Why This Major Defense Contractor Tapped Continuant for Avaya Maintenance… and Beyond
Background
When General Dynamics (NYSE: GD,) opened its doors in 1952, its focus was providing hardware to the military—tanks, rockets, missiles, submarines, warships, fighters, and electronics to the US Army, Navy, and Air Force. While the successful multi-billion-dollar defense contractor sold off nearly all its divisions in the early 1990s, except for its Electric Boat and Land Systems. By the mid-1990s, world events led to the company’s expanding by acquiring combat vehicle-related businesses as well as IT product and services companies. To keep all these different branches running efficiently, General Dynamics would need a proactive partner to serve as its single vendor.
The solution
Support for all legacy systems on several different platforms
Support and Maintenance cost savings
Reduced the number of vendors, leaving a single point of contact
The challenge
Difficult to maintain Avaya and Nortel environment
High costs for low quality support
Struggles from maintaining multiple different systems with multiple different vendors
The story
Today, General Dynamics, which ranks #92 on the Fortune 500 list, is one of the leading US defense contractors, with a strong portfolio of products and services that fall into four main categories: Aerospace, Combat Systems, IS&T (Information Systems and Technology), and Marine Systems.
Headquartered in Falls Church, VA, General Dynamics continues to grow by acquiring companies that strengthen its core business areas and by a relentless focus on continuous improvement. While General Dynamics operates around the world, serving government and commercial customers on six continents in more than 45 countries, North America continues to be its largest market, accounting for nearly 75 percent of sales.
The company’s Information Systems and Technology business unit also serves civilian and military markets. Today, this unit focuses on delivering cybersecurity, tactical communication systems, sensors and cameras, ruggedized computers (for use in harsh environments, such as those with strong vibrations, extreme temperatures, and wet or dusty conditions), and antennas to domestic and international customers, including the Department of Defense, Homeland Security, the intelligence community, and federal civilian agencies.
There are few challenges that General Dynamics can’t overcome, but there was one for which it certainly needed help. With its Avaya and Nortel systems, General Dynamics needed a provider that would save time and money, while also reducing the number of vendors it needed to keep in contact with.
Continuant was just the help it needed. With expertise in both Nortel and Avaya, Continuant could alleviate the problems General Dynamics had suffered with in the past. Best of all, Continuant was able to provide a single point of contact for all matters of support regarding its legacy systems.
In addition to delivering world-class support for 14 of the company’s US-based locations, Continuant is currently working closely with General Dynamics on a Skype for Business Managed Services offering. With more than a decade of history with General Dynamics, Continuant is poised to take on whatever new challenges this leading-edge company presents.
Communication and collaboration is at the core of your organization. With Continuant’s UC and AV solutions, you’re one step closer to better business outcomes. Discover how your technology stacks up with a 30-minute assessment today.
%20Success%20Stories/3M%20-%20main.jpg)
%20Success%20Stories/Baylor-CS-Image-2.jpg)
