MBX Logs 90% New Customer Growth for OEM Server Appliances in 2011

WAUCONDA, Ill., Jan. 31, 2012  /PRNewswire/ -- MBX Systems today announced a 90% year-over-year growth in new business between 2010 and 2011 for the made-to-order server appliances it manufactures for software vendors and service providers who deliver their applications pre-loaded on optimized hardware systems for turnkey deployment. This increase in new business was fueled by MBX's industry-leading hardware customization, platform and software engineering capabilities, as well as value-added services including global logistics and custom branding even for smaller orders not available from customers' previous contract manufacturers.

The same benefits, coupled with 99.5% defect-free workmanship and quality procedures developed through an exclusive focus on building OEM hardware appliances and embedded systems, also drove a 98% customer retention rate and a 100% win rate for RFPs from existing customers moving from a dual-source to a single-source vendor model.

Examples of the high customization and service levels that draw OEMs and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) to MBX include hardware platforms built for:

• Agilence, Inc., a developer of point-of-sale video auditing solutions for retail loss prevention that moved to MBX from their previous integrator in 2011. Agilence selected MBX because of its ability to pre-load base software images on each appliance; provide consistent hardware reliability; scale its manufacturing processes to support Agilence orders ranging from 20 units to more than 400; and stage finished systems for mass drop shipment to end customers.
• nPulse Technologies, a provider of high performance packet capture, replay, and analysis solutions used for network security, forensics, latency measurement and performance testing. MBX devised a strategy to fit 36 hard drives and two Napatech cards in a 4U chassis that Tier 1 manufacturers were unable to deliver. MBX also images nPulse's software, configures each appliance for the end user's network, and applies custom branding to the chassis top and shipping cartons as well as the faceplate.
• BAE Systems, which engaged MBX to build appliances for a new cyber security application used by government and critical infrastructure customers. MBX supplied CAD-based custom component design to meet BAE needs, a custom faceplate with a locking mechanism requiring a key to block unauthorized access, and support to meet stringent customer requirements.

"MBX is a first-class OEM manufacturer and hardware partner. They contributed to the development of a new offering in 2011 from an early stage, adding their engineering expertise, branding experience, and custom manufacturing processes to meet our need," said Bill Mabon, Technical Director, BAE Systems. "MBX is hands-on with their appliance programs and has become an integral extension of our product team."

MBX's purpose-built appliances provide a reliable alternative to delivering software and media applications via electronic download, virtual instances or in the cloud. Each system is built to optimize the performance of that particular application and loaded with the vendor's software, eliminating the need for IT staff at the customer site to install, configure and fine-tune software setup on general-purpose servers. MBX's value-added services relieve software vendors of additional hardware management responsibilities.

The company has developed special production, picking, tracking, resource allocation and quality control processes, including a proprietary shop floor application with fail-safe mechanisms to prevent build errors, to handle high variability as well as high volume without sacrificing quality.

MBX serves customers in more than 40 vertical industries, including data archiving, network storage, data and network security, voice over IP, communications and messaging, content management, network monitoring, high performance computing and cloud computing. End users include businesses and institutions of all kinds.

About MBX Systems

Founded in 1995, MBX Systems is a leader in the configuration, manufacturing and deployment of server appliances and optimized systems for application developers and service providers. MBX combines turnkey hardware programs with value-added services delivered through a dedicated account team, including platform configuration, hardware branding, inventory management, global logistics, product support, and system warranties. For more information, visit www.mbx.com or call 800-560-1195.

SOURCE MBX Systems