5. Outline the benefits of Integra Networksintegranetworks.net | WHO SAYS QUALITY CAN’T COST LESS. Page 2
6. Integra Networks Located in New York’s Capital Region, Integra Networks Inc. is one of the industry’s fastest growing fiber optic equipment manufacturers, specializing in providing quality, cost-effective OEM compatible optical transceivers. Page 3 integranetworks.net | WHO SAYS QUALITY CAN’T COST LESS.
7. Integra Networks Integra Networks is nationally recognized for its; superior products domestically stocked inventory short lead times reputable engineers who are committed to functionality and reliability and the ability to provide personalized service including, highly customized solutions Page 4 integranetworks.net | WHO SAYS QUALITY CAN’T COST LESS.
8. Integra Networks As experts in the industry, Integra Networks is able to provide industry-standard fiber optic equipment designed to increase capacity and improve performance of the MSO, RBOC, TELCO, enterprise, education and government networks they serve. Page 5 integranetworks.net | WHO SAYS QUALITY CAN’T COST LESS.
24. OEM Compatible Parts Costs to implement and execute new fiber deployments are high, and companies from almost every sector are looking for ways to cut costs while continuing to offer first-class services. One way many engineers and project managers have achieved sizeable cost savings (50-75%) is by replacing costly OEM network pluggables with more cost effective compatible options. Page 8 integranetworks.net | WHO SAYS QUALITY CAN’T COST LESS.
25. OEM Compatible Parts When shopping for these products most purchasers will look for the lowest price and stop there. At Integra, we feel it is in everyone’s best interest to consider the following five additional factors when shopping for compatible products… Page 9 integranetworks.net | WHO SAYS QUALITY CAN’T COST LESS.
26. Functionality and Reliability Where does the testing and coding take place? Is it in-house or third party? The vast majority of companies who sell third party optics blindly purchase their hardware with “open coding” from the manufacturer whose components are bought from the lowest bidder; what you see is what you get. Page 10 integranetworks.net | WHO SAYS QUALITY CAN’T COST LESS.
27. Functionality and Reliability (cont.) While there are a few OEM network platforms available that will accept open coded optics without issue, many routing and switching manufacturers’ require some level of additional programming on their transceivers. Look for a company that does all their coding and testing ‘in-house’, conducted by on-staff engineers. These companies are able to monitor quality control and ensure the functionality and reliability of their products. Page 11 integranetworks.net | WHO SAYS QUALITY CAN’T COST LESS.
28. Lead Time Where is the company’s inventory stocked? How long does it take to get to you? Fiber optic equipment is not cheap, and with all the variations in configurations, keeping shelves stocked with ready-to-ship inventory can be costly. For this reason most OEM compatible providers won’t stock a large variety of products domestically. Page 12 integranetworks.net | WHO SAYS QUALITY CAN’T COST LESS.
29. Lead Time (cont.) This can mean that some products have 8-16 week lead times, whereas a company that maintains a ready stock could have those same products to you in less than one week, helping you to complete your projects on time and cost-effectively. It is definitely more beneficial to work with a company that does their testing and coding in-house and has a broad range of products stocked domestically. This will help in your project planning and also provide you peace of mind. Page 13 integranetworks.net | WHO SAYS QUALITY CAN’T COST LESS.
30. Customer Service/Responsiveness Is the company a ‘Click-to-Pay’ with minimum to no customer service or do they have Personal Customer Relationships? When shopping online for inexpensive OEM compatible parts you will find a variety of providers ranging from a personal service approach to ‘click and pay’. It’s a matter of preference for you, the purchaser, as to which style you feel comfortable with. Keep in mind, however, that sometimes with ‘click-to-pay’ sites you’re forfeiting customer service. This may not seem important at the time of purchase, but can become a major issue at a time of crisis. Page 14 integranetworks.net | WHO SAYS QUALITY CAN’T COST LESS.
31. Warranty Does the company provide a warranty on their compatible transceivers? Some OEMs may imply that using third party transceivers will void the warranty on their equipment. At the same time a vast majority of OEM compatible providers will tell you that is a misconception and will quote excerpts from the Federal Trade Commission’s Magnuson-Moss Act that does say, in so many words, consumer warranties cannot include ‘tie-in’ sales, meaning warrantors cannot require that only their branded parts be used with the product in order to retain the warranty. Page 15 integranetworks.net | WHO SAYS QUALITY CAN’T COST LESS.
32. Warranty (cont.) In either case, it is wise to be conscious of what your equipment warranty states, but to also not limit your cost saving potential. If you do elect to use a third party compatible provider, you will find their warranties span a wide range. Look for a company that will provide at least a one year ‘repair or replace’ warranty. Page 16 integranetworks.net | WHO SAYS QUALITY CAN’T COST LESS.
33. Customization Are the company’s products limited to ‘off-the-shelf’ or can they customize? Customization is not necessarily a necessity, but to work with a company that has the capabilities to accommodate all of your specifications and requirements is highly desirable and rare. When conducting your research you will find there are some OEM compatible parts providers that have engineers on staff able to produce solutions to your challenges that even the OEMs sometimes can’t or won’t. Page 17 integranetworks.net | WHO SAYS QUALITY CAN’T COST LESS.
34. Five Factors By being aware of the five factors outlined in this presentation, and asking the right questions, you can minimize the occurrence of unpleasant scenarios and maximize your success in selecting a quality OEM compatible parts provider. Integra Networks is recognized nationally for meeting customers cost requirements and superseding expectations with regard to the additional five factors just mentioned. Page 18 integranetworks.net | WHO SAYS QUALITY CAN’T COST LESS.