American Foundation for the Blind Chooses LiveAction Software
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LiveAction software selected to help the American Foundation for the Blind monitor and manage network quality of service and to enhance Internet and network access for its blind employees.
HONOLULU, HI – May 27, 2010 –ActionPacked! Networks announced today that the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) has selected the company’s LiveAction software to monitor and manage the configuration and quality of service (QoS) of the foundation’s nationwide Cisco-based network. AFB chose LiveAction as part of its strategy to manage its entire network in-house in order to provide more responsive service for its employees and web site visitors, especially those who are blind or visually impaired.
“We used to outsource all of our network management, but our service providers could not keep up with our needs,” said AFB Systems Engineer Roberto Hernandez. “In addition to providing basic network services, we evaluate and test many new technologies for the blind and this requires very frequent and accurate adjustments of our network. Because service-provider change orders often took weeks to implement, it became very clear that we needed the ability to make these changes ourselves, even though we have a very small IT staff.
Hernandez selected LiveAction software from ActionPacked! Networks for its live visual modeling of the network topology and traffic, and because it was the only tool available for creating, editing, and implementing QoS policies on demand. The AFB currently uses LiveAction to troubleshoot its Voice-over-IP (VoIP) service, monitor network performance, and to ensure reliable network accessibility for all users including a large percentage of remote employees and telecommuters.
“AFB absolutely did the right thing for their network users even though it was not an easy approach,” said ActionPacked! Founder Nelson Kanemoto. “We’re pleased to provide them with a tool that makes even the most difficult features of their Cisco network easy to use and apply with confidence.”
Many of AFB’s primary network applications such as Internet access, VoIP, file sharing, and office applications are much like those found in a typical business network. Where AFB’s network differs significantly is its extensive use and support of assistive technologies and remote desktop applications for the blind.
“AFB has always been on the leading edge of technology advancements for people who are blind and our networks are no exception,” said AFB IT Director Kelly Bleach. “Many of our employees, including our CEO Carl R. Augusto, are blind, so among the services we provide are access to text-to-speech applications and voice-over-IP services that provide them with unfettered access to their computers and the Internet.”
For a case study on AFB and its use of LiveAction software visit www.actionpacked.com/afb.
About ActionPacked! Networks
ActionPacked! Networks develops expert software that provides IT engineers with an all-in-one solution for QoS, NetFlow, Routing, and IP SLA. The company’s LiveAction software enhances true understanding and control of the network by combining rich visualizations of the network topology, devices, interfaces, flows, and routes with expert rules-based configuration and editing. For more information, visit www.actionpacked.com.
About the American Foundation for the Blind
The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is a national nonprofit that expands possibilities for people with vision loss. AFB's priorities include broadening access to technology; elevating the quality of information and tools for the professionals who serve people with vision loss; and promoting independent and healthy living for people with vision loss by providing them and their families with relevant and timely resources. AFB is also proud to house the Helen Keller Archives and honor the more than forty years that Helen Keller worked tirelessly with AFB. For more information visit us online at www.afb.org.
ActionPacked! Networks and LiveAction are trademarks of ActionPacked! Networks. Cisco is a registered trademark of Cisco Systems, Inc. AFB is a registered trademark of the American Foundation for the Blind.
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Media Contact
Mike Downes
ActionPacked! Networks
808-387-2181
mdownes@actionpacked.com
ActionPacked! Networks and LiveAction are trademarks of ActionPacked! Networks. Cisco is a registered trademark of Cisco Systems, Inc. AFB is a registered trademark of the American Foundation for the Blind.
