SSL secure virtual private networks provide good value for collaborative operations
1 min read
For manufacturers wrestling with the cost of embarking on large scale electronic information exchange and business process execution with their supply chains, partners and customers, a more advanced form of SSL (secure socket layer) based VPNs (virtual private networks) can provide a useful answer. Brian Tinham reports
For manufacturers wrestling with the cost of embarking on large scale electronic information exchange and business process execution with their supply chains, partners and customers, a more advanced form of SSL (secure socket layer) based VPNs (virtual private networks) can provide a useful answer.
Whether you’re working on a supply chain event management (SCEM) implementation, supply chain fulfilment project or multi-site ERP roll out, the technology could save considerable effort, cost and complexity without compromising integrity and security.
Unlike conventional secure remote access and extranet VPN approaches, SSL VPNs provide a single, inherently secure and consistent infrastructure ‘gateway’ for all corporate applications – fulfilling the requirement for multiple VPN connections to web and legacy applications that are low cost, flexible and manageable.
They remove the need to install copies of each client on the edge of the network with the expense that entails in terms of license costs, upgrade implications, security handling and so on. SSL is included in browsers, there’s no need for additional client software, it’s ‘run anywhere’ and the security protocol is application independent.
More recent offerings combine SSL with advanced session level proxy technology to extend applicability beyond web-based applications to client/server, all on the same gateway – also further extending security.
Testimony to the success of the approach comes from chemicals and machinery giant FMC, which is now running SAP-to-SAP ERP connections for product trading on its web-enabled secure infrastructure behind the firewall using SSL VPN provider Aventail’s technology.
That same system also covers HR for 10,000 employees over the web, hosts vendor-managed inventory (VMI) and asset management systems for FMC clients over the web, as well as field service management and order tracking.
According to Aventail’s senior product marketing manager Tim Caxton, not only did the approach save FMC considerable cost, providing a manageable single infrastructure solution, it also saved time. The firm rolled out no fewer than nine applications using SSL VPN technology over just five months.