Alpha Systems/Phoenix Color Speeds Up Its Network With Leading Gigabit Ethernet Provider Foundry Networks.SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 10, 1998--Alpha Systems/Phoenix Color, the largest book component printer in the world, has increased the turnaround time (1) In batch processing, the time it takes to receive finished reports after submission of documents or files for processing. In an online environment, turnaround time is the same as response time. to the Pre-Press operators and boosted overall network performance by installing six Gigabit Ethernet An Ethernet standard that transmits at 1 Gbps. Used mostly to connect high-end workstations and servers as well as for network backbones, Gigabit Ethernet transmits full duplex from point to point using switches and half duplex in a shared environment (CSMA/CD) using a hub. switches from Foundry Networks Foundry Networks is a network system vendor selling high-end managed ethernet switches and routers. The company was founded in 1996 by Bobby R. Johnson, Jr. and is based in Santa Clara, California, USA. . CSR (1) (Customer Service Representative) A person who handles a customer's request regarding a bill, account changes or service or merchandise ordered. Agents in call centers are known as CSRs. See call center. is the main link between Alpha Systems/Phoenix Color's customers and the operations. Purchase orders, disks, mechanicals, slides, and live art are some of the components that the CSR tags with bar codes and logs into a networked database. Pre-Press operators use a combination of Silicon Graphics, SUN SparcStations, Macintoshes and PC workstations linked to Silicon Graphics Origin 2000 servers running Xinet FullPress with fiber channel attachments to disk RAIDs. "Job turnaround time is the key network requirement; and with the previous 100 Mbps switched Ethernet An Ethernet network that is controlled by a switch instead of a shared hub. The switch cross connects all clients, servers and network devices, giving each sending-receiving pair the full rated transmission speed. backbone, operators sat idle for too long waiting while files moved," said Scott Ralph, Alpha System's director of network operations. Three different locations have been upgraded to Foundry switched Gigabit backbones. The largest site has nearly 30 operators and now runs on FastIron switches, each configured with 16 100 Mbps Ethernet ports and two Gigabit uplinks. Two high-end workstations have Gigabit connections, and a TurboIron all Gigabit switch is being installed to upgrade this site to a total of six Gigabit clients. Another 25 Macintosh, PC, and Windows-NT users are directly attached to the FastIron 100 Mbps ports. "A great deal of our services rely on the flexibility and capacity of our networking system. The optimal digital workflow In print publishing, using the computer to lay out text and illustrations prior to creating film negatives for every page or going directly to plate. Prior to digital workflow, the typesetting and pre-press stages were far more time consuming and labor-intensive. that automates and integrates production processes is a key to enhancing service to our customers. Since our installation of Foundry products, everything is compatible with everything; digital proofing Preparing a sample of printed output on a computer printer before the job is printed on a commercial press. Contrast with Matchprint and soft proofing. is faster, and that makes our productions even more aggressive when meeting those critical deadlines," added Ralph. Foundry Networks Inc. is the leading provider of Gigabit Ethernet switches and switching routers. The company manufactures, markets and distributes ultra high performance, next generation switching and routing solutions for corporate networks. Foundry has won five prestigious awards including: Best of LAN (Local Area Network) A communications network that serves users within a confined geographical area. The "clients" are the user's workstations typically running Windows, although Mac and Linux clients are also used. Times, Network Computing's Editor's Choice, Data Communications Tester's Choice and Top 25 Hot Start-Ups, and Computerworld's Top 100 Emerging Companies. Foundry products have also been tested by the Tolly Group and Mier Communications. For more information about the company and its products, call 888/TURBO-LAN or visit the company's web site at http://www.foundrynet.com. -0- Note to Editors: Foundry Networks, FastIron and TurboIron are trademarks of Foundry Networks Inc. All other trademarks are the sole proprietary of their respected companies. CONTACT: Foundry Networks Inc. Jenni Brumfield, 408/731-3824 jenni@foundrynet.com |
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