Seasonall Automotive Secures Wi-Fi With LucidLink to Boost Productivity, Sales

Wireless Network Becomes Nucleus of Automotive Center's Day-to-Day Operations

ROCHESTER, N.Y., July 7 -- No longer the domain of college campuses or high-tech offices, the power of Wi-Fi wireless connectivity and the surging demand for the technology has reached all types of businesses -- even automotive service centers. Traditionally home to oil-stained mechanics, automotive repair shops are recognizing the power of secure wireless networks and are pushing to adopt the technology.

One such service center is the Rochester, NY-based Seasonall Automotive Service Center, which has recently installed 10 wireless workstations mounted on portable dollies for use by the company's automotive technicians. These workstations have been linked together over a wireless network, and have been secured with LucidLink, the leading wireless security software for small businesses produced by Interlink Networks.

When Chris Atwood, Seasonall's CEO, realized that his mechanics were spending too much time waiting to use the few desktop PC's in his shop, he quickly moved to invest in a wireless computing network.

"My mechanics would all be huddled around one of our PC's, waiting their turn to look something up or to check a customer's service record," said Atwood. "It was frustrating, both to them and to me, because they would have to wait in line to get the information they needed and I had to stand by and watch their productivity go down. As soon as we installed the network we immediately saw the benefits; our technicians were completing jobs more quickly and there was less time spent waiting to use the workstations."

Seasonall Automotive enlisted the help of Capital Performance Analysts, a local systems integrator, to install the network. The company wanted to install a low-maintenance, yet highly secure wireless system that would not complicate business with technological complexities, constant updating, multiple configuration options, or endless calls to technical support.

"We knew that Seasonall Automotive would need to rely heavily on their wireless network," said Craig Julien, President of Capital Performance. "Thus, we recommended LucidLink from Interlink Networks. LucidLink offers a high level of protection without the administrative overhead, which was perfect for Seasonall Automotive, as they were searching for a fully functional, secure wireless network that would not interfere with their day-to-day operations."

With help from Capital Performance, Seasonall Automotive installed a firewall and a DSL line to provide connectivity to the four 3Com access points and switch, while LucidLink's wireless server authenticates user access to the network.

The LucidLink Wireless Client software was downloaded to each workstation, and each user was authenticated and secured with a couple of clicks. In order to allow Seasonall's part-time bookkeeper to access the corporate database, the company utilized the LucidLink software to partition the network by granting the appropriate access rights to users, depending on their status and role (visitor, employee, contractor, etc.). Seasonall's bookkeeper can now access the corporate network through a Virtual Private Network without exposing the system to external infiltration.

Best of all, Seasonall doesn't have to be technical experts to manage its network. "With LucidLink, I don't have to know how the networks operates -- I just click to add users to the directory, and then use the LucidLink console to click on access rights. The program applies the needed security and I don't lift a finger or worry about it," says Atwood. "The best part is that we can just wheel the entire workstation to wherever we want and it works, no problem."

Although it has been difficult to pinpoint the exact ROI figures, Atwood is convinced that his wireless network has more than paid for itself.

"Giving every employee their own wireless station has been a tremendous morale booster for them," said Atwood. "The workplace has become more high- tech, more professional, and you can see the effect, just in how the mechanics carry themselves and complete their work. It's a liberating feeling- analogous to giving someone a cellular phone instead of making him find a payphone every time he wants to make a call."

About Interlink Networks

Interlink Networks, Inc. is a 12-year leader in network security software solutions. The company's new signature software, LucidLink Wireless Security, was awarded "Product of the Year" by CRN Magazine, and is the only product to win two consecutive "Best in Show" Wi-Fi Planet awards. Interlink's technology awards include COMNET New Product Achievement Award Finalist, Communication News Editors' Choice Award, and Network Computing Well-Connected Award Finalist. Interlink Networks is headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan. For more information, call (734) 821-1231 or visit http://www.lucidlink.com/ .