Blog Archives - 123NET

Customer Spotlight – Innovations Applied

May 13, 2021

Customer:

Innovations Applied

Services:

123NET’s Data Center & Colocation Services

Industry:

Digital Marketing

Number of Employees:

13

At-a-Glance:

Innovations Applied was founded in 1997 and is based in Chicago. They provide real time video communications technologies and custom applications to their business and industrial customers. As a full service-digital agency, their offerings include marketing automation, SEO, full UX/UI discovery, and development solutions.

Challenge:

Headquartered in Chicago, Innovations Applied was looking for a reliable data center to move their servers off-site. As a specialized company with high-capacity data needs, they also sought a managed service provider to generate a custom solution that would scale considerably and ensure the continuity of their business.

Solution:

123NET’s Data Center provided the company with a carrier neutral space to ensure uninterruptable data access, colocation space, power, and connectivity.

Results:

The availability and reliability of a 123NET Data Center allows Innovations Applied to store their data off-premises. By doing so, it establishes high-speed access to their data with no interruption for their real-time video communications. This results in Innovations Applied being able to grow their business and stay at pace with demand.

“We provide real-time video communications technologies and custom applications in the health care, banking, virtual event, higher education, e-learning, and business collaboration industries. 123NET makes it possible for a small company like ours to compete with much larger organizations, delivering service that meets and exceeds the highest standards.”

Bill Dunning

Founder, Innovations Applied

Customer Spotlight – Jekyll and Hyde

Apr 7, 2021

Customer:

Jekyll and Hyde

Services:

123NET Fiber Voice & Data Solutions

Industry:

Advertising

Number of Employees:

25

At-a-Glance:

Jekyll and Hyde is an advertising, marketing, and communications firm with over 25 years of experience. They have two core business areas: direct response advertising and marketing and brand advertising. Their direct focus is to grow sales and market-share for challenger brand consumer-packaged goods.

Challenge:

Beyond the basic requirements of an internet service provider (ISP), Jekyll and Hyde searched for a provider that could go above and beyond just fast internet. They needed a partner to provide transparency, great communication, and proactive capabilities for any future issues.

Solution:

123NET’s expansive network in Redford made them an excellent candidate for fiber services. Jekyll and Hyde opted for a fiber voice and internet solution to consolidate their services onto one dedicated provider.

Results:

123NET Voice and Data Solutions provided Jekyll and Hyde with high-speed internet and reliable voice services. Communication was a large priority for Jekyll and Hyde. 123NET’s Project Manager Carol Johnsonbaugh, and Account Manager Dan Lang kept the company informed during the project and provided excellent options for continued growth.

When the agency was under a tight timeline to move their company headquarters from Redford to Northville, the strong partnership between 123NET and Jekyll and Hyde made continuing services an obvious choice. They needed to seamlessly transition their existing 123NET Voice and Internet Services to their new building. 123NET was able to install a temporary fixed wireless solution under a condensed timeline while constructing fiber to the new Northville location.

“123NET was capable, efficient, and exact with my latest project with them. From inception to final delivery, every part of the evolution was handled by professional, friendly people always willing to go the extra mile to make sure I had what I needed. Keep up the great work guys.”

Matthew Umbarger

Director of Creative and Production, Jekyll and Hyde

Customer Spotlight – Baker College

Mar 4, 2021

Customer:

Baker College

Services:

123NET Data Center & Network Services

Industry:

Education

Number of Employees:

1,500+

At-a-Glance:

Founded in 1911, Baker College is Michigan’s largest private not-for-profit college while also being the state’s top private transfer school. They also have multiple campuses across the state offering 70+ degree programs while also providing an online global campus with 40+ academic program options for undergraduate and graduate degrees. Baker College strives to cultivate an environment that encourages positive action, critical thought along with providing the knowledge that students need to improve their lives and careers.

Challenge:

Baker College had multiple service problems that they were looking to resolve. First, they needed to solidify their infrastructure and move to a managed data center. Second, Baker College was receiving subpar service from a national ISP and needed a reliable cost-effective service provider. Last year accelerated Baker College’s need to integrate new technologies that would allow their teams, faculty, and students to work collaboratively.

Solution:

123NET provided Baker College with seven multipoint fiber connections along with redundant high-speed internet back to a carrier neutral data center. Baker College also joined the Detroit Internet Exchange to create a faster user experience for their campuses across Michigan.

Results:

Upgrading Baker College’s network configuration with 123NET’s Services allowed the college to have faster, more reliable connectivity to their campuses at a cost-effective price. With a managed colocation solution, Baker College can store their data and infrastructure at 123NET’s Data Center, benefiting from full physical security, redundancy, and scalability options. Their new network structure has given each campus the means to support high-load traffic in addition to network continuity for their global campus and remote learning.

When compared with our previous national provider, 123NET has met or exceeded our expectations in every area with one major difference—their level of personalized customer support is beyond anything we’ve experienced with other service providers.

Scott Wood

Sr. Director of Infrastructure Security & Support , Baker College

What is Microwave Technology?

Feb 10, 2021

Microwave Technology, a line-of-sight wireless communication, uses specialized equipment to transmit and receive radio frequency (RF) over long distances without the use of wires or cables. Specific RF allows information to be transmitted through extreme weather conditions such as rain, hail, snow, dust, or even smoke.

History Behind Microwave Technology:

In 1865, James Clerk Maxwell used his famous “Maxwell’s equation” to predict that electromagnetic waves existed. In 1888, Henrich Hertz, proved the existence of these waves by building an instrument that not only produced but detected microwaves. After his experiment, other inventors became aware of wireless communications based on their microwave knowledge. This is the origin of the many kinds of wireless communication including AM/FM Radio, 2-Way radio technology, radar systems and the communication systems utilized in telecom industry today.

Utilizing Microwave Technology in the Form of Fixed Wireless:

Fixed Wireless is communication between multiple points of presence that utilizes Microwave RF to transmit high-speed data. These frequencies permit high bandwidth and low latency, which increases end user productivity. By utilizing fixed wireless, companies eliminate the need for costly and time-consuming installation of cable or local phone lines. There are many advantages for companies that use fixed wireless such as scalable bandwidth, network diversity, and quick installation.

How 123NET can Help:

123NET’s Fixed Wireless offers ethernet connectivity, supplied by microwave technology. This solution offers a high-speed access alternative for businesses, allowing your company to look past build-out costs and permits with a faster installation timeline. 123NET’s Fixed Wireless can be used as a primary, temporary, or a redundant solution.

Benefits of 123NET Fixed Wireless:

Quick Installation
Cost-Effective
Secure
Reliable
Scalable Bandwidth
Service-Level Agreement
24/7/365 NOC Support

ABOUT 123NET 

123NET is a Michigan-based Internet Service Provider (ISP) focused on equipping businesses with an industry-leading data center, network and voice services. Over a dozen Fortune 500 companies and thousands of Michigan businesses trust 123NET to provide them with world-class connectivity. Home of the Detroit Internet Exchange (DET-iX), 123NET operates one of the largest carrier-neutral data centers and peers with technology leaders such as Google, AWS, GM and others. 

OUR MISSION: BUILDING NETWORK TO MAKE MICHIGAN COMMUNITIES & BUSINESSES THE BEST CONNECTED ON THE PLANET.

Customer Spotlight – Mindfield

Feb 3, 2021

Customer:

Mindfield

Services:

Voice & Data Solutions

Industry:

Marketing & Advertising

At-a-Glance:

Mindfield was founded in 2000 when three partners, who were successful freelancers, had hopes of a production company. They took an innovative approach on video and live engagement production. After several successes, the business included different positions such as video editors, graphic artists, interactive developers, and customer service specialists. As of today, Mindfield continues to design and produce high quality videos for broadcast, online channels, big screens, interactive experiences, and live engagements.

Challenge:

Mindfield needed a modernized network infrastructure that would ensure reliability and stability for their 120-year-old building. They hoped to find a solution that allowed their business to always remain secured and connected.

Solution:

The answer to their needs came with 123NET’s Dedicated Voice and Data Solutions, enabled Mindfield to improve their uptime and response time, as well as grant them a strong network connection. 123NET’S Dynamic Voice and Data (DVAD) provides customers with a more modernized utilization of integrated data circuits by granting bandwidth between voice and data. For their voice solution, 123NET provided Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) which allows a company to replace traditional phone lines with connectivity via 123NET’s SIP Trunking on an IP network. These services granted Mindfield the ability to always be available and functional for clients and customers.

Results:

Improving Mindfield’s network foundation allowed them to increase their up-time and response time, as well as provide reliable connectivity for their company. This let them stay connected to ensure they are available for their customers.

“We have been nothing but pleased with the service, the support, and the relationship.  I’d recommend 123NET to any and all.”

Sean Emery

Owner , Mindfield

Breaking Up with Your Internet Service Provider (ISP)

Dec 17, 2020

Slow internet, downtime, high costs or support are issues that lead companies to switch providers. Deciding to leave can be challenging, but the process does not have to be. If your current provider cannot support everyday business needs, this may be the time to consider a new alternative.

Before looking at a new internet provider, it is best to review existing services and determine if your ISP is fulfilling current and future business needs. At this time, companies consider increasing their bandwidth, adding a redundant connection, or reviewing failover solutions.

Steps for Transitioning:

STEP 1: Understand Your Current Contract

Knowing your contract end date is important, but the best time to start your research is while you are still contracted. Best case practices recommend businesses start their research 6-9 months before the contract end date to avoid hefty month-to-month or early-termination fees.

STEP 2: Installation Checklist

Setting your new installation service date will help determine when to end services with your old Internet Service Provider (ISP). Your business will need to determine:

Onsite Contacts
DNS Record Updates
Location of New Service Provider Equipment
Updates to Internal Network Cabling
Firewall/Router Upgrades
Notify Employees of Change
Impact on Current Software

STEP 3: New ISP Turn-Up

The best time to migrate your ISP is away from peak business time. Your internal staff or IT consultant should be made available to assist with the transfer of services.

STEP 4: Cut the Connection

You will have to determine when the best time is to end old services, to help ensure business continuity, both ISPs should remain active until the migration is complete. Before canceling, coordinate with your old provider the best way to return any equipment.

123NET’s team of dedicated professionals assists businesses with transitioning and upgrading to high-speed fiber and fixed wireless solutions.

Learn more about 123NET’s Dedicated Internet.

Discover more about the 7 Essential Considerations for Choosing ISPs.

ABOUT 123NET 

123NET is a Michigan-based Internet Service Provider (ISP) focused on equipping businesses with an industry-leading data center, network and voice services. Over a dozen Fortune 500 companies and thousands of Michigan businesses trust 123NET to provide them with world-class connectivity. Home of the Detroit Internet Exchange (DET-iX), 123NET operates one of the largest carrier-neutral data centers and peers with technology leaders such as Google, AWS, GM and others. 