Contact Information: Editorial Contact: Kristofer Konietzko Breakaway for iPass Tel: 415-358-2491 Email:
iPass Mobile Broadband Keeps Rural Pharmaceutical Reps Connected to CRM System
Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Field Sales Reps Overcome Significant Connectivity Challenges; Realize Increased Productivity, Improved Efficiency and Reduced Costs
| Source: iPass
REDWOOD SHORES, CA--(Marketwire - June 8, 2009) - iPass, Inc. (NASDAQ : IPAS ), a long-time
leader in providing mobility services to many of the world's largest
companies, today announced that Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI)
has deployed iPass Mobile Office and Mobile Broadband services for its
field sales force. The iPass services provide easy-to-use, on-the-go 3G
cellular broadband connectivity for BIVI's traveling sales representatives,
many of whom live and work in rural areas with limited options for Internet
connectivity and corporate network access.
BIVI, based in St. Joseph, Missouri, is a global leader in biological
research, development and manufacturing for the animal health business
producing an extensive line of biological and pharmaceutical products for
cattle, swine, horses and domestic pets. Its 180 field and sales
representatives had previously faced daily challenges getting their
company-issued tablet PCs connected to the BIVI
customer-relationship management (CRM) system, which contains
up-to-the-minute information that is critical to their success.
With iPass Mobile Office and 3G Mobile Broadband, the field team now can
access the CRM system anywhere there is a cellular signal, which has saved
time and costs and greatly increased productivity. The iPass Mobile Office
all-in-one connectivity solution integrates Wi-Fi, Ethernet and dial-up
services with 3G broadband, providing a single user interface that uses
their existing corporate login/password, enabling the reps to easily and
successfully connect virtually anywhere. Previously the sales force had to
find connections on its own, and reps acknowledge that the options when
traveling were limited and costly.
"As an IT organization, we're always looking for better ways to do things,"
explains Kevin Brunk, director of information technology, BIVI. "With
iPass, we are able to offer our people an all-in-one connectivity solution
that combines Wi-Fi and 3G wireless broadband with an interface that helps
people find available connections and identify the best one. It also
provides a very stable support model."
The BIVI IT department piloted the iPass service after learning that a
sister company was evaluating an iPass remote access solution. It tested
the iPass 3G cards and service with 15 representative users and determined
that the iPass offering met its service quality and coverage needs while
also providing cost benefits over using multiple services for connectivity.
The deployment has also made life easier for internal resources at BIVI.
Previously, when the IT department needed remote access to a user's machine
for troubleshooting or routine maintenance, the service had to be scheduled
well in advance, and the user sometimes had to travel. Now that service can
be arranged much more easily and conveniently for both the user and the IT
department. In addition, BIVI has expanded the iPass program to encompass
connectivity for traveling office-based workers.
"It is very satisfying to help a company like BIVI better serve its
customers by ensuring its field team and traveling employees can access
critical information and corporate resources, whether they're on the farm
or logging in from an airport or hotel," said Bryan Valko, vice-president
of sales at iPass. "The pervasive connectivity possible with 3G mobile
broadband is ideal for employees in rural or remote locations, especially
paired with the enhanced availability of iPass enabled high-speed Wi-Fi or
wired broadband. Combined with the other connectivity options of iPass
Mobile Office, it makes it possible for remote and mobile workers to get
connected virtually anywhere."
About BIVI
Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (St. Joseph, MO), is a subsidiary of
Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation based in Ridgefield, CT and a member of
the Boehringer Ingelheim group of companies. The Boehringer Ingelheim
group is one of the world's 20 leading pharmaceutical companies.
Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 138
affiliates in 47 countries and approximately 41,300 employees. Since it was
founded in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed to
researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel products of high
therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine. In 2008, Boehringer
Ingelheim posted net sales of US $17 billion (11.6 billion euro) while
spending approximately one-fifth of net sales in its largest business
segment, Prescription Medicines, on research and development. For more
information, please visit: www.bi-vetmedica.com.
About iPass Inc.
iPass helps enterprises unify the management of remote and mobile
connectivity and devices. With iPass software and services, customers can
create easy-to-use broadband solutions for their mobile workers, home
offices, and branch and retail locations, complete with device management,
security validation, and unified billing. iPass offerings are powered by
its leading global virtual network, on-demand management platform, and
award-winning client software. The iPass global virtual network unifies
hundreds of wireless, broadband and dial-up providers in over 160
countries. Hundreds of Global 2000 companies rely on iPass services,
including Ford, Nokia, and Procter & Gamble. Founded in 1996, iPass is
headquartered in Redwood Shores, Calif., with offices throughout North
America, Europe and Asia.
iPass® is a registered trademark of iPass Inc.