MPLS Provider Gets Down to the Nitty Gritty: Talks Acquisitions, Launches and Awards before the New Year Ball Drops

By Jamie Epstein, TMCnet Web Editor

With the New Year quickly approaching, it makes sense before turning the page to 2013 that we look back at the milestones made by MPLS provider UNSi in 2012. Founded in 2001 and continuously being highlighted by Inc. 500|5000 as one of the fast-growing private companies, the MPLS provider powers a robust and highly intuitive next generation network that offers a high level of performance and has a global reach. With various network operations centers, IT departments heavily depend upon UNSi’s services to not only initially create their network, but also keep it secure and manage it with ease over time.

2012 marked the time period in which UNSi, a company whose corporate headquarters are located in Lemont Furnace, Pa., acquired IPNetZone. This strategic move was made in order to power intelligent Internet connectivity in addition to enhancing its managed network services and monitoring of overall network assets for enterprise and carrier customers alike.

When commenting in regards to the merging of the two organizations, Francis D. John, president and CEO of UNSi said, “The combination of UNSi’s managed network service portfolio and the largest cable and DSL footprint in North America, coupled with IPNetZone’s nationwide MPLS network, enables UNSi to expand the delivery of enterprise-grade managed service solutions. Additionally, IPNetZone’s highly experienced technical staff allows UNSi to seamlessly enhance our procurement capabilities and 24/7 NOC (News - Alert) support to our customers.”

Following this alliance, the Pennsylvania-based firm unveiled an all new channel partner program which was created from the ground up to enhance the scope of its nationwide MPLS network.

The Channel Partner (News - Alert) Program (CPP) is made up of different tier levels of partners that each require different commitments, ultimately giving partners access to an easy to use platform that can be leveraged to resell UNSi’s vast portfolio and benefit from its cost database. Plus, a high level of technical support that is available at all times will be provided via the company’s live NOCs, an online partner portal.

Then in July, UNSi debuted its Single IP Failover Solution that was designed to improve network redundancy and business continuity. This product was one of the first to be launched after the acquisition of IPNetZone, successfully completed a couple of months prior. According to company officials, it allows businesses to automatically failover from a primary Internet connection to a back-up Internet connection while maintaining the same inbound IP Addresses without the need for Border Gateway Protocol (BGP).

Allan Schwartz (News - Alert), senior vice president of Strategic Planning & Business Development at UNSi added, “We took our SIF offering even further by allowing the end user to bring their own off-net or Broadband circuit, truly enabling the solution to be highly flexible and customizable to meet each customer’s unique needs.”

This intuitive product ultimately took home the Best of Show award at ITEXPO (News - Alert) Austin 2012, solidifying its importance within the industry.

With its newly launched solution, the company quickly realized it was time to grow its MPLS and VPLS network and in September, that is exactly what it did in the Midwest. Expanding its UNSi Dallas and Denver Points-of-Presence (POP’s) to full Border Gateway (News - Alert) Interconnects (BGI’s), this will help the business to meet current and future needs.

As you can see, this 12- month period has been an extremely exciting period for UNSi. As far as what the future will hold, we will just have to wait and see what the New Year brings.

To find out more about UNSi visit the company at ITEXPO Miami 2013. Taking place Jan. 29- Feb 1, in Miami, Florida, be sure to visit UNSi in booth #923 and #925. For more information on ITEXPO Miami 2013, click here.