needed.”

Virtela provides GrafTech with a redundant 24-site MPLS network with DSL back up. This ensures business-critical applications and communications remain available even if a primary circuit fails. In addition, Virtela complements GrafTech’s network with comprehensive security services, including managed firewall, URL filtering and Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) services, which support the company’s security-focused business objectives.

“GrafTech exemplifies many leading mid-market multinational companies that face the same networking challenges as the Global 500, and this is one of the markets that we serve best,” said Virtela CEO Steve King. “Virtela is experiencing incredible growth as companies like GrafTech realize the proven benefits of partnering with a managed service provider for technical expertise, global partnerships and hassle-free operations.”

About Virtela

Virtela Communications Inc. delivers award-winning network and security solutions to many of the world’s largest and fastest-growing multinational companies. Currently serving customers across six continents, Virtela’s network reach spans more than 190 countries. Virtela’s unique Global Service Fabric(SM) offers the foundation for delivering critical applications via the company’s acclaimed service methodology, with a services suite that includes MPLS- and IP-based virtual private networks (VPNs), security services, remote monitoring and management of WAN/LAN infrastructure, and converged services (data, video, voice).

Virtela is headquartered in Denver, Colorado, with a second Network Operations Center in Mumbai, India. Virtela is a member of Juniper Networks (Nasdaq: JNPR) Managed Network Solutions Preferred Alliance Program. For more information, please call +1 (720) 475-4000 or visit www.virtela.com.

About GrafTech International Ltd.

GrafTech International Ltd. is one of the world’s largest manufacturers and providers of high quality synthetic and natural graphite and carbon based products and technical and research and development services, with customers in 70 countries engaged in the manufacture of steel, automotive products and electronics. The Company manufactures graphite electrodes, products essential to the production of electric arc furnace steel. GrafTech also manufactures thermal management, fuel cell and other specialty graphite and carbon products for, and provide services to, the electronics, power generation, solar, oil and gas, transportation, petrochemical and other metals markets. The Company operates 11 manufacturing facilities strategically located on four continents. For additional information on GrafTech International Ltd., visit the Company’s website at www.graftech.com.

SOURCE Virtela Communications Inc.