CASESTUDY
35
NEW COMMS TAKES
COSTCUTTER TO
THE AIRWAVES
Supermarket group, Costcutter has implemented new network
communications technology across 200 of its UK-wide stores
to provide the capability for radio streaming, online ordering
and remote access to store systems.
M
ade up of 30 company-owned stores, 60 and anti-spam services are all included to protect the
licensed stores and 1,450 independent network and Costcutter’s sensitive data.”
retailers across the UK, Costcutter is one of Using a 2MB leased line into the York head of� ce
the UK’s fastest growing companies with its turnover has enabled staff to communicate with stores across The secure
increasing year on year. the country. And Costcutter managers can now access
link we now
Using an old system that included highly restrictive store systems and stock information remotely from
dial-up connectivity, Costcutter found it needed a any location or device, with the con� dence that the
have across our
more secure and reliable network to provide increased necessary security measures are in place. entire store
bandwidth. Since implementing the Vialtus solution, Costcutter
network into
Kevin Widdrington, Costcutter IT director explained: has seen signi� cant cost savings, as well as dramatic cuts
“In order to achieve our IT strategy, we needed to in the time it takes to complete essential procedures.
gives us the
implement a broadband connection that would enable Widdrington added: “One of the major bene� ts of the ability to analyse
us to explore other opportunities, such as electronic solution is the secure link we now have across our entire
sales and stock
invoicing and the delivery of a streamed regional radio store network into C-PoS at head of� ce. It is reliable and
service. Our legacy systems were too slow for our gives us the ability to analyse sales and stock data and
data and has
requirements and meant that we were unable to upgrade has eradicated time-consuming processes.” eradicated
the infrastructure to incorporate these new aspects.” Costcutter stores also now have an online ordering
time-consuming
Costcutter has its own electronic point-of-sale system with the ability to receive delivery notes
(EPoS) system called C-PoS to help its outlets manage and invoices electronically. This has reduced time-
processes
all aspects of the retail environment and communicate consuming administration processes and stock checking
with head of� ce. “C-PoS helps us to manage and run and audit procedures have considerably improved.
price and product promotions. However, in order And ‘InTune’ Radio, Costcutter’s internal radio station,
to implement these at store level, many tasks had to can now be streamed over the MPLS broadband
be replicated by every one of our retailers, which is connection. Individual stores can broadcast regional
extremely time consuming. We needed a system that content and store-speci� c promotions. And it has
would enable these processes to be handled by head provided additional revenue-generating opportunities
of� ce, reducing the amount of time investment needed through offering advertising space on the station.
from the individual stores,” continued Widdrington. “We are currently evaluating a number of future
In 2005, Costcutter discussed its requirements with projects with Vialtus and I’m con� dent that Vialtus’
several specialist communication providers before innovative technology in the retail space will help us
opting for Vialtus Solutions. The retailer now has a continually evolve our business,” concluded Widdrington.
private multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) network
that links back into the secure Vialtus data centre
at Harbour Exchange in London. MPLS is a � exible
network technology that facilitates the deployment of
VPN services capable of maximising bandwidth.
“The new network that we now have is vital to
the effective running of Costcutter stores,” added
Widdrington. “Security is of paramount importance to
us and, as part of the solution, Vialtus provides a range
of security features. A managed � rewall, anti-virus
NOVEMBER 2008 RETAIL TECHNOLOGY
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