Revamping Connectivity & Efficiency for a Multi-Site Manufacturer in South West Dorset: A Tech Transformation Story

In the ever-evolving world of business technology, it’s crucial for companies to ensure that their infrastructure supports both current needs and future growth. This is exactly what our client, a thriving manufacturer with multiple sites in South West Dorset, realized when they found their existing setup to be outdated and inefficient. Operating across several buildings in a business park, their previous approach to network and communication was piecemeal, leaving much to be desired. With frequent connection drops, inefficient phone systems, and a lack of seamless integration across their sites, it was clear they needed a more cohesive solution to streamline operations and improve their overall productivity. So, we took on the challenge to upgrade their entire system, ensuring a modern, robust setup that would meet their business needs today and well into the future. Here’s how we did it.

The Problem: An Outdated Network and Communication Setup

Previously, the company relied on a Point-to-Point WiFi connection between multiple buildings on the same site. However, this setup had serious limitations. The main issue arose from the fact that high-sided vehicles, often moving between buildings on the site, were disrupting the WiFi signal, causing frequent drops in connectivity. This wasn’t just an inconvenience—it was hindering their business operations, especially when it came to fast, reliable internet access.

Furthermore, we discovered that their second site was operating a completely separate telephone system, which was creating significant communication challenges. Employees couldn’t transfer calls or dial between locations, leading to unnecessary delays and confusion in day-to-day operations. Clearly, the existing network and communication infrastructure was no longer fit for purpose.

Surveying the Sites: Understanding the Lay of the Land

Before diving into the design phase, we needed to understand the layout of the client’s sites and their future growth plans. We worked closely with the landlord to assess the available infrastructure and gather crucial details about the layout. We discovered that a duct was available to link the building housing the Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) circuit to one of the other buildings on the site. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case for the remaining buildings.

We also reached out to Openreach to explore the possibility of installing On-Demand Fibre to the Premises (FTTP). However, the construction costs associated with FTTP turned out to be over £100k, a price that was simply unaffordable for the client. It was time to get creative and design an alternative solution that wouldn’t break the bank but still met the needs of the business.

Designing and Implementing the Perfect Solution

Our approach was to create a custom-designed solution that would integrate the buildings into a single, cohesive network. To start, we proposed uplinking the main cluster of buildings using a new fibre-optic connection, ensuring fast and reliable connectivity throughout the site. In addition to this, we installed WiFi Access Points in key areas to ensure seamless wireless coverage across the entire site. This was particularly important, as the client had poor mobile phone signal on the premises, and reliable WiFi was essential for daily operations.

For the other buildings that couldn’t be directly linked via wired connection, we installed separate FTTC circuits to ensure they had their own dedicated internet connections. However, to create a unified user experience, we configured these sites to share the same Wireless Network Name (SSID) and password, allowing users to roam seamlessly between buildings without needing to reconnect. This also meant, as we were limited to FTTC Speeds (up to 80Mbps download, up to 20Mbps upload) this provided the other buildings with their own bandwidth too.

Additionally, to address the security concerns of one of the sites, we installed a single CCTV camera at the alternative location, ensuring that the client could remotely monitor the external premises. This added layer of security helped give the client peace of mind and ensured that they could keep an eye on the premises even when they were not on-site.

Streamlining Operations with Modern Workstations and Cloud Solutions

A major part of the client’s technology transformation was upgrading their workstation infrastructure. They had a mix of old desktops and laptops running outdated software, which was a barrier to productivity. We provided refurbished desktop computers and also upgraded their existing devices by installing Windows 11 Pro. This ensured that all users were operating on the same platform, making it easier to manage the network and provide consistent support across the board.

Moving away from an onsite Network-Attached Storage (NAS) solution, we transitioned the client to a more modern, cloud-based setup using SharePoint, Office 365, Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory), and Endpoint Manager/Intune. This shift allowed users to work from anywhere, provided a solid backup regime, and ensured better document control across the business. The new cloud infrastructure also included Microsoft Defender for Cybersecurity, giving the client robust protection against potential online threats. With the new cloud-based system, the client no longer had to worry about managing physical servers or on-premise data storage. The solution was fully scalable, allowing them to easily onboard new users and devices using Autopilot. This not only saved time but also reduced costs, as there was no need for manual device setup on-site.

A Seamless Phone System Upgrade

One of the most crucial upgrades was replacing the client’s outdated phone system. The previous system had major limitations, including the inability to connect different sites and share phone extensions. We replaced this with our state-of-the-art Business Telephone System, which eliminated the need for on-premise equipment while also integrating the different sites into a single, unified communication platform. Now, employees could dial between sites as if they were all in the same building (and externally too using the Webex Mobile/Desktop Apps), streamlining internal communication and improving overall efficiency. The new phone system also included features like call forwarding, voicemail-to-email, and seamless integration with other business tools, making it much easier for the team to stay connected.

A Smooth Transition with Minimal Downtime

We understand that business downtime can be costly, so we were committed to ensuring that the transition to the new system was as smooth as possible. We planned the entire implementation over a single weekend to minimize disruption to the client’s operations. Our team was on-site for the first day users’ used the new setup to assist with any issues and provide hands-on support as users adjusted to the new systems.

The result? A seamless transition that allowed the client to hit the ground running on Monday morning with a fully upgraded network and communication system.

Conclusion: A Modern, Future-Ready Solution

The outcome of our work was a success by every measure. The client now has a modern, cohesive IT and communications setup that is reliable, secure, and scalable for future growth. From the upgraded fibre-optic network and WiFi coverage to the transition to cloud-based solutions and a unified phone system, every aspect of their business operations has been optimized for the future. What’s more, we achieved all of this without breaking the bank. Our solution struck the perfect balance between cost-effectiveness and functionality, delivering exactly what the client needed without unnecessary extras. We’re excited to continue supporting the client as their business grows and look forward to helping them with future technology upgrades.

Key Takeaways:

• A custom-designed network solution with fibre-optic uplinks and seamless WiFi coverage.
• Transition to cloud-based systems, improving document control, remote work capabilities, and cybersecurity.
• A state-of-the-art, unified phone system to streamline communication across sites.
• A smooth transition with minimal downtime, allowing the client to quickly adapt to their new setup.

At the end of the day, it’s all about giving businesses the right tools to thrive. By modernizing their network and communication systems, we’ve set this client up for long-term success. And the best part? They’re already seeing the benefits in terms of improved productivity, collaboration, and security.