International jewellery retailer selects new networking technology and services to support rapid expansion and ambitious growth plans

Anthony Nicholas Group (ANG) is rolling out a secure, managed network from retail communications systems provider Vodat International to improve communications between all stores and head offices in the UK and Ireland.

A new wide area network (WAN) will facilitate the integration of the retailer’s entire IT and business systems on a single, private and secure network.

Dublin-based ANG operates Fields Jewellers with 13 stores across Ireland and Fraser Hart Jewellers with 38 stores throughout the UK. Significant expansion of the group necessitates real-time visibility of the entire estate across Ireland and the UK to meet the growing demands of omnichannel retailing. Vodat reported that it was able to offer ANG the managed multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) network and Wi-Fi to meet its needs.

Responding to customer expectations

Colin Hadden, Anthony Nicholas Group chief information officer, stated: “The customers’ attitude to bricks-and-mortar stores is evolving rapidly and we must be able to provide much more than the traditional retail experience by offering added services such as click and collect, fast interest-free credit approval and secure Wi-Fi access for customers’ devices. 

"This integrated network monitored 24 hours a day by Vodat International, facilitates these services alongside visibility of real-time stock levels and business intelligence, enabling us to meet the demands of our customers to a much higher degree.”

ANG is also deploying the cloud-managed Meraki Wi-Fi access point system, allowing them to securely connect mobile point-of-sale (PoS) terminals to shop servers. Additional discrete channels carry encrypted chip and PIN payment transactions, securely segregated from content managed customer Wi-Fi access to customer devices.

Looking to deploy staff tablets

Hadden added: “It is essential to provide our customers with a seamless, joined-up shopping experience. We plan to equip our sales teams with mobile PoS tablets in all of our stores using secure platforms from technology leaders such as Vodat. Their wealth of experience of the challenges the retail industry faces and close coupled customer service makes Vodat International the natural choice for our network management.”