Deutscher Tierschutzbund e.V.

Animal welfare with new connection

Since 1881, the Deutsche Tierschutzbund e.V. (German Animal Protection Association) endeavors to raise people‘s awareness of animal welfare. Today, this idea is more important than ever, which is why the holding organization of numerous German animal welfare groups emerged as a very modern institution with several locations. Unfortunately, the interconnection of these sites was not able to keep up with the progress of the organization. Until now, the system used so far was complicated and unadaptive to modern demands. Moreover, it was contrary to the ambition of downsizing the IT department. Here, the Viprinet technology provided the ideal solution.

Overview of benefits

Higher bandwidth
Maximum availability
Lean IT
Lower running costs

The task

The two main targets of modernizing Deutsche Tierschutzbund e.V.’s intranet were to centralize site interconnection and to replace the outdated and particularly complex VPN-Cisco-infrastructure. Upgrading the solution used so far would have involved high hardware costs and the acquisition of additional expensive SDSL connections. Autonomous service and administration of the Cisco devices was impossible without special expertise, which had to be purchased from an external source. Moreover, loss of connectivity would have engendered incalculable costs - this poses a big risk for a business financed only via small membership fees. On that account, Deutsche Tierschutzbund e.V. decided to reorganize their IT structure. The branch offices should be linked via the headquarters, outdated servers should not be replaced. In addition, more bandwidth and higher availability at low running costs were desired. Finally, the Internet connection should be easier to set up and maintain.

Implementation

The previous network was replaced step by step. In September 2009, a test network was installed. For that, more DSL access lines were added and then bundled via a Multichannel VPN Router 300. Afterwards, one site was completely implemented into the company network via the Viprinet technology, another site in part. This was achieved by equipping the respective Multichannel VPN Router 300 of each location with two DSL modules. Each router then was connected to a receiver operated by Viprinet in its own computer center. Due to the very satisfying performance of the routers, the other branch offices will now also be modified to the new system. Until September 2011, the deployed VPN technology shall also be switched from VPN-Cisco to the Viprinet VPN Client. As a last step, the receiver in the Viprinet computing center will be replaced by a Multichannel VPN Hub located in the headquarters of the Deutsche Tierschutzbund by 2012.

Result

By now, two branch offices of the Deutsche Tierschutzbund have already been implemented into their network via Multichannel VPN Routers. In contrast to the previous system, employees now access one central server in their daily work. The involved demands for a reliable Internet availability will be easily met by the Viprinet bonding technology at low budget. In addition, employees are now able to independently administrate and adapt their network as needed.

Customer Opinion

Not only profit we from higher bandwidths and more reliability at short notice but also we expect to reduce costs with the option to flexibly adapt the implemented and required connections for future requirements. The realization by means of Viprinet enabled us to gradually upgrade the VPN networking of our branch offices while our VPN-Cisco network was operated in parallel.

Andrea Hauch, Chief of IT

Deutscher Tierschutzbund e.V.