Continental improves mobile data access

Car parts supplier cuts administration costs by enhancing data access for remote workers

Angelica Mari, Computing 03 Apr 2008

Automotive supplier Continental is using a single sign-on platform for secure corporate network access to improve efficiency of remote workers.

The service replaces multiple outdated systems which demanded intensive maintenance and training processes.

“We were struggling to cope with the demand from our user base. With so many types of technologies installed, support had become very difficult," said Continental’s head of networks and communications for corporate IT infrastructure, Hans-Peter Schober.

The main factor influencing the implementation of the new system was to provide customer-facing workers with reliable wireless access to email and critical corporate applications such as SAP while on the move or at home.

Under the new system, employees are provided with fast internet connections and access to corporate data under a single sign-on process.

“The rollout of the new system bodes well for the future, as we know that it will be simple to extend the architecture to accommodate potential business acquisitions,” said Schober.

With the mobile platform, Continental’s IT team has also improved visibility over data access and gained a better view of related administration costs, which are directly invoiced to a particular user’s cost centre, eliminating time-consuming processes.

“The new software has proven to be extremely popular with both our remote working employees and our administrators, saving everyone valuable hours,” said Schober.

“It is one part of our IT infrastructure that does not need constant supervision,” he said.

Continental’s mobile service combines wireless broadband access with connection management capabilities and was implemented by Global Telecom and Technology.

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