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CSK Auto Responsive On-Site Server Install

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Case Studies

CSK Auto Responsive On-Site Server and Network Install

For Phoenix-based InterTech Computers, impossible missions are few and far between. When InterTech customer CSK Auto recently asked the solution provider to embark on a major project with only five days’ notice, president and CEO Mike Novotny turned to the Ingram Micro Service Network (IMSN) for assistance — with excellent results.

The One That Didn’t Get Away

CSK Auto owns and operates more than 1,100 retail auto-parts stores in 19 states. In spring 2004, the company bought new Dell servers for each store with the goal of refreshing technology in all its locations. Although CSK Auto had purchased the servers directly from Dell instead of from InterTech, Novotny knew there was still opportunity to be had. Instead of letting his company be dragged into a price war, he held back and pursued the service profit instead — a strategy he had used successfully in the past.

"When everyone else is fighting over the price [of the hardware], we bring up the fact that the customer is going to need service and support. There's more to a refresh than buying servers."

Michael Novotny, President & CEO

Ready, Set, Install

Sure enough, when CSK Auto was ready to begin installation several months later, the company contacted InterTech for assistance. The timeframe was tight — only six weeks to install all 1,188 servers — and the work needed to begin less than a week after the initial request. In addition, service providers at each location would be restricted to brief windows of opportunity when they could actually enter the stores and complete the work.

"They had to arrive at 6 a.m., do the installation and be finished by the time the store opened at 8 a.m."

Ken Stewart, Director of Technical Services

Given the situation, Stewart knew the best way to handle the work was through the IMSN’s project deployment services. He provided a list of CSK Auto’s locations to the project deployment coordinator, who geo-matched them and contacted potential partners while InterTech began writing the install script and building the servers. By the time the end user’s target start date arrived, InterTech was ready to roll — and despite the challenges of winter weather and holiday shipping slowdowns, the project was completed on schedule.

Keys to Success

According to Stewart and Novotny, clear communication was vital throughout the CSK Auto rollout. Before each install, InterTech held a conference call with the servicing partner to make sure the partner’s technicians understood what was required. InterTech also set up a dedicated web site so partners could access the latest documentation and emergency contact numbers in real time. But both men agree that IMSN was the deciding factor in their success.

"If the network hadn't been in place, this project would have been impossible to coordinate."

Ken Stewart, Director of Technical Services