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AWL previously used a remote access solution combined with its own VPN server. This solution was becoming outdated, difficult to manage, and offered insufficient usability and security. "We were looking for a turnkey solution that we only had to manage, instead of building and maintaining ourselves," says Mark Veldman, IT specialist at AWL.

The old solution was a proprietary system. As it became outdated, management became more complex, and the encryption no longer met the latest requirements. "That was the perfect opportunity for us to professionalize and partially outsource management. We want to focus on what we're good at: designing and developing machines, not on keeping IT solutions operational," says Helmer van de Weg, System Engineer at AWL.
 

Solution

AWL explored several remote access solutions, but they weren't up to par: they lacked features like SSO, were expensive, or required in-house development. The breakthrough came unexpectedly during a dinner with two former classmates. "They showed me on their phones how IXON could quickly access machines. I was immediately enthusiastic," says Helmer. 
 

The right structure within 1 day with Routeco

Not much later, AWL entered into discussions with a distributor Routeco. Frank Verstappen, Key
An account manager at Routeco Netherlands immediately brought the right expertise to AWL by involving technical specialist Menno Buitenhuis from Routeco. Thanks to the close communication between AWL, Routeco, and IXON, AWL was able to set up the right structure within a single day and seamlessly integrate the solution into their existing working methods. This collaboration resulted in a fast, professional, and future-proof rollout.

 

The product sold itself by simply doing what it promises. That's the bottom line for us: it simply has to work, every time. And that's what IXON does. 

– Helmer van de Weg, System Engineer at AWL

 

Ease of use and safety are central

Despite the risks involved in moving away from the old solution, the transition to IXON went smoothly. “Support was good, the implementation was flawless, and it simply works as promised,” says Helmer. With the rapid mobile access A user-friendly interface offers IXON immediate added value. "Speed is crucial for us. Now I can log into the machine with just a few clicks via my phone and I don't have to start up my laptop."


 

“Thanks to the quick access via IXON, we can now often help customers within minutes.”

– Helmer van de Weg, System Engineer at AWL

Acceptance by customers and IT departments

Remote access is subject to strict IT assessment in many sectors, such as the automotive industry. Thanks to clear documentation and transparent security approach IXON inspires confidence in even the most demanding customers. IXON is now a standard component of every AWL machine. 

“Our sales team immediately puts the gateway on the bill of materials, so that the discussion is initiated early on. This increases customer acceptance.” AWL consciously chooses the SecureEdge Pro gateway Because of its advanced security chipset and powerful performance. "With SecureEdge Pro, we can offer the most secure option as standard and provide worldwide service without being physically present," says Helmer.

Single Sign-On and SCIM

Single Sign-On (SSO) is a strict requirement for AWL: "We're regularly audited. All our applications must support SSO directly. IXON fully complies with this and, with SCIM, offers additional convenience for identity management," says Mark.

A solution that simply does what it's supposed to do

For AWL, reliability is paramount. "We don't want to worry about administration or explaining why something is secure. IXON delivers," says Helmer. "Communication with support is fast, the documentation is clear, and adoption, both internally and with customers, is smooth. For us as users, that's what matters."

Result

The benefits of IXON are widely felt within AWL:

• Accelerated and improved service delivery
  With IXON, we can now connect within minutes and provide immediate customer support. This results in noticeably faster service and improved response times.
• Standardization in global service
  IXON is built in as standard for customers who don't have their own VPN solution, regardless of whether they have a service contract. "Our engineer needs to be able to log in, worldwide."
• Future-oriented technology
  In addition to remote access, AWL is now also investigating the use of IXON for data logging and dashboards“We see it slowly developing into a crucial component within our machines.”
• Satisfied users
   "Nobody's complaining, and that's usually the best sign. Things are going surprisingly smoothly."

"Our service has taken a major step forward in a short time. Being able to monitor or intervene via your phone offers us options that weren't available before," concludes Helmer.