Partner: AstrumSat
Peplink Partner AstrumSat creates distributed commercial grade broadband networks with an emphasis on satellite communication. They incorporate satellite, DSL, cable, fixed wireless and other technologies to give their clients a single global network.
Replace Telephone Back-up
In January 2014, AT&T began to replace the copper-wired networks connecting telephones with Voice over IP (VoIP). Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) was going away. For AstrumSat’s Client, Allsup’s the telephone fallback for credit cards was no longer sensible.
Allsup’s manages credit card terminals from a central location with the stores themselves spread across the country, many in remote locations. The Satellite connection allowed one provider with one connection and hardware standard for all stores. Allsup’s wanted that same standardization for their back-up solution, and wanted to keep the reliability of the primary satellite connection. They needed a broadband failover option.
DSL or Cable connections would have required agreements and connection strategies with a number of different providers. There was no single wired technology available. Some of the locations had cable available, some DSL, and some had no wired broadband connection at all. Pricing would have varied from store to store depending on location and provider. Each technology would have required different hardware and connection protocols all of which would have exponentially increased support and cost.
Success Factors
Confidence
In a rare disaster situation while cable and DSL networks may remain down, the cellular networks are first priority for restoration, creating a high confidence back up.
Accountability
The InControl 2 software allows tracking of the exact serial number, IMEI number and SIM card numbers. If one store shows irregularly high cellular usage, the BR1 settings can be checked and adjusted remotely to correct the problem.
Cost
The cellular solution allowed a single low price for all stores.
Reputation
AstrumSat was able to recommend and implement Peplink systems because of the high reliability, enterprise level construction, and excellent reputation in the industry.
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Allsup’s Convenience Stores
Lonnie and Barbara Allsup started with a small “drive-in” grocery in Roswell, New Mexico in 1956. Today Allsup’s is still owned and operated by Lonnie and Barbara. Now they have over 300 stores in 160 towns and cities, but the basic formula of convenience, new products, and good systems has not changed. The Allsup’s stores are located in a variety of locations with a varying range of local connection options. For their credit card processing the Allsup’s stores had been using satellite connections with wired telephone lines as the backup option. The evolution of telephone service away from POTS connections meant the Allsup’s locations needed a new secondary connection option.
Pepwave MAX-BR1 & Peplink InControl 2 Software
Matthew Gerken at AstrumSat knew that the Peplink MAX routers would be the solution for his client. Working with FrontierUS, Gerken and AstrumSat were able to provide an identical turnkey set-up for each store that Allsup’s service team could install with a single set of instructions and protocols.
Frontier Computer Corp’s technical manager, Taylor, brought everyone together and created a proof of concept that tested the system on a limited basis. Within two weeks the full system was ready to roll out in blocks of 50 stores at a time. Each store was outfitted with a single Pepwave MAX-BR1. The BR1 managed the satellite connection with a built in cellular back up. Using the InControl 2 software all of the connections could be managed from one central location.
AstrumSat bundles and manages data from three cellular providers, AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon to deliver a single blended cost to Allsup’s. The InControl 2 software allows AstrumSat to monitor usage at each location. With InControl 2, they can assure maximum usage of the primary satellite data with limited failover to cellular for a 100% connection and minimum cellular fees.
