Unified Grocers Implements MegaPath Retail Site SSL To Support Secure Remote Access For More Than 220 Locations

MegaPath’s Managed VPN and Security Services Enable Retail Grocers to Meet Strict PCI Compliance Requirements

COSTA MESA, CA, April 29, 2008 – MegaPath Inc., the leading provider of managed IP data, voice and security services in North America, today announced that Unified Grocers , the largest wholesale grocery distributor in the Western United States, has purchased MegaPath’s Retail Site SSL and Managed Security services.  MegaPath Retail Site SSL allows approximately 220 independent retail grocery stores (members and customers of Unified Grocers) to easily and securely access their in-store systems. MegaPath’s Managed Security service also ensures that the stores’ applications and business critical data are protected at all times. Unified plans to add another 105 supported sites as it integrates locations from its fall 2007 acquisition of Seattle-based Associated Grocers.

With the MegaPath Retail Site SSL service, retail members and customers of Unified Grocers can easily and cost-effectively manage operations remotely, accessing point of sale (POS) systems, servers and back office PCs, as well as performing routine application maintenance and troubleshooting activities.  The Retail Site SSL service provides members with a specialized Web portal that is integrated with MegaPath’s Operational Support Systems, which authenticates and grants users access to their specific stores, preventing unauthorized users from accessing these locations.  In addition, the MegaPath Managed Security service protects Unified Grocers’ members’ credit card data, business information and systems.  Safeguarding users from both internal and external threats, the service includes Managed Firewall, Anti-Virus, Anti-Spam, Anti-Spyware, Intrusion Prevention, Web Filtering, and Security Certificates

“Unified Grocers is a longtime Broadband VPN customer of MegaPath, and we are excited about the new capabilities its Retail Site SSL and Managed Security Services are providing to our members,” said Dan Swofford, retail technology products manager, Unified Grocers.  “By combining high-speed Broadband and remote access with leading edge security services, MegaPath is helping our members improve how they manage their retail stores, while also helping to ensure that systems are secure and credit card transactions that run on our retail network are PCI-compliant.  This is essential  for our business and it is a primary reason why we trust and rely on MegaPath as a business partner.”

Unified recently completed a pilot of these services with one of its member-customers who operates a chain of stores in southern Oregon. The pilot program proved that MegaPath’s Secure Remote Access significantly improved members’ productivity with superior in-store management capabilities.  In addition to remote IT support, the member-customer was able to closely monitor transactions and activities within their stores, reducing the number of onsite visits. 

“MegaPath’s complete line of fully managed access, VPN and security services provides our customers with the infrastructure they need to not only conduct business, but to completely outpace their competitors,” said James Cragg, President and COO of MegaPath.  “Because they serve a very large number of independent retail grocery stores in a vast marketing area, Unified Grocers requires a solution that can meet the needs of a broad and diverse membership. MegaPath’s flexibility enables these retail grocers to increase productivity while also improving the way they manage systems at all locations.  This provides significant competitive advantages and reduces overhead.”

As the first integrated MPLS and SSL VPN solution designed specifically for retail businesses, MegaPath Retail Site SSL delivers strong authentication and helps ensure that business owners remain PCI compliant.  Previously, retailers faced significant challenges when accessing in-store systems because traditional remote access solutions typically use static public IP addresses that can be easily identified and exploited.  MegaPath Retail Site SSL is reducing the cost and complexity of remote access, while also eliminating the security issues created by previous generation solutions.

Contact:

Tony Welz
Welz & Weisel Communications
(703) 218-3555
Tony@W2comm.com

About Unified Grocers
Unified Grocers, Inc. is a retailer-owned wholesale grocery cooperative that provides grocery products and services to independent retailers throughout the Western United States. Unified and its subsidiaries, which generated $3.13 billion in sales during fiscal 2007, offer independent retailers all the resources they need to compete in the supermarket industry.

About MegaPath Inc.
MegaPath is the leading provider of managed IP communications services in North America.  MegaPath leverages its wide selection of broadband connectivity, Virtual Private Networks, Voice over IP (VoIP) and security technologies to enable businesses to lower costs, increase security and enhance productivity.  Businesses of all sizes can easily and securely communicate between their headquarters, branch offices, retail locations, mobile workers, and business partners.
To learn more about why over 22,000 companies have chosen MegaPath’s managed IP data, voice and security services to improve their business communications, visit www.megapath.com or call 1-877-MegaPath (634-2728).