NVT Phybridge Case Study: Gas Station EMV Compliance

The Largest Gas Station Chain in the United States of America Used NVT Phybridge PoLRE Switches to Quickly Upgrade Over 4,500 POS Terminals and Meet the EMV-Compliance Deadline

3-minute read time

Summary

• The largest gas station chain in the USA needed to upgrade its outside payment terminals to become EMV-compliant. The customer did not want to rip-and-replace the existing infrastructure due to cost and disruption concerns.
• Ron Little, Owner of Coastal Integrated Services, had previously used NVT Phybridge products and suggested using the PoLRE switch to save over USD 1.6 million and prevent over 15-tons of e-waste.
• Ron Little used Modern LAN principles to deploy over 4,500 POS systems across 39 fuel stations in just three months.

The largest gas station chain in the United States of America needed to upgrade its fuel pump’s POS terminals to meet EMV compliance standards. This is no ordinary gas station chain, as they have the largest convenience store (over 66,000 square feet) and the longest car wash (255 feet long) in the world.

What is EMV Compliance?

EMV Compliance is a step towards combating fraudulent activity at fuel pumps by increasing payment security using a more secure chip-and-pin payment system. As fuel stations become one of the most targeted establishments for payment fraud, merchants using older OPT (Outside Payment Terminal) systems that read the credit card’s magnetic stripe will bear the financial burden of any fraudulent activity. To become PCI/EMV compliant and avoid this risk, fuel stations must upgrade outdoor POS terminals to chip-and-pin readers.

With the EMV Compliance deadline quickly approaching, the organization had no idea how to upgrade, considering more than 4,500 outside payment terminals needed modernizing. Additionally, the company was already replacing its fuel pumps and wanted to upgrade the POS terminals as part of the digital transformation project.

However, project partners discovered several challenges while planning the upgrade. The organization wanted a wired solution for cybersecurity reasons but did not want to rip-and-replace the existing cabling that ran beneath the station’s fuel pump area. Any cable replacement would result in tremendous business disruption, cost, and revenue loss as each fuel station would need to be closed for multiple months for construction work. Project partners required an innovative and reliable solution to overcome the project’s barriers.

Solution

Ron Little, the integrator from Coastal Integrated Services, had used NVT Phybridge Ethernet over Coax switches to deploy IP cameras for the same gas station chain. Given the customer’s digital transformation challenges, Ron Little suggested using PoLRE technology to modernize the fuel pump’s POS terminals. Ron Little organized a free, no-obligation proof-of-concept to test the technology on-site.

PoLRE Technology – Single Pair Ethernet

NVT Phybridge PoLRE managed switches deliver fast Ethernet and PoE over single-pair UTP cable with up to 1,200ft (365m) reach, four times the reach of standard Ethernet switches.

After a few simple setup steps, the PoLRE switch transformed the existing single-pair UTP infrastructure into a robust Power over Ethernet backbone with more than enough bandwidth to support the POS terminals. “There was a lot of pressure built up with all the previous failures,” said Ron Little. “Then suddenly, the NVT Phybridge PoLRE switch solved our issues, and a massive weight was lifted off our shoulders. It was a great relief.”

The customer continued to perform extensive beta testing on several other products but found PoLRE to be the best solution. “The alternative solutions would constantly have link-down events, poor performance, and several connectivity challenges,” said Jeannie Newman, NVT Phybridge. “Once we locked down the configuration details with the PoLRE switch, the customer experienced zero connectivity issues or link-down events.”

Result

The NVT Phybridge PoLRE switch helped the customer eliminate cabling issues in an already complex project, avoiding the headache of ripping and replacing the existing network cabling. Ron Little and his team were able to upgrade an entire location in just two days (each site has about 100 fuel pumps). The solution was easily replicated across every location thanks to the PoLRE switch’s repeatable, predictable, and scalable deployment methodology. Additionally, PoLRE’s extended reach capabilities provided flexibility and peace of mind, given each fuel station’s immense size. The integrator leveraged NVT Phybridge PoE innovations to help the customer achieve incredible results.

• Significantly reduced the cost, disruption, and time required to complete the digital transformation project.
• Upgraded 15 locations in just one month, with all 39 sites completed within 90 days.
• Reduced infrastructure costs by an estimated USD 1.6 million.
• Prevented over 15-tons of cabling e-waste.

Coastal Integrated Services took a proactive approach to find a better way to achieve the customer’s digital transformation objectives in a financially and socially responsible manner. The customer now has a physically separate, robust, and reliable network backbone for its EMV-compliant POS terminals, thanks to the NVT Phybridge PoLRE switch.

NVT Phybridge Case Study: Toronto Transit Commission

3-minute read time.

TTC Uses the NVT Phybridge FLEX24-10G Switch to Deploy IP Intercom Over Existing Network Infrastructure

Summary

• The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is the third-largest public transportation agency worldwide, serving Toronto and York Region with subway, bus, and streetcar services. The agency wanted to upgrade the intercom system throughout its subway stations.
• The agency needed a way to deploy an IP intercom system without the high costs, disruption, and time required to re-cable 75 subway stations.
• TTC used the NVT Phybridge FLEX24-10G switch to deploy 1,500 IP intercom devices over the existing network cabling.

Problem

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) wanted to upgrade the intercom system throughout its subway stations. However, during the planning process, the TTC discovered several obstacles that needed addressing.

The agency wanted to upgrade its intercom system with IP devices but did not know how it would ensure a robust and effective local area network to support it. Given the unique characteristics of a subway station, re-cabling would be extremely expensive, disruptive, and time-consuming.

Any disruption to subway operations would devastate the city’s transportation infrastructure, as city residents use TTC services to make over 1 million trips per day. Additionally, re-cabling the subway stations would take several months and far exceed the project’s budget. The TTC searched for an innovative solution to overcome its digital transformation barriers.

Solution

The TTC discovered NVT Phybridge and its long reach Power over Ethernet (PoE) innovations and engaged with one of their subject matter experts to learn more. After discussing the project and its challenges, NVT Phybridge recommended the FLEX24-10G switch. The agency was intrigued and organized a no-cost, no-obligation proof-of-concept to test the solution on site.

After a few simple setup steps, the FLEX24-10G transformed the existing network into a robust PoE backbone to support the new IP intercom system. FLEX24-10G delivers Gigabit speeds to standard reach and 10/100Mbps symmetrical, full-duplex, and PoE++ (50W) over 4-pair UTP or PoE+ (30W) over 2-pair UTP with up to 2,000ft (610m) reach. With six times the reach of standard switches, TTC was confident that they had found the perfect solution.

Result

The TTC took a pro-active approach to find new and better ways to achieve its digital transformation objectives in a financially and socially responsible manner. The agency used its existing infrastructure and the NVT Phybridge FLEX24-10G switch to deploy over 1,500 NetSpire IP intercom devices throughout 75 subway stations. “NVT Phybridge allowed us to re-use our existing cabling,” said Norbert Koot, Senior Engineer, TTC. “Re-cabling all our subway stations would have represented a tremendous scope increase, which would have drastically amplified time and budget requirements to complete the project.”

“The NVT Phybridge FLEX24-10G switch allowed us to create a robust and secure network backbone for our new NetSpire Passenger Intercom System,” said Jeff Thurston, Project Manager, TTC. “The new solution provides greater communication flexibility to help TTC Operations improve the response time to customer’s needs.”

The Toronto Transit Commission was extremely impressed and satisfied with the solution, using the FLEX24-10G switch to achieve incredible results.

• Leverage existing infrastructure to drastically decrease network readiness costs.
• Simplify the entire digital transformation project while collapsing planning and deployment time.
• Eliminate business disruption during planning and deployment.
• Create a robust and secure IP platform that is easy to configure, manage, and troubleshoot.
• Per the TTCs Green Procurement Policy, the agency chose the FLEX24-10G switch to avoid more than 9 tons of cabling e-waste.

NVT Phybridge Case Study: Police Department

3-minute read time

Summary

• A U.S. police precinct was relying on outdated analog security cameras that were becoming increasingly unreliable
• The customer decided it was time to upgrade its analog surveillance system to improve security and safety throughout the precinct

Problem

The customer wanted to deploy Panasonic IP cameras throughout the precinct for improved video quality and enhanced capabilities. However, like most organizations, the precinct had a limited budget to deal with network requirements and wanted to avoid the high costs involved with ripping and replacing its existing coax-based infrastructure.

Solution

Given the customer’s objectives and challenges, reseller partner Minuteman Security Technologies recommended the NVT Phybridge CLEER24 Ethernet over Coax switch. Minuteman Security Technologies had used NVT Phybridge products in the past and was confident in the technology’s quality and performance.

The enterprise-grade CLEER24 managed switch delivers Ethernet and PoE+ over any new or existing Coax-based infrastructure with up to 6,000ft (1,830m) reach – that’s 18 times farther than standard Power over Ethernet solutions. The customer was impressed with the technology and decided to move forward with the project, having found the perfect solution.

Result

The Police Department now has a high-quality Panasonic video surveillance system to protect its officers and visitors. Minuteman Security Technologies used the CLEER24 Ethernet over Coax switch to leverage the existing and reliable infrastructure, avoiding the traditional and outdated rip-and-replace method. Deployment was quick and straightforward, with no renovations or disruption. The entire 20 camera solution was deployed within two weeks of ordering the CLEER24 switch.

The customer took a proactive approach to find a better way to achieve its digital transformation objectives in a financially and socially responsible manner. The customer created a physically separate, robust, and reliable security network without risk or compromise, thanks to the simplicity of the CLEER24 solution.

NVT Phybridge Case Study: McKinney ISD

3 minute read time.

McKinney ISD (Independent School District) was founded in 1848 to support local business owners and farmers’ educational needs. Today, McKinney ISD is one of the fastest-growing school districts in Texas, with 68 facilities, including elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, early childhood education centers, and administrative offices.

Problem

McKinney ISD relied on an aging analog phone system that was out-of-date, end-of-life, and no longer supported. The school district wanted to upgrade to an IP communication solution across 37 separate buildings.

The school board already had a Fiber backbone that connected each of the buildings. However, the IP devices would also need power, meaning every classroom would require an MDF closet. This solution was not viable due to high costs, network complexity, network security, and safety concerns.

Additionally, many endpoint locations were well outside the 330ft (100m) reach limitation of standard switches. McKinney ISD considered laying new cable, but the $1.1 million price tag was far too high, the deployment times too long, and the project’s return on investment in jeopardy. The school district needed an innovative solution to modernize communication within the defined budget and time frame.

Solution

Due to the school district’s challenges, Cisco suggested the PoLRE switch to overcome the digital transformation barriers. The NVT Phybridge PoLRE switch delivers Ethernet and PoE over a single pair of UTP wire with up to 1,200ft (365m) reach, which is four times the reach of standard switches. Cisco was confident in the PoLRE switch and coordinated with NVT Phybridge subject matter experts to present a tailored solution to the customer.

McKinney ISD registered for a free, no-obligation proof-of-concept to test the PoLRE switch in its environment. After a few simple setup steps, the PoLRE switch transformed the existing single-pair UTP cabling infrastructure into a power-packed IP backbone with more than enough bandwidth to support the Cisco IP devices. The school district was impressed with the solution and told its technology provider, CDW, to incorporate the PoLRE switch into the proposal.

Result

McKinney ISD took a pro-active approach to find new and better ways to achieve its digital transformation goals without high costs, complexity, or disruption. CDW used the NVT Phybridge PoLRE switch to deploy over 3,300 phones without ripping and replacing the existing and proven voice infrastructure. Deploying across the 37 locations was quick and straightforward thanks to the PoLRE switch’s repeatable, predictable, and scalable deployment methodology, which further increased time and cost savings for the customer. “Deployment was quick and simple for the installation team,” said Jeannie Newman, Central US Sales Manager, NVT Phybridge. “Our Technical Support Team did an amazing job assisting with configuration over the phone.”

“The installation was really smooth,” said David Spann, CIO, McKinney Independent School District. “The PoLRE switch allowed us to modernize without having to deal with construction. We did our homework. Re-using our existing cabling and turning it into a more secure transmission model was a huge win for us and a huge win for our taxpayers. This really was a win for everyone.” McKinney ISD used the PoLRE switch to achieve incredible results:

• Reduced infrastructure costs by more than $1.1 million.
• Reduced the total deployment time by three years.
• Avoided putting IDF closets in the classrooms.
• Prevented over 10 tons of cabling e-waste.