The utility needed a high-performance router solution to support its expanded coverage area, which would eventually reach 19.6 million acres -- roughly the size of the state of Indiana.

CHALLENGE
A large, rural utility company providing telecommunications and Internet access planned to expand its Internet coverage area. The company also chose, as part of its expansion, to participate in a nationwide eRate program, designed to bring Internet communication to schools, libraries and areas with economically disadvantaged populations. With adverse operating conditions in the region, the utility needed high-performance routers for its towers that it could implement quickly as well as ones it could easily install in remote areas. It began a bid process to find the best router manufacturer for its expansion project.

SOLUTION
After discussions with the ImageStream^® technical support staff, the utility determined that ImageStream's Linux-based routers delivered the level of performance, reliability and installation requirements for the project. The cost-effectiveness for such a large expansion project was an added bonus. For its initial expansion rollout, the utility submitted its first order for the ImageStream Rebel and TransPort^TM routers in June of 2004 to Solutions4ebiz, an authorized distributor of ImageStream routers and accessories. Like many other ISPs, the utility chose the Rebel Router^TM as its premise router because of its ability to route a DS3/E3 circuit or up to 16 T1/E1

circuits at wire speed and the availability of DC power supplies. The utility chose the TransPort^TM router because of its wire speed performance and enterprise-class features. Shortly after the implementation of the Rebel and TransPort^TM routers, the utility added ImageStream's Gateway Router^TM, a low-cost OC3/STM1 router, to its network. It chose the Gateway for its features, including its 12 PCI expansion slots, support for redundant AC and DC power supplies, 1-Gigabit backplane and two Gigabit Ethernet ports. The utility also found useful that all of the ImageStream routers it purchased included one year of 24/7 technical support, a product warranty, a 31-day performance guarantee and free software upgrades for life

RESULTS
To date, the utility company uses a mix of more than 130 TransPort, Rebel and Gateway routers from ImageStream. Solutions4ebiz continues to provide the utility with routers and accessories as it manages and expands its network, while ImageStream provides technical support. The utility is now able to order additional routers online through Solutions4ebiz's web store at www.imagestreamsolutions.com. Today, the utility continues to build out its network, which covers approximately 19.6 million acres, with the help of the ImageStream routers and accessories it purchases from Solutions4ebiz.

About Solutions4ebiz:
Solutions4ebiz develops customized software for unique, industry-specific customer needs. The company has deep experience in Internet-based technology solutions, and has designed software applications for a wide variety of industries, including tourism, manufacturing, distribution, retail, membership organizations and professional services. Founded in 2000 (formerly The eBiz Shop), Solutions4ebiz specializes in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software that enables companies to manage sales efforts and communicate with customers more effectively. CRM4ebiz, the company's affordable, Web-based CRM software, offers unique contact management, customer profiling and online marketing tools. The company has also developed CRM4Tourism and D2000, Web-based CRM software and marketing applications for the tourism industry. Headquartered in the Indianapolis, Indiana metro area, Solutions4ebiz supports its custom software applications with website design, custom programming, hosting, support, hardware and professional IT staffing services. Solutions4ebiz is also the exclusive Midwest distributor of Linux routers and related products from ImageStream Internet Solutions at www.imagestreamsolutions.com. To learn more about Solutions4ebiz, call 317-915-1625, email sales@solutions4ebiz.com or visit www.solutions4ebiz.com.

About ImageStream:
ImageStream Internet Solutions, Inc. is a leading supplier of Linux-based LAN and WAN solutions for small offices, corporate LANs and WANs, and Internet backbone providers. ImageStream products include high-performance routers and switches, network cards, monitoring taps, and network management software, with installations in more than 75 countries. Headquartered in Plymouth, Indiana, ImageStream has developed a reputation for providing superior technical support and a high level of customer satisfaction, with its success driven by a focus on real-world customer requirements, and a value proposition that delivers more routers for the money. To order ImageStream routers, visit www.imagestreamsolutions.com, call 877-666-3249 or email sales@solutions4ebiz.com.