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CheckPoint Software > Case Studies > VPN-1 Power Facilitates IT Consolidation at Electrolux

VPN-1 Power Facilitates IT Consolidation at Electrolux

Technology Category

Networks & Connectivity - Gateways

Applicable Industries

Cement
Electrical Grids

Applicable Functions

Maintenance

Use Cases

Construction Management
Remote Control

Services

System Integration

The Challenge

Since the 1990s, Electrolux has experienced significant growth and acquisitions, leading to a lengthy process of reorganization. For the IT organization, this meant consolidating infrastructure, focusing resources into a few data centers, and emphasizing connections between these data centers, business offices, and production plants. Connections with the remaining server farms at local sites were equally important. Electrolux had approximately 600 UNIX and Windows servers and about 70 AS/400 systems in Europe, as well as a mainframe. Over time, especially following acquisitions, various problems arose due to the integration of disparate information systems. VPNs had to be established to link different equipment and operating environments while maintaining their ability to be remotely managed. In 2005, Electrolux accelerated the process to optimize its infrastructure and solve the problems of managing such a widely distributed system.

About The Customer

Electrolux Group is a leading international market player in the kitchen appliances, housecleaning solutions, and gardening equipment industry. The company prides itself on being at the forefront of technological and innovative progress in its industry. Every year, consumers from more than 150 countries purchase over 55 million products from Electrolux. Its well-known brands for home and professional applications include AEG, Electrolux, Eureka, Frigidaire, Husqvama, and Zanussi. In 2006, Electrolux had sales of 104 billion Swedish Kronor (U.S. $15.9 billion) and 59,500 employees.

The Solution

Electrolux has been using Check Point solutions since 1995 to protect its Internet access gateways and communications between different business units. Electrolux adopted Check Point VPN-1 Power and VPN-1 SecureClient to secure point-to-point links and to enable IPSec-based remote access. Meanwhile, centralized remote management was established with SmartCenter, which is used primarily to manage firewalls at the European level, enabling maintenance of a unified, homogeneous policy across the continent. In the diverse environment that Electrolux operates in, the platform neutrality of VPN-1 Power assumes special importance. The flexibility of Check Point solutions has enabled the IT organization to deal with a broad range of scenarios.

Operational Impact

The adoption of Check Point solutions has significantly eased Electrolux's IT consolidation process. The platform neutrality of VPN-1 Power has been particularly beneficial in the diverse environment that Electrolux operates in. The flexibility of Check Point solutions has enabled the IT organization to deal with a broad range of scenarios, effectively addressing the challenges posed by the integration of disparate information systems. The centralized management capabilities of Check Point have also been highly valued by the Electrolux IT organization. Looking forward, Electrolux plans to consolidate the administration for all of its EMEA’s firewalls and VPNs, and is considering Check Point Connectra and SSL Network Extender to further enhance its secure remote access capabilities.

Quantitative Benefit

Secured point-to-point VPN connections across a diverse range of equipment and operating environments
Enabled IPSec-based secure remote access, enhancing the company's ability to manage its widely distributed system
Established centralized remote management of firewalls, maintaining a unified, homogeneous policy across Europe