Funkwerk Enterprise Communications

Funkwerk Enterprise Communications delivers 2700 bintec-brand multi-protocol routers to the German BP
NUREMBERG. Funkwerk Enterprise Communications GmbH, a Funkwerk AG company, outfitted more than 2000 Aral filling stations in Germany with bintec X2300is routers in the spring of 2004 to provide the filling station operators with access to a new communications platform created by the petroleum company. In addition, another 500 routers were installed to provide home offices and sales representatives on the road with secure access to the corporate network.

The pilot installation was run at the beginning of 2003 at some 50 filling stations in north-eastern Germany. The test phase went off very smoothly. Then the mass rollout was launched in the spring of 2004 and was successfully completed within just a few months.
As one advantage, this new connection was designed to optimize communications between the petroleum company and the individual filling station operators, who now have convenient access to “ROSIplus”, the Aral service portal, via the Internet at any time. As another, any downtime caused by defects has been reduced considerably by the use of an online trouble ticketing system.
“Based on our positive experience in the past, we opted once again to use bintec routers,” explained Jürgen Wobbe from the German BP AG. “In terms of providing secure network solutions and project support for large rollouts, Funkwerk Enterprise Communications GmbH impressed us once again in their display of absolute competence.” In 2001, the network specialist had already equipped more than 1000 BP filling stations in Germany and Austria with bintec routers.

bintec X2300is – flexible and secure

The bintec X2300is router was specially designed for use in branch offices and combines an ADSL router, an ISDN router, an ADSL modem and an Ethernet switch in a single unit. Consequently, it more than adequately meets all the demands that BP made on the solution. One of the deciding factors was the uniform configuration of all the bintec X2300is. Regardless of whether any particular filling station has a DSL or an ISDN connection, the router is able to recognize the primary interface. If no DSL connection is available, the router automatically sets up an ISDN connection. A comprehensive range of firewall and security mechanisms have been implemented to provide for secure communications.

Funkwerk Enterprise Communications GmbH in brief

Funkwerk Enterprise Communications GmbH (FEC) is the leading European vendor of professional network and communication solutions. The German company addresses professional users, such as companies, institutions and administration as well as carriers and Internet service providers (ISPs), and delivers highly reliable, high-quality products and solutions designed to meet market needs from four major areas of competence: IP Access, Security, Voice and WLAN. The network and communication solutions are marketed in Germany and abroad through indirect channels in a two-tier sales system. Funkwerk Enterprise Communications employs more than 170 people in total at several different company locations throughout Europe, the market on which the company is active. The FEC head offices are located in Nuremberg. FEC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Funkwerk AG, which has its head offices in Kölleda, Germany.

A brief profile of Aral AG

With more than 2600 filling stations, Aral AG, headquartered in Bochum, is the market leader in the German filling station business. The company has built a solid reputation as an innovative supplier of high-quality premium fuels during its 100-year history. The most recent example is the introduction of premium fuels under the name of "Ultimate 100" and "Ultimate Diesel" scheduled for the middle of this year. These fuels offer greater performance and emit fewer pollutants at a lower consumption. At the same time, Aral also demonstrated its leading position in the research and testing of future fuel alternatives by opening the world's largest public hydrogen fueling station in Berlin last November.
The German BP subsidiary is also very successful in the convenience store business. With shop sales amounting to approximately EUR 2.5 billion in 2003, the blue-and-white brand ranked 16th among retail companies in Germany. And with a turnover of EUR 132 million in the bistro business at filling stations, the company also comes in fourth among the fast-food suppliers.