December 18, 2008, 12:52 PM — This Best Practice is part of a collection of advice provided by information technology professionals on how they have solved various challenges, and addressed IT priorities within their organizations.
The company: Producers Gin Company, LLC -- A cotton gin located in Theodore, Ala., that processes cotton from the field, removes the seeds, and packages it for delivery to foreign and domestic mills.
The problem: Producers Gin Co. relies on the Internet to conduct day-to-day business operations. Their success depends on timely transmission of electronic warehouse receipts (EWRs) and reliable communication channels with the USDA. However, Producers Gin Co. is located beyond the reach of cable Internet and, after Hurricane Katrina, their dial-up speeds dropped so low they were written up by the USDA for late transmittal of some receipts. In an effort to maintain their business operations, Producers Gin Company sought out a satellite Internet solution.
The solution: HughesNet Business Internet from Hughes Network Systems. With advanced satellite technology, HughesNet Business Internet service delivers a secure, reliable broadband connection to businesses no matter where they are located. Built for growing businesses and starting at $59.99/month, HughesNet offers seven business Internet plans to choose from, with download speeds up to 5 Mpbs. They also offer flexible billing plans and the option to instantly upgrade as the business grows.
Who provided this information: Georgi Starr, Office Manager, Producers Gin Co., LLC
How it worked: The specialty software we use is continually updating, so our download speeds need to be constant and high. Having a reliable satellite broadband service has allowed us to receive shipping orders, create and transfer receipts and download software updates very easily. Without satellite broadband we simply wouldn't be in business.
34.7% of family farm businesses don't have Internet access
26.3% have dial-up and only 26.4% have broadband
