Technology Category
- Networks & Connectivity - 5G
- Networks & Connectivity - Cellular
Applicable Industries
- Automotive
- Cities & Municipalities
Applicable Functions
- Maintenance
Use Cases
- Smart Parking
- Vehicle-to-Infrastructure
Services
- Cloud Planning, Design & Implementation Services
- System Integration
The Customer
Motor City Wash Works
About The Customer
Motor City Wash Works is a leading global manufacturer of automated car washes. The company has been providing reliable car wash equipment, parts, and accessories since the early 2000s. It has a technology division known as Motor City Express, LLC. to support unique needs for managed IT services. The company offers a turn-key, as-a-service solution that includes everything from the car wash equipment to integrations with point-of-sale (POS) systems and security cameras. As part of this service, Motor City’s CruzControl cloud-based maintenance management platform streamlines operations by bolstering data visibility, analytics, and automation.
The Challenge
Motor City Wash Works, a leading global manufacturer of automated car washes, aimed to revolutionize the car wash industry with its end-to-end, as-a-service car wash technology system. However, the company faced significant challenges related to network connectivity. The system relied heavily on secure 24x7 network access for everything from machinery data to PCI compliant point-of-sale information. Any network downtime was costly and manual, making in-person troubleshooting unrealistic and inefficient. The company also faced issues with opening day delays for new installations, which resulted in significant revenue loss. Additionally, the company had to manage data from multiple sources, which was difficult to track through one platform. Lastly, the company needed to ensure the security of critical data, including customer payment information, while meeting PCI DSS standards.
The Solution
To address these challenges, Motor City operationalized its car wash infrastructure with end-to-end, cloud-controlled connectivity provided through Cradlepoint and Extreme Networks. At each car wash site, Extreme Networks connected all IP-enabled devices via switches and access points, with cloud control provided through the ExtremeCloud IQ platform. The system also used Cradlepoint’s NetCloud Service and cellular-enabled wireless edge routers for secure, reliable, and versatile Wireless WAN connectivity. Key data from each car wash facility was pushed through the LAN and WAN to the CruzControl datacenter, where Extreme’s headend equipment and Fabric Connect software expedited the rollout of flexible virtualized networks. Cellular and Wi-Fi status data were integrated into Motor City’s main data platform via APIs, fostering a single-pane-of-glass experience for each car wash’s administrative team.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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