RideNow Powersports Turns to XO Communications for Nationwide IP-Based Networking Solution
- Leading Powersport Retailer Leverages XO’s MPLS IP-VPN for Cost Savings, VoIP Platform and Improved Point-of-Sale Operations
HERNDON, VA – October 13, 2008 – XO Communications(OTCBB: XOHO) today announced that it has successfully delivered a nationwide IP-based wide area networking solution to RideNow Powersports, the largest powersport dealership group in the country. RideNow chose to use XO’s Multiprotocol Label Switching based Internet Protocol Virtual Private Network (MPLS IP-VPN) solution to drive cost savings, enable a new, nationwide Voice over IP (VoIP) platform and augment all of their point-of-sale operations at 32 locations across the country.
RideNow is recognized as the largest powersport dealer group in the country, with 32 locations in six states selling motorcycles, ATVs and watercraft, parts and accessories. Until RideNow engaged XO for their network solution, all of their stores had different types of legacy systems, including cable, DSL and T1-based services. The arrangement made management of the network a time-consuming and expensive task, while different locations had trouble communicating sales information and transactions to headquarters.
“We knew we had to simplify our network and streamline our locations in order to save money and ensure our point-of-sale information was properly captured,” said Joe Hennessy, Director of Information Technology at RideNow Powersports. “XO offered expert management and an MPLS IP-VPN solution that was scalable and affordable. With it we can now concentrate on making sales and serving our customers as opposed to worrying about our network.”
XO MPLS IP-VPN provides faster data speeds than RideNow had with their legacy networks, enabled the company’s migration to VoIP, and delivers improved cost-efficiencies by converging voice and data traffic over a single IP network infrastructure. RideNow estimates that it has been able to reduce network administration time and costs by 22% due to its ability to consolidate all network operations over the XO MPLS IP-VPN solution. In addition to the wide area networking solution provided by XO, RideNow is also benefiting from XO’s broadband wireless capabilities for disaster recovery applications. XO has established a 100 Mbps broadband wireless connection directly to RideNow’s headquarters, which provides an additional layer of network redundancy in the event that its wireline connection is unavailable.
“RideNow is a perfect example of a company that is a tremendously successful business but had outgrown its legacy network,” said Brad Boddicker, sales vice president for the west region at XO Communications. “We’ve provided them with a cost-effective solution that has allowed all of their locations to seamlessly communicate through an efficient, managed network so that they can focus on their core business and never have to worry about point-of-sale downtime or unreliable service.”
XO MPLS IP-VPN
XO MPLS IP-VPN offers businesses and large enterprises a secure, intelligent and managed network to connect offices, customers and partners and converge a wide range of voice, video and data applications over a single IP network infrastructure. XO MPLS IP-VPN provides a wide range of access options to connect locations and flexible Classes of Services to prioritize Internet, intranet, extranet, voice, video and mission-critical business applications – all over a single, high performance application-aware IP network.
Key benefits of XO MPLS IP-VPN include:
- Nationwide Coverage – Broad coverage with service availability in 75 metropolitan markets across the United States
- Flexible and Scalable Network Architecture – MPLS-based network architecture provides a platform for any-to-any connectivity among all sites, and allows for quick and easy set up of new sites added to the network.
- Broad Range of Access Options – Customers can utilize the service with Dedicated Internet Access at speeds from T-1 through OC-X and Ethernet services.
- Robust Classes of Service – Optimize data traffic flows to support any type of application with one flat rate for access to all four classes of service.
- Fully Managed – Reduces total cost of ownership and provides 24x7 monitoring of network facilities and equipment.
For more information about XO MPLS IP-VPN or other XO services go to www.xo.com, or contact an XO sales representative by calling (866) 963-9696.
About RideNow
RideNow Powersports started in 1983 as a small Honda dealership operating out of a rented building in Chandler, AZ. It grew quickly to two stores, and soon became a collective of dealerships in the Arizona market operating under one management group.
Formerly known as the Arizona Motorsports Group, RideNow Powersports has grown rapidly in the last few years and now has 29 dealerships in Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, North Carolina and Florida employing over 1600 people. RideNow Powersports is now the largest retailer of Powersports vehicles and accessories in the United States. RideNow has been touted by industry leaders as the largest and most professionally operated Powersports dealer group in the country.
Motorcycles, ATVs and watercraft are synonymous with good times. RideNow Powersports believes buying them should also be a fun, friendly experience. We want to share our passion for the sport by offering the latest and greatest products at the best prices, paired with the best customer service, value and convenience in an effort to achieve total customer satisfaction
About XO Communications
XO Communications, a subsidiary of XO Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: XOHO), is a leading nationwide provider of advanced communications services and solutions for businesses, enterprises, government, carriers and service providers. Its customers include more than half of the Fortune 500, in addition to leading cable companies, carriers, content providers and mobile network operators. Utilizing its unique combination of high-capacity nationwide and metro networks and broadband wireless capabilities, XO offers customers a broad range of managed voice, data and IP services with proven performance, scalability and value in more than 75 metropolitan markets across the United States. For more information, visit www.xo.com.
Media Contacts:
Chad Couser/XO Communications
703-547-2746
chad.couser@xo.com
Chris Roche
Brodeur (for XO Communications)
202-775-2675
croche@brodeur.com
