THOR.LO streamlines infrastructure footprint with HP

23 Feb 2012 Palo Alto - THOR•.O Inc. has successfully integrated HP networking solutions into its HP Converged Infrastructure deployment to streamline communications, reduce costs and improve overall network productivity. North Carolina-based THOR.LO, a manufacturer of activity-specific socks, including those designed for hiking, hunting, fishing and skiing, needed to improve network efficiency to support growth and lower costs. After a thorough vendor review, THOR.LO chose HP Networking solutions to extend the flexibility and capabilities of its existing HP storage and server infrastructure.

In only six weeks, THOR•LO replaced existing infrastructure leased from Cisco with an HP Converged Infrastructure solution that delivers voice over internet protocol (VoIP) services and business applications at a lower cost of ownership.

"We needed a vendor that could deliver a converged network on a scale able to keep pace with our rapidly growing global business", stated Bart Russell, IT manager, THOR•LO. "HP provided exactly what we were looking for in a new network from initial hands-on services and support through implementation and after-sale support. We knew HP would deliver an outstanding solution, given our previous work with them, and once again HP went above and beyond to meet our business needs."

HP partner Insight, an Arizona-based global provider of information technology, hardware, software and service solutions, worked with THOR•LO on the deployment. THOR•LO implemented an HP FlexNetwork solution that includes HP 5500 Switch Series and HP 7500 Switch Series, as well as the HP MSM Controller Series and HP MSM Dual Access Point Series wireless mobility products to provide a robust, flexible unified network to simplify business processes and modernize business communications.

These new networking components joined the HP BladeSystem c7000 Enclosure and HP P6300 Enterprise Virtual Arrays storage solutions THOR•LO had previously deployed to provide a complete converged infrastructure that enables the company to effectively manage its expanding global business.

THOR•LO also implemented the HP Intelligent Management Center to simplify network management via a single pane of glass for operating a unified wired and wireless network.

As a result of deploying HP networking solutions, THOR•LO has:

• Streamlined business-wide communications by replacing three disparate phone systems with a single VoIP system;
• Reduced costs by 70 percent with its new VoIP phone system, which covered the cost of the HP networking solutions;
• Improved employee productivity by automating time-intensive and error-prone manual tasks with HP's streamlined management solutions; and
• Simplified data centre management by seamlessly connecting HP networking solutions with existing HP server and storage solutions.

Expert HP Technology Services personnel delivered a rapid, seamless deployment process, enabling THOR•LO to achieve a fully operational network in only six weeks.

HP is helping THOR•LO in its pursuit of becoming an Instant-On Enterprise. In a world of continuous connectivity, the Instant-On Enterprise embeds technology in everything it does to serve customers, employees, partners and citizens with whatever they need, instantly.