Contact Information: Contact: Trent Waterhouse Enterasys Networks +1 978 684 1506 trent@enterasys.com Jackie Abramian BridgeView Marketing +1 617 584 2580 jackie@bridgeviewmarketing.com
Douglas County Public Utility District Relies on Enterasys Secure Network
Delivers "Zero Downtime" Connectivity and Video Conferencing Convergence While Ensuring Regulatory Compliance
| Source: Enterasys
ANDOVER, MA--(Marketwire - November 12, 2007) - Enterasys Networks Inc., the Secure Networks
Company™, today announced that the Douglas County Public Utility
District (DCPUD) in Washington State is leveraging secure convergence,
compliance and connectivity solutions from Enterasys in support of its
mission to deliver clean and efficient hydroelectric power with reliable
service at low rates to more than 36,000 residents and businesses. The
DCPUD relies on Enterasys network security solutions to adhere to stringent
state and federal regulatory requirements and licensing regulations across
its three main facilities, 12 sub-stations and two data collection centers.
"Our most pressing business priority within IT is to meet regulatory
requirements and automate compliance reporting activities for NERC, FERC
and other agencies," said Alex Di Giacomo, Power Systems Control Engineer
for Douglas County PUD. "Not only do we have our back-office and
customer-facing business applications connected to the Enterasys
infrastructure, but also our SCADA system and sub-station equipment for
power generation and grid distribution control. Enterasys has made it easy
for us to secure our networked infrastructure without requiring a large
staff to operate and maintain the system -- we have no personnel dedicated
to network operations as 4 technicians share the duties on a part-time
basis."
Delivering secure and reliable communications within and between its rural
sub-stations, district-wide facilities, and more importantly, at the 840
megawatt Wells Hydroelectric Project on the Columbia River; fiber optic
lines throughout 95% of its network avoid EMF interference derived from the
electromagnetically challenging Wells Project environment, while offering
better physical security and longer distances than copper lines. An Avaya
voice-over-IP (VoIP) and video conferencing solution is prioritized and
secured by the Enterasys network as DCPUD has never had to worry about
interoperability, bandwidth, latency or QoS issues.
"Enterasys ensures value across the lifecycle of our technology investments
as we trust them to adapt to our needs over time," continued Di Giacomo.
"We don't need to purchase a separate product for every new problem -- one
Enterasys device helps us do more with less based on their architectural
approach to embed network security. The long technology lifecycle has
protected our investments as devices we purchased 10 years ago are
supporting the latest and greatest policy-based security features."
Uninterrupted connectivity for the DCPUD means the reliable delivery of
electrical power and secure, online bill payment options for its valued
customers. Using Enterasys Matrix® N-Series switches and RoamAbout®
wireless controllers and access points for secure mobility, DCPUD employees
communicate using video conferencing to reduce travel costs and
environmental impact. The Enterasys Dragon® intrusion defense system is
integrated with NetSight® Automated Security Manager and Policy Manager
to dynamically respond to internal or external threats and automatically
enforce security throughout the entire network from core to edge -- while
still assuring the flexibility and mobility required for adaptive business
process workflow.
"Support from Enterasys is hands down better than any other vendor we work
with," according to Di Giacomo. "We appreciate that they never point
fingers and stay on the case to quickly fix the problem regardless of
whether the Enterasys hardware or software is the cause or not. Enterasys
has never let us down and cares about making sure we are successful with
practical, cost-effective recommendations. Enterasys also understands the
mission critical nature of our operations and provides effective support
that meets our needs. They are a valued business partner to help us achieve
our objectives."
About Douglas County PUD
Organized in 1936 and operating since 1945, Douglas County PUD is a
non-profit, locally owned Public Utility committed to the delivery of a
reliable utility services at the lowest possible cost consistent with sound
business principles. Douglas PUD provides electric service on par with the
largest systems in the nation -- delivering electricity at a price less
than the average nationwide wholesale price of power. For more
information, please visit www.dcpud.org.
About Enterasys Networks
Enterasys Networks -- the Secure Networks Company -- is owned by a private
investor group led by The Gores Group, LLC and Tennenbaum Capital Partners,
LLC. Enterasys' unique Secure Networks solutions secure any network to
ensure the confidentiality, integrity, availability and performance of IT
services and the business users that rely on them. Thousands of leading
companies, government agencies and educational institutions in more than 70
countries rely on Secure Networks solutions to maintain business continuity
and protect vital information. The company's culture is centered on the
principle "There is nothing more important than our customers." Delivering
on that commitment, Secure Networks provides granular, policy-based command
and control of individual user, application, device, port and flow
performance, and security. Enterasys' architectural approach to network
security offers a long technology lifecycle and significant operational and
business benefits, while reducing total cost of ownership. Information
about Enterasys' award-winning policy-enabled switches, routers, wireless
products, security software, and services is available at
www.enterasys.com.
About The Gores Group
Founded in 1987, The Gores Group is a private equity firm focused on
acquiring controlling interests in mature and growing businesses which can
benefit from the firm's operating experience and flexible capital base.
The firm combines the operational expertise and detailed due diligence
capabilities of a strategic buyer with the seasoned M&A team of a
traditional financial buyer. The Gores Group has become a leading
investor, primarily in the technology and telecommunications sectors,
having demonstrated over time a reliable track record of creating
substantial value in its portfolio companies alongside management.
Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, The Gores Group maintains offices
in Boulder, Colorado and London. For more information, please visit
www.gores.com.
About Tennenbaum Capital Partners, LLC
Tennenbaum Capital Partners is a Santa Monica, California-based private
investment firm managing over $3.8 billion in assets through private funds.
The firm's investment strategy is grounded in a long-term, value approach,
and it assists -- both financially and operationally -- transitional
middle-market companies in such industries as technology, healthcare,
energy, aerospace, business services, retail and general manufacturing.
Tennenbaum's core strengths include its in-depth knowledge of equity and
debt-financing vehicles in the public and private markets, as well as a
thorough understanding of special situations. For more information, please
visit www.tennenbaumcapital.com.