Case Studies

Gordons (Bolton) Limited

Gordons (Bolton) Limited is a family owned business which started selling and maintaining Ford motorcars back in 1914. It now has four sites across Lancashire in Bolton, Wigan, Howich and Walkden.

Gordons commissioned APC Solutions to connect two of its dealerships, Bolton and Wigan, with a wireless network which would deliver in excess of 50Mbs. The network would be used to transfer VOIP data between sites, manage customer’s data and ensure an excellent level of customer service.

APC also include a WI-FI hotspot client network at both dealerships to enable customers to access the internet while waiting for their car to be serviced or repaired.

The challenge

The two dealerships APC Solutions needed to connect were in excess of 40km apart. Over this large distance, there were many obstructions and obstacles in the path. These obstructions are both manmade and natural obstacles including buildings and large developments areas and of course, the profile of the land, which included hills and trees. With these factors to contest with, APC Solutions needed a solution, which was robust and could deliver exceptional reliability even in the most demanding environments.

Our solution

APC installed two Motorola PTP500 wireless links operating in the 5GHz frequencies. Due to the natural gradients in the land profile, APC utilised an Arqiva mast structure known as Heather Hall. This provided a suitable hop site to allow the two dealerships to route through the mast site as a direct link. This solution would deliver in excess of 50Mbs data throughput allowing Gordon’s to run single network architecture across both sites. With reliable and constant data throughput speeds between the two sites, Gordon’s could adapt its network to include VoIP telephone services. The network would also provide a co-location for its IT infrastructure, allowing ease of management and reducing on-going IT costs.

Due to planned development and building works at the Bolton dealership, APC installed a MRV 1Gbs FSO (Free Space Optical Link) as a backup to a pre-existing fibre which was due to be removed in the development project. The FSO link provided a short distance, high data, throughput link between the communication room above the main showroom and a building around 100 metres away. Due to the development works there was a great concern that a traditional fibre cable would become severed and connectivity would be lost. As the link between the two building was wireless, this could not happen, thus providing a secure and fully operational service at all times.

With the addition of the Wireless Point to Point network connecting the two dealerships, APC also installed an Enterprise Wireless LAN (eWLAN) network internally at both dealerships. The Wireless network provided both Gordon’s Ford staff with access to its corporate network and customer’s access to a Wi-Fi Hotspot solution. Customers visiting either dealership were able to connect their personal devices such as a smartphone, tablet or laptop to the hotspot network. The Wi-Fi hotspot allowed customers to be able to use the internet for business or leisure whilst waiting for their car to be serviced or repaired.

Speaking about the solution, Sandy Jackson, Group IT Manager, comments: “Previously, our old network between the two dealerships could only deliver limited bandwidth and performance, therefore restricting our business operations. The alternative solution APC designed and delivered is exceptional. It delivers a high bandwidth reliable link with no downtime, no monthly re-occuring costs, no lengthy contract terms and a team constantly on hand should we need them. It is critical to our business development and general day to day operations going forward, we couldn’t recommend it enough”

The result

APC Solutions delivered a network which was incredibly cost effecitive. Speaking about the network, David Bell, APC Solutions Group Sales Director comments: “Installing a wireless network can deliver huge savings to businesses whether they’re connecting two or fifty premises. The initial deployment and setup costs can genrally be recouped in within 18-24months, making the ROI (return on Investment) excellent. And furthermore, with no ongoing monthly fees or lenghty legal contracts, makes our solution, the, solution of choice for many. The solution APC provided to Gordons has enabled them to stremline their business. Communication between the sites is imperative and now, with the new network, files can be transfered between sites easily and quickly with increasly reduced upload time. Cutsomer service is a huge part of Gordons business, with the new network in place, customers can experience the same level of customer service at whichever branch they visit.

APC Superfast Broadband Bronze 30 Package

"It is quite simply 1000 times better. The difference is incredible. Upload & Download is so quick. I uploaded 240MB to my Dropbox folder today in less than 2 mins. Before, it would have taken possibly all day.
Thanks very much indeed – very pleased"
Toby Pache, Managing Director, Sharon Lee Limited, Braintree

“We’re delighted with the new Wi-Fi solution which addresses all of our requirements. We needed to be able to offer visitors to the Town Hall free Wi-Fi, but we also needed our own encrypted network for internal use. The Town Hall regularly hosts events, is used as a wedding venue and features conference facilities all of which require access to Wi-Fi. Being able to offer Wi-Fi in to the function rooms where guests can log on for free is now an expected requirement of our guests and we couldn’t offer the Town Hall as a business venue without it!”
Braintree District Council

“We’re delighted we can now offer our supporters free Wi-Fi. Our supporters are highly dedicated and with many followers on Twitter alone, we had to ensure they could stay connected during and after the games. Having guest access in our clubhouse and functions rooms also ensures our meetings can run efficiently. The ability to track the usage of the Wi-Fi and offer a password protected corporate network is further testament to the great service APC Solutions has provided us with.”
Braintree Town FC

“With the waterways in constant use we needed connectivity that wouldn’t dip, could connect a multitude of sites across difficult terrain and provide a consistent and adaptable service. APC provided this to us with a managed wireless network. The cost savings of a wireless network also proved appealing when looking for a solution. Our existing solution could only provide 2Mbs whereas the wireless network would provide in excess of 20Mbs. The existing leased line services also had re-occurring annual rental costs, however with the new solution, the initial CAPEX costs would be recovered in just under two years; making the ROI very attractive. We had worked with APC previously and found their service exceptional.”
British Waterways

“APC is the perfect partner to help us complete the installations across Carmarthenshire. Their wireless expertise is second to none and, coupled with our ISP and domestic knowledge, ensured the project was completed effectively, on budget and on time.”
Carmarthen Community Broadband Partnership

“APC has ensured C.E.M Days can deliver the highest level of customer service to its customers across the dealership network because it offers a consistent and adaptable network. Our staff can now connect easily throughout our dealership network, ensuring customer data can be transferred at a click of a button. The network has also offered an excellent TOC (total cost of ownership), and delivered an ROI (return on investment) in just a few years, compared with alternative cabled solutions from other providers. The wireless network APC has built and developed for us over the years has saved us in excess of £700k since being installed back in 2007.”
C.E.M. Days

“Even though our solution is now five years old we don’t need to upgrade the system. The technology has stayed ahead of its time and the service we have received from APC is second to none.”
Essex Auto Group

“Previously, our old network between the two dealerships could only deliver limited bandwidth and performance, therefore restricting our business operations. The alternative solution APC designed and delivered is exceptional. It delivers a high bandwidth reliable link with no downtime, no monthly re-occuring costs, no lengthy contract terms and a team constantly on hand should we need them. It is critical to our business development and general day to day operations going forward, we couldn’t recommend it enough”
Gordons Bolton Limited

“APC has ensured our company can progress at a rapid rate. The ease of connectivity between the sites allows our dealerships to be consistent. Communication with the dealerships is now simple and any information needed to be delivered can be done at a click of a button. We don’t have to worry about bandwidths or sending large files, they’re easily supported and delivered.

This ensures consistent marketing and communication to customers and staff. The VoIP network also ensures our customers receive the very best in customer service. The person they speak to will instantly know their history and can deal with their call effectively. From a management point of view the cost savings and ROI speak for themselves. Our ROI will be achieved in less than four years and after this time will demonstrate savings in excess of £150k per annum, potentially saving us in excess of £1million over ten years. A remarkable saving for the company.”
Hendy Group

“APC Solutions has provided Selex with a network which delivers exceptional reliability. We had already planned where the radar needed to be but connecting over such distances was proving difficult. APC ensured the result catered to our needs and delivered an exceptional result.”
Selex Systems

“The selection was based purely on available feedbacks of organisations who have used Ruckus Wireless, Ruckus’ Wireless capabilities and features in addition to a report of a ‘Competitive Evaluation of Three-stream 802.11n Access Points’ carried out by the School of Information Studies, Syracuse University.

“While the reason for such a decision wasn’t based on the overall features offered by the shortlisted solutions, it was based on our judgment of the throughput levels that will meet the needs of the Forum partners and visitors alike. It is our belief that Ruckus Wireless’ ZoneFlex 7982 is a cost effective option which offers the best overall performance of any of the other products we shortlisted. In addition, we believe that Ruckus’ performance will be sufficient to support the business requirements. The additional expertise that APC delivered throughout the investigation process brought us to the decision that the Ruckus/APC Partnership was the best fit for the proposed solution.”
Southend on Sea Borough Council

“The benefits to Wandle Housing Association were huge: the Motorola kit represented cost savings of approximately £200,000 over the leased line that the Association had intended to install. In addition, they have seen enhancements in the speed of traffic between the sites in Clapham, Tooting and Peckham. With staff in three locations communication is essential, as Brian Stoneman, Director, explains: “Until APC and Tora Networks were involved, we had been intending to install a leased line to give the connectivity we needed. The alternative point to point network is extremely affordable, giving us all the benefits of a leased line without all the associated cost. We’re delighted with the outcome.”
Wandle Housing Association

“As a business we take pride in supplying a high standard of work to social landlords, so it’s rewarding when we find another business that has an equally high service level. Our partnership with APC is intrinsic to meeting both our commercial goals and external targets.”
Mr Potter, Roalco Managing Director

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