CIO Challenges
With recent high-level ownership adjustments in the organization, Crunch insisted on a company that would be flexible enough for them to commit to a 45-day installation, but also give them the contract flexibility to walk from the agreement on short notice if Crunch corporate direction changed. They required a network that would deliver an enhanced customer experience via client profiling while at the same time increasing the efficiency and productivity of their fitness centers.

The project, also seen in the retail marketplace, was challenged by fixed budgets, a modest IT staff, and the nationwide availability of broadband for all locations. Crunch also needed a network that had the inherent capacity to handle future bandwidth intensive applications. Simply supplying bandwidth to their locations was not an option; they needed a partner to provide configuration, on-site installation, and support resources.

IRG Solution
Industry Retail Group (IRG) was chosen to implement Crunch's new network infrastructure and was given a 45-day time frame to coordinate a plan to migrate the fitness centers to an entirely new private topology plus add localized secure internet access. After exploring various means of technology including cable, SDSL, and traditional T1 access, Crunch opted for traditional access.

Crunch was pleased to learn that the IRG's PrivateIP service was less expensive than other vendors' traditional VPN DSL proposals and provided them with added security, more bandwidth, and access to enhanced services. "The IRG solution was the most comprehensive and affordable solution that we looked at. But more importantly, the roll-out of the network was one of the best implementation experiences I had ever witnessed, and my staff's time was never compromised," boasted Shane Edmonds, CIO Crunch Fitness. "We could not be happier with our decision to entrust our network to IRG. Their level of professionalism, dedication to our account, and their proactive network management of the Crunch network has allowed my staff to focus on our core business."

IRG delivered:

  Proficient, Nationwide PrivateIP Network Rollout in under 45 business days for site-to-site connectivity

  IRG Secure Internet Gateways to the public Internet for each Crunch fitness center

  Router and Security Appliance configuration, testing, and deployment

  100% bandwidth availability at all locations

  24/7/365 monitoring and pro-active notification

CIO Shane Edmonds concluded, "We called upon IRG to install our Private IP Network within a very short time frame, they answered the call."