• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Cequent Signs with Sprint for Virtual Private Network(s)

Posted on: Wednesday, 10 December 2003, 06:00 CST

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Dec. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- A new suite of virtual private network (VPN) data services from Sprint will deliver domestic and international voice and data services -- while helping to save time and money -- to Cequent. Cequent is a leading manufacturer, marketer and distributor of market-leading brands, lifestyle products, and accessories serving all aspects of towing, trailering, weight distribution, and cargo management needs for the recreational and commercial markets.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001013/SPRINTLOGO )

Sprint is delivering both network-based and customer premise equipment (CPE)-based Internet Protocol virtual private networks (IP VPNs). These solutions offer the reliability, flexibility, performance, and security capabilities of the SprintLink Global IP Network through different approaches to addressing global data needs for customers. Additionally, Sprint is delivering domestic and global frame relay services, dedicated and dial Internet Protocol (IP) services and all domestic and global voice services to Cequent.

"Sprint has the broad portfolio of services and was able to be a single source to meet our various business needs," said Robert Gingras, chief information officer, Cequent. "The VPN services from Sprint are specifically designed to make it easy for Cequent to expand and evolve our services as our business needs change. They also provide a foundation for our systems strategy." Cequent products include towing and hitch systems, trailer components and accessories, brake controls, cargo-carrying and rack systems.

The Sprint Network-based IP VPN offers a full selection of intranet, extranet, and remote access technologies, exceptional performance, and reliability backed by some of the industry's strongest service level agreements. The CPE-based IP VPN uses Cisco equipment to create an efficient, integrated platform including support for intranets, extranets, and remote access network applications.

"Sprint is seeing increasing demand for flexible, reliable, secure VPN solutions -- especially for companies with global data requirements," said Jay Highley, vice president, Sprint Business -- Central area. "Through our relationship with Cisco, we have the flexibility to offer VPNs to meet a wide range of needs and can deliver both network-based and CPE-based solutions. Cequent is using a hybrid VPN solution because it addressed its specific business challenges in the most complete and cost-effective way."

The manufacturing industry is a key vertical segment for Sprint. In order to meet the specific needs of manufacturing companies, Sprint has developed a customized portfolio of communications solutions.

Sprint and Cisco are aligned in a strategic relationship that focuses on meeting customer needs for IP equipment and services through shared market research, joint development of new products and technologies, and joint sales and marketing.

About Sprint

Sprint is a global integrated communications provider serving more than 26 million customers in over 100 countries. With approximately 68,000 employees worldwide and nearly $27 billion in annual revenues, Sprint is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying state-of-the-art network technologies, including the United States' first nationwide all- digital, fiber-optic network and an award-winning Tier 1 Internet backbone. Sprint provides local communications services in 39 states and the District of Columbia and operates the largest 100-percent digital, nationwide PCS wireless network in the United States. For more information, visit http://www.sprint.com/ .

About Cequent

Plymouth, Mich.-based Cequent, a Tri-Mas company, is an operating group that is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of accessories for light trucks, sport utility vehicles, recreational vehicles, passenger cars and trailers of all types. Products include towing and hitch systems, trailer components and accessories, and electrical, brake, cargo- carrying and rack systems. The group consists of five operating units: Cequent Towing Products, Cequent Trailer Products, Cequent Consumer Products, Cequent Electrical Products and Cequent Australia. Cequent draws upon a 75- year-old heritage of superior towing and trailer brands -- Draw-Tite(R), Reese(R), Hidden Hitch(R), Fulton(R), Wesbar(R), Bull Dog(R), SnowCo(R), and Tekonsha(R). Cequent employs approximately 2,070 associates.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001013/SPRINTLOGO AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org PRN Photo Desk, +1-888-776-6555 or +1-212-782-2840

Sprint

CONTACT: Jeff Shafer of Sprint, +1-913-794-3614,jeff.s.shafer@mail.sprint.com , or Heidi Grissom of Cequent, +1-734-656-3108,hgrissom@mailserver.drawtite.net

Web site: http://www.sprint.com/

More News in this Category