Scottsdale, AZ, June 30, 2009 - Sparkplug Communications, a leading provider of fixed wireless business broadband services, today announced that it has won the contract to deploy a private network for Terrible Herbst Oil.
Terrible Herbst operates 96 gasoline stations and convenience stores, 36 car washes and 19 lube centers throughout a four-state region including Nevada, Utah, California and Arizona. At the time Terrible Herbst approached Sparkplug Communications, they were running a frame relay network to connect their convenience stores to their corporate headquarters. The cost of maintaining and upgrading this network spurred Terrible Herbst to initiate a comprehensive cost review.
"With the wireless network solution we offered, we were able to deliver a 34% cost reduction per store," said Daman Wood, Sparkplug's Vice President of Sales. "Sparkplug will give Terrible Herbst a private network solution that is much easier to manage, and enable well over $100,000 of annual savings over their previous solution."
Bill Kissell, Vice President for IT at Terrible Herbst, emphasized, "I had a legacy network that worked, but I needed to cut costs. Our network is extensive and supports key corporate functions such as point of sales transactions, back office applications and corporate email. I needed to find a way to reduce spending even as the network was growing."
Kissell added, "Another one of Sparkplug advantages is the improved manageability I get by using their monitoring system. My last criteria was a one-stop solution; Sparkplug was the one provider who could network all of my Nevada stores."
Sparkplug's wireless network spans five states: Nevada, Illinois, Iowa, Tennessee and Arizona. Sparkplug's wireless solution is ideal for business customers like Terrible Herbst, who are operating end-of-life networks and facing costly upgrade decisions. High capacity wireless is less costly, and scales in real-time with the growth of the business, without having to wait for more wiring to be laid.
"This is a win-win for Sparkplug and for Terrible Herbst," said Michael Ruley, CEO of Sparkplug. "We have invested in creating a high capacity, business grade wireless network to deliver the quality that businesses require for their communications needs, and we do it at a price point that makes a lot more sense than traditional wired solutions."
About Terrible Herbst, Inc.
Terrible Herbst, Inc. was founded in 1959 and consists of over 36 Car Washes, 19 Lube Locations, and over 90 Convenience Store/Gas Stations in the Las Vegas area. For quality gasoline and convenient, value-priced beverages, cigarettes and more, stop by any of our convenience store/gas station locations! Visit terribleherbst.com for more information and listings of Terrible Herbst, Inc. locations.
About Sparkplug
Sparkplug is a leading fixed wireless broadband service provider currently operating networks across five states, including the metropolitan markets of Chicago, Nashville, Des Moines, Phoenix and Las Vegas. The company offers a suite of high-speed data, voice over IP, and other managed services over its own network to business, education and government customers. All enjoy the benefits of fast, scalable and easy-to-deploy broadband service. Customers can choose from a complete range of symmetrical bandwidth service options starting at 2 Mbps with speeds up to 1 Gbps at a fraction of the typical cost. The company also provides high capacity data services and transport to many of the nation's leading telecommunications providers. For more information, visit www.sparkplug.net.
Media Inquiries:
Carolann Samuels
Kendall Communications
(303) 495-2999
carolannsamuels@mac.com
