BlueBridge Networks Ramps Up Data Risk Mitigation for American Municipal Power

CLEVELAND and COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- For BlueBridge Networks, being a leading provider of data storage management and disaster recovery services means adapting to the specific needs of each customer. When it came to providing services for American Municipal Power (AMP), a Columbus-based nonprofit, wholesale power supplier and services provider for 129 member municipal electric systems in seven states, the goal was to offer risk mitigation with disparate power grids in Cleveland and Columbus as well as a network operations center at BlueBridge's Cleveland facility.

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Digging deeper, the BlueBridge-AMP connection creates a trusted partnership based on mutual respect and like-minded business strategies. "In a web- and data-centric world, BlueBridge is the steward of a company's lifeblood -- its IT infrastructure," says Kevin Goodman, managing director and partner, BlueBridge Networks.

"We want our IT focus to be on the core capabilities that are strategic to our business," explains Branndon Kelley, VP, IT and CIO of AMP. "Data storage and recovery are important, but not strategic to our business. When it comes to an operations center, 24-hour monitoring and disaster recovery, we wanted to let experts handle those so we can focus on bringing the highest value to our members." With BlueBridge concentrating on non-strategic IT and data services, the IT team at AMP can now place all of its emphasis on meeting its members' power needs.

BlueBridge understood AMP's goals and how to make them a reality. For instance, business sustainability was of vital importance. "As a member-owned nonprofit, we have to be fiscally responsible," say Kelley, who was recognized as CIO of the year for a small utility at the Knowledge 2012 Summit held in Houston in November. "Rather than build a data and disaster recovery center and having to hire more staff, it made the most sense to look at experts like Kevin and the BlueBridge team."

BlueBridge's customer-first approach resonates well with Kelley and his IT team.  "When the rubber hits the road, Kevin and his team are there for us, whether it's a need for cabling or a 3 a.m. onsite problem," he says. "We are not just a number with BlueBridge; we are a big part of what their organization is all about."

By working together to solve the issues of a company providing power to 129 members, BlueBridge (http://www.bluebridgenetworks.com) and AMP form a powerful and highly efficient team. "Our fast and knowledgeable team acts as an extension of the AMP staff," Goodman says.

SOURCE BlueBridge Networks