MWEB Business this week launches its Access Point Name (APN) service, enabling remote users to access the MWEB data centre - and thereby their company's network - using the Vodacom mobile GSM (cellular) network.
APN also provides a true fail-over option for companies using a leased line or ADSL as their primary connection. The extent of the mobile GSM coverage makes it an ideal solution for remote users or satellite offices, and as an alternative to copper or fibre, it can assist companies minimise downtime when fixed-line solutions fail.
Herman Jansen van Rensburg, Head of Product Management and Development at MWEB Business, says that often a company needs to facilitate some form of communication between its main office and people or devices which are based in remote locations where fixed-line is not as freely available.
“An APN gives these customers or devices access into their company's network through the MWEB Business MPLS network. APNs offer the widest form of connectivity as they are available wherever there is cellular connectivity. Since it is a private APN, one of the key benefits is that Internet access per SIM card can be controlled through a dedicated firewall or Managed Internet Gateway (MIG) in MWEB's data centre. This prevents unauthorised usage of bandwidth and means that companies can monitor the individual usage of bandwidth by their remote users.”
MWEB Business offers APN data bundles in 5, 10 or 20GB, which can be shared between the users that have SIM cards configured on the APN. Should additional data be required during the month, customers are billed out-of-bundle rates for usage over and above their data cap. MWEB Business offers 24-month contracts as well as set up and installation of the APN.
Jansen van Rensburg concludes: “The MWEB Online APN Management Interface allows customers to view graphs, itemised billing information and receive usage notifications at 50, 80 and 100% of the bundle, to ensure full control and management of the APN.”
For businesses operating from multiple locations, or that have mobile/home office users - an increasingly popular trend - seamless cost-effective inter-company communication becomes essential to maintaining business competitiveness and operational efficiency and this can be easily achieved using an APN.
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MWEB Business
Founded in January 1998 as the business division of MWEB, MWEB Business provides comprehensive solutions in areas of Internet access, application services, Web development, e-commerce, network support and consultancy to businesses.
We are dedicated to helping our business clients leverage the power of the Internet by providing a comprehensive solution for all their Internet needs along with the expertise and skills to successfully implement their ventures online.
MWEB Business has e-commerce-enabled more than 420 businesses and provided Internet services to more than 6 000 business clients, including Pick 'n Pay, Makro, Netflorist, Incredible Connection, The Pro Shop and many more.
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