ON THE CASE
Cradlepoint makes networking for click & collect businesses a ‘ doddle ’
Cradlepoint has re-engineered the enterprise network model for click & collect company Doddle , as it prepares for expansion . The re-engineered network model has reduced Doddle ’ s business capex and technology opex by nearly 50 per cent , by enabling greater flexibility for deployment and maintenance .
Doddle , based in the UK with over 80 stores in train stations , universities , shopping centres and business parks , has many sites in confined or restricted spaces . It needs to operate an efficient and reliable network without cumbersome and space intensive hardware . Doddle can now run sites from a single in-store connection , bringing together routing , multi-WAN support , advanced security , private network support , and high performance Wi-Fi in a routing platform that can be deployed , managed and optimised via the cloud .
With ambitious expansion plans , Doddle needed the ability to deploy and remotely operate its network across a large number of dispersed sites , with only a small IT team supporting its employees and resources shared with retail partners .
The company turned to Cradlepoint for help to design and deploy a cost effective , robust solution that would not require a fixed cable or hardware cabinet . Cradlepoint ’ s AER1600 allin-one network solution was chosen to replace legacy equipment across 50 stores and is now the technology model for ongoing expansion . For further information visit : www . cradlepoint . com
Andrew Metcalfe of Opal IT ( left ) with Ross Murdoch of Cargilfield .
Scotland ’ s first prep school seals deal with IT solutions provider
Opal has now added Cargilfield School , the oldest independent boarding and day prep school in Scotland , to its client list .
The organisation had previously experienced major problems with its IT infrastructure and turned to Opal in a bid to find a robust long term solution .
Opal created a multi-site server virtual environment to protect the school against loss of data and downtime . The work included a comprehensive disaster recovery system for Cargilfield ’ s main school building , the installation of a 40Gb fibre optic cable with ultra-fast Wi-Fi and a secure cloud based back up solution to protect critical school data .
The deal is the latest win for Opal in the education sector , where it already works with several high profile state and independent schools across the UK .
Ross Murdoch , deputy head at Cargilfield School , said , ‘ Previously we had a three-year contract with another provider but we weren ’ t satisfied because we were finding glitches and problems with the network on a regular basis . We decided we ’ d look for another provider because we knew we needed someone with experience in installing an infrastructure that would allow children and staff to use our newly integrated iPads .
‘ Thanks to Opal , we now have a more reliable and robust network that ’ s scalable and can evolve with the development of our school .’ For further information visit : www . opal-it . co . uk
Gigaclear awards procurement contract to Atkins
Gigaclear has chosen Atkins as its procurement partner as the company continues to grow and expand its reach in new areas of the country .
The initial focus of Atkins ’ work will be to support Gigaclear ’ s work in the South-West . This follows the announcement in December made by Connecting Devon and Somerset that it had chosen Gigaclear to deliver ultra fast broadband to over 35,000 homes across the two counties as part of its phase two roll-out . As a result , Atkins will be responsible for negotiating the framework agreements with contractors needed to deliver the new network , which will require some 5,300km of pure fibre cables to be installed .
The partnership with Atkins , valued at around £ 250,000 , could also be extended to cover future contract wins as Gigaclear looks to expand its involvement in other government backed broadband delivery projects .
Brett Shepherd , Gigaclear ’ s chief operating officer , commented , ‘ As we continue to grow , it is essential that our procurement process is managed in an efficient and streamlined way and Atkins ’ experience and expertise in this area will ensure we achieve this .’
Martyn Lass , head of development infrastructure at Atkins , said , ‘ This is an exciting and hugely important project for rural communities and economies in the South West and we look forward to working with Gigaclear to roll out new broadband networks that connect businesses and people .’ For further information visit : www . gigaclear . com / can-i-get-it
14 | February 2017