AT&T Speeds Up Allied Exhaust Network

BENECIA, Calif. – AT&T announced today it has signed a $2 million agreement with Allied Exhaust Systems, the largest independent warehouse distributor of automotive exhaust systems in the United States, to provide a networking solution that integrates the company’s 23 warehouse and corporate locations.

The Internet Protocol Virtual Private Network (IP VPN) will merge voice and data traffic onto a single unified network, linking all warehouse locations with corporate headquarters and providing Allied with data speeds that are twice as fast as the old network. The AT&T networking solution also enables Allied Exhaust to implement new, cost-effective IP-based technologies such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), providing the company with additional cost savings.

“In our current network, all traffic is routed through our headquarters, so our warehouses are not able to connect directly to each other. The AT&T network will link our warehouses directly to each other, helping us process orders and track inventory more quickly and efficiently,” said Bob Hopton, controller for Allied Exhaust Systems. “AT&T will also manage our routers on their network, providing us with more flexibility and better use of our IT staff resources.”

In addition, through the secure AT&T BusinessDirect® portal, Allied will gain around-the-clock access to real-time information about the performance of its network and a direct connection to electronic billing and ordering systems. AT&T BusinessDirect was recently recognized by the Yankee Group for providing customers with the strongest online support and service experience in the industry.

About Allied Exhaust Systems

Founded in the 1960s, Allied is the largest independent warehouse distributor of automotive exhaust systems in the country.

About AT&T

For more than 125 years, AT&T (NYSE 'T') has been known for unparalleled quality and reliability in communications. Backed by the research and development capabilities of AT&T Labs, the company is a global leader in local, long distance, Internet and transaction-based voice and data services.