Created on 22.4.2009
Dorset County Council Improves Flexible Working with Wireless Connectivity
Wireless technology deployment transforms efficiency of local services
Networking and security integrator Khipu Networks today announced that Dorset County Council is deploying Alcatel-Lucent’s wireless technology to enable greater home and remote working for its staff, allowing the council to benefit from improved workforce mobility and responsiveness.
The Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) network, based on Alcatel-Lucent’s Omni Access wireless technology, is being rolled out across a number of council offices – as well as public buildings such as libraries – in order to give both council staff and the general public wireless access to network and internet resources. Approximately 500 laptops are currently registered on the council’s network and could benefit from wireless provision, while Khipu continues to roll out the network to new council premises across the county, further extending wireless access.
Dorset’s wireless network will help to improve staff productivity by providing them with access to central council resources and key applications at all times. By plugging-in a small remote access point (AP) into any ADSL connection, workers can extend the council’s wireless service – wherever they are nationwide – creating a secure VPN tunnel from their location to the county hall wireless controller. Furthermore, the deployment has already proved worthwhile after the council experienced a power outage. The wireless network meant remote and home workers remained unaffected and were able to continue working as normal.
“Like many organisations, we’ve seen demand for home working rise considerably in the last few years – as a local council, we’re tasked with trying to meet these staff needs without compromising the provision of public services,” said Paul Samways, ICT Infrastructure Officer at Dorset County Council. “By deploying a wireless solution that offers secure and easy access to our network, irrespective of location, we’re now able to ensure that flexible working actually translates into quicker staff response times and a better quality of service for our citizens.”
Khipu and Alcatel-Lucent’s offering was selected primarily due to its enhanced security. Network access for both council staff and guest users is safeguarded by a range of different security modules implemented by Khipu, including wireless intrusion protection and rogue access point detection. These continuously scan the network to ensure a high-level of security is upheld at all times.
“Local councils are leading the way when it comes to flexible working, and effective WLANs now form an essential component of these policies. By extending the network into council workers’ homes and allowing access from all over the UK, location no longer needs to inhibit staff productivity or availability,” said Matt Ashman, commercial consultant at Khipu Networks.
Dorset County Council has future plans to expand the wireless access to further local sites, including village halls, allowing even more council employees and citizens to benefit from its functionality.
“Dorset County Council is utilising its WLAN to give staff a better work/life balance, while ensuring they always have the resources necessary to deliver a high level of service to county residents,” said David Parker, vice president for Alcatel-Lucent’s enterprise activities, UK & Ireland. “The council is transforming itself into a secure and dynamic organisation through the intelligent use of technology, and this deployment can serve as a blueprint for many other public sector organisations.”
For further information please contact KHIPU.
About Khipu Networks
Khipu Networks is a UK-based advanced systems integrator, focusing on supplying innovative secure compliant infrastructure solutions across the public and private sector. The company is a leading adopter of new and best-in-breed technology – expert technical staff ensure that customers get the solutions they need, when they want them and how they need them. The ethos is to ensure that the customer has the edge on the security and compliance of their network and not the attacker. Hampshire based Khipu Networks Ltd is the security division of the White Clarke Group of companies. Khipu Networks is an Alcatel-Lucent Direct Partner (specialists in wireless) and the exclusive reseller of Bradford Campus Manager in the UK and Ireland. Khipu was also awarded Alcatel-Lucent Business Partner of the Year 2008. www.khipu-networks.com.
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