Exotic Motors

Background

Exotic Motors Collision Repair, based in Washington state, has provided specialized collision repair and vehicle restoration services since 1994. Owned and operated by Rose Graham and her husband for over a decade, Exotic Motors specializes in luxury and performance vehicles, maintaining certifications from 17 leading auto manufacturers, including Tesla and Audi. The shop prioritizes precision repairs using factory-original parts and paint, maintaining a strict standard of quality and authenticity.

The facility consists of two closely situated buildings, recently renovated and expanded to meet growing customer demands. Exotic Motors operates without a dedicated IT department, requiring solutions manageable by non-technical staff.

Historically, the business faced challenges with fragmented IT infrastructure, managing separate vendors for networking, security cameras, telephony, and physical security, complicating administration and increasing operating costs.

Business Requirements

Exotic Motors sought a unified solution to address critical operational needs:

• Ease of Use: The solution had to be simple enough for Rose to administer independently, given the absence of a dedicated IT staff.
• No Subscription Fees: Avoiding recurring license fees for networking, telephony, and security hardware was crucial for predictable budgeting.
• Reliability: Network stability was paramount. Tesla-certified collision repair facilities, such as Exotic Motors, require a minimum synchronous 100 Mbps internet connection to enable seamless communication between vehicles in repair and Tesla’s network.

Why UniFi

UniFi was selected for its integrated ecosystem covering networking, physical security, telephony, EV charging, and IoT, addressing Exotic Motors’ core requirements:

• All-in-One Platform: UniFi provided a single, cohesive management interface for network infrastructure, security cameras, telephony (UniFi Talk), access control (UniFi Access), and EV charging, simplifying IT operations significantly.
• License-Free Model: UniFi’s model eliminated ongoing licensing costs, aligning with Exotic Motors' budgeting strategy.
• Proven Reliability and Scalability: UniFi met the demanding connectivity requirements set by Tesla, ensuring stable synchronous internet connectivity and comprehensive network redundancy.

Network Deployment & Key Features

High-Speed Reliable Network Connectivity

UniFi networking equipment, including the UDM Pro gateway, ProMax switches, and strategically placed APs, fulfilled Tesla’s 100 Mbps synchronous connectivity requirement. Additionally, Exotic Motors deployed a UniFi XG Bridge to establish a high-speed, 10-gigabit wireless connection between its two buildings, circumventing prohibitive business fiber costs while ensuring low latency and robust connectivity.

UniFi Protect: Enhanced Physical Security

The decision to fully embrace UniFi Protect was significantly influenced by a security incident involving the theft of a high-value Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon, worth approximately $300,000. An intruder had stolen vehicle keys by impersonating an insurance adjuster, returning later to take the vehicle. Though the stolen vehicle was quickly recovered using GPS, the incident highlighted security gaps. Exotic Motors installed UniFi Protect AI Pro cameras and PTZ cameras, providing real-time alerts, facial recognition capabilities, and license plate tracking. Cameras integrated seamlessly with UniFi Access, allowing monitoring and control from any location, significantly bolstering security.

UniFi Talk: Streamlined Telephony

UniFi Talk replaced Exotic Motors’ legacy Mitel system, eliminating complex hardware and licensing fees. Employees valued the simplicity, modern aesthetic, and ability to view UniFi Protect camera feeds directly on the phones. Additionally, UniFi phones uniquely simplified administration tasks such as programming employee access cards using the built-in NFC reader.

UniFi EV Charging

Exotic Motors installed four UniFi EV chargers—three indoors and one outdoors—to service repaired electric vehicles, aligning perfectly with their specialty in Tesla-certified repairs. UniFi chargers offered seamless management and monitoring integrated within the UniFi ecosystem, providing critical infrastructure supporting the shop’s evolving customer base.

Additional Solutions & Expansion

UniFi Access: Advanced Physical Security

Three doors in the primary building were equipped with UniFi G3 Access Readers, with additional deployments planned for their second building post-renovation. Access control integrated tightly with UniFi Protect and Talk, enhancing overall facility security.

Future-Proof Expansion

Exotic Motors plans to deploy additional UniFi AI cameras and leverage UniFi Identity features for employee and customer management, further capitalizing on UniFi’s integrated capabilities.

Conclusion

UniFi comprehensively addressed Exotic Motors Collision Repair’s essential requirements: ease of management, license-free operation, and absolute reliability. By implementing UniFi’s fully integrated solutions—from network infrastructure and advanced security systems to telephony and EV charging—Exotic Motors streamlined operations, significantly enhanced security, and positioned itself well for future technological growth.

UniFi’s seamless integration across critical operational domains solidified its position as Exotic Motors’ trusted partner for ongoing success and expansion.