ATLANTA, Dec. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- EarthLink, Inc. (NASDAQ: ELNK) a leading IT and communications provider, today announced that Mexico City-based Payrolling, a leader in payroll and human resources consulting services in Mexico for some of the world's largest financial institutions, airlines and other companies, has selected EarthLink for a comprehensive, customized virtual data center solution that includes Dedicated Server with Platinum-level Managed Hosting, Dedicated Hosted Email, Hosted Network Security and external and internal vulnerability and audit assessments. Click here to view EarthLink's Payrolling case study.

For 15 years, Payrolling has provided payroll and human resources consulting services in Mexico for a clientele with very stringent security demands, including complex and frequent audits. With the responsibility to deliver the most crucial HR functions to support approximately 4,500 Mexico-based client employees, Payrolling's IT and Operations leaders concluded that their previous data center provider, considered the most advanced in Mexico, could not keep pace with their growing security demands, stifling their effectiveness and growth.

Payrolling IT and Implementation Manager Marcelo Ahuerma undertook a thorough US search for a provider that would comply with the company's extensive security requirements. Of the ten companies he evaluated, EarthLink immediately stood out because of its rapid response, knowledgeable team, and a truly customized, comprehensive solution that met current and future security demands.

"EarthLink spent a full day with us during the evaluation process, working to truly understand our needs, and suggested a better alternative to the architecture we originally proposed. With their level of knowledge, we knew we found the right partner," Ahuerma explained. "EarthLink was the only data center provider that offered everything we wanted and delivered a long-term solution that can grow with us."

EarthLink now hosts the majority of Payrolling's data center and IT services in a U.S.-based data center using a customized virtual solution with dedicated servers. Due to the high security, privacy and compliance needs of their clients, EarthLink implemented dedicated servers for Payrolling's business applications and a dedicated hosted email platform.

Before switching to EarthLink for Dedicated Hosted Email, Payrolling was forced to rely on more than one email service provider to meet the required security standards. With Dedicated Hosted Email from EarthLink, the company now enjoys a single provider for email security, with email encryption.

To protect their infrastructure, EarthLink implemented a customized firewall solution for Payrolling as part of its Hosted Network Security services to create a private cloud. EarthLink's fully managed Hosted Network Security service protects from both inbound and outbound security threats and provides Payrolling with 24/7/365 monitoring.  For support of its entire virtualized infrastructure, Payrolling chose EarthLink's Platinum Managed Hosting Service, the highest level of support and management.

With their new EarthLink solution in place for nearly a year, Payrolling could not be happier with the results. "Moving our data center to EarthLink was the best business decision we have made," Ahuerma shared. "We are better prepared to grow and can compete more effectively for clients that demand the highest level of security. Because we are now at the upper end of the security level, we find that we're meeting client expectations from the beginning, instead of having to add security afterward. Our initial planning with EarthLink was so complete that everything is covered."

"For an international customer like Payrolling, with the most stringent financial compliance requirements, to choose EarthLink is a resounding endorsement of the strength of our data center and IT Services offering," said Michael Toplisek, EarthLink Executive Vice President of Products and Marketing. "Now that Payrolling has the confidence that they can pass audits, their clients have tremendous trust and loyalty. Lifting this burden from their IT staff enables them to focus on growth."

About EarthLink

EarthLink, Inc. (NASDAQ: ELNK) is a leading IT services and communications provider to more than 150,000 businesses and one million consumers nationwide. EarthLink empowers customers with managed services including cloud computing, managed and private cloud, and virtualization services such as managed hosting and cloud workspace. EarthLink also offers a robust portfolio of IT security, application hosting, colocation and IT support services. The company operates an extensive network spanning 28,800 route fiber miles with 90 metro fiber rings and 4 secure data centers providing ubiquitous nationwide data and voice IP service coverage across more than 90 percent of the country. Founded in 1994, EarthLink's award-winning reputation for outstanding service and product innovation is supported by an experienced team of professionals focused on best-in-class customer care.  For more information, visit EarthLink's website at www.earthlink.net.

About Payrolling

For organizations that operate globally, it can be difficult to navigate the diverse human resources and payroll requirements for employees distributed in many countries. For help on the ground in Mexico, some of the world's largest financial institutions, airlines and other companies rely on Payrolling. A leading human capital consulting, integration and administration company based in Mexico, Payrolling's expert teams of analysts, human resources consultants, engineers and labor advisors have guarantee the quality of their products and services for 15 years. For more information, visit www.sisnom.com.

SOURCE EarthLink, Inc.