Case Studies

Quest

APC Solutions first established its relationship with Quest when it was still an IT based company in 1996. In 2004, when wireless technology matured and OFCOM frequencies and licenses allowed APC to achieve connectivity where previous solutions failed, APC delivered its first wireless link to Quest Motors who were then based on Maldon High Street, in Essex.

APC has provided Quest with ever evolving solutions as their business has matured and expanded.

The challenge

Quest was soon to be moving premises to a new, larger dealership on Wycke Business Park in Maldon, Essex. In order to ensure communication between the old premises in Maldon, the new site in Maldon and the main dealership in Braintree, Essex. APC had to install a temporary ‘hop’ site at the old dealership while the new dealership was in the process of being built. This link stayed in place for 2 years. Although the link was functioning perfectly well, the old dealership was to be knocked down. This resulted in APC moving the temporary ‘hop’ site to a trailer mast near to the new Wycke Hill dealership. The trailer mast remained in place while Quest sought permission to build their own tower on land owned by Quest at Wycke Hill which was near the new dealership on the industrial park. Once permission had been granted, Quest called upon APC again to move the link to the new location and retain its current link back to Quest Motors in Braintree.

Further to this requirement, Quest’s required Wi-Fi hot spot access for its customers at each of its dealerships. The Wi-Fi network needed to be encrypted and only available to guests via a log in screen which would capture the users data and could, should the user opt in, be used for marketing purposes.

Although Quest is based within a few metres of a BT cabinet, BT are unable to offer the business fibre broadband connectivity. APC Solutions has supplied wireless broadband connectivity to Quest across their Essex sites since 2012.

Our solution

The new location of the dealership would prove difficult to obtain a line of site connection due to the varied heights of buildings around the industrial estate and the distance between the two locations, over 16 miles. In order to ensure a reliable, consistent and high-speed connection could be secured, Quest partnered with O2 to build its own 30 meter lattice tower. The tower would house the new link, which would continue to provide the connection between the Braintree and Maldon sites. APC used the Orthogon Systems Spectra which has been re-labelled and is now known as the Cambium Networks PTP600. Quest are still using the same hardware supplied with the firmware updates loaded when these were released

The result

APC’s longstanding relationship with Quest has ensured the company has not received any downtime in its link despite the multiple moves of location and hop site. Speaking about the Installation, APC Solutions Technical Project Manager, Lee Collis, comments: “The Quest installations really demonstrate the flexibility of wireless solutions. Being able to use hop sites allows the links to be in place even when the original location needs to be moved. Then, when a new location is found, the link can simply be moved and reconfigured to suit the surroundings and profile of the new location. Even when there are obstacles in the path of a new location, towers, hop sites or trailer masts can ensure the link can provide exceptional throughput with almost zero downtime.”

Quest’s, Martin Gozzett continues: “We always know we can rely on APC Solutions to adapt our existing link to suit our growing business needs. The flexibility of a wireless solutions means the link can grow and develop, as our business needs change. Should we wish to add future dealerships to our existing network, fine. Move location, again, not a problem. With a leased line alternative we could be waiting months for a new line to put in place, with APC, a new link could be added in a matter of days. It’s this fast response time and extreme flexibility that keeps our business running to the best of its ability. The VoIP network run across the links also ensures customer service is consistent at any dealership and customer’s details can be accessed from any location.

“The relationship we have built with APC over the past 17 years is exceptional. Their technical support team are always on hand however small the problem might be and can also offer training to any new members of the team, should they require it. They are also keen to ensure our links stay current, advising of developments in the market place and new products brought to market, which could improve our business.

“As Wi-Fi began to hit the market place we knew APC could provide us with guest access for our clients. We needed to ensure the network could be protected and traceable back to individual users in accordance with licensing laws. APC provided us with a high speed, encrypted Wi-Fi hot spot that ensured customers could connect, for free, whilst on visiting our multiple premises.”

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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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