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Stokers case study

Aim

To facilitate faster communications with its stores and suppliers, Stokers replaced its ISDN-based network with the latest ADSL technology from Nildram

"With ADSL, we were able to access store information in real time, at any time during the day," Mark says. "It was like having our stores connected on a Local Area Network (LAN) - even down to taking over a specific terminal remotely for training purposes."

Background info:

Stockers furniture picture

It's good to be in control. For many businesses, however, control is something that is inevitably diffused or outsourced to external suppliers. For those able to retain their autocracy, the rewards include a distinct corporate philosophy that will safeguard the founding principles of their company.

One company with an enviable record of retaining control over all aspects of its operations is Stokers Ltd, a family run retailer of fine furniture and carpets. Founded by Alfred Stoker in 1899, Stokers quickly became a key outlet in Lancashire and the northwest, and now employs around 200 staff at 10 stores.

Transferring Data:

Today, the business is in the capable hands of the fourth generation of Stokers and retains a hands-on approach that extends far beyond mucking-in during stock takes. In 2000, for instance, the company replaced its outdated paper-based practices with Point of Sales (POS) systems connected to a central database that logged all in-store transactions. Developed entirely in house, the terminals and stores were originally connected via ISDN, although this proved costly and time consuming, as the firm's IT consultant, Dr Mark Stoker, explains.

"Transferring data was a fairly slow process using ISDN," he explains, "Since we downloaded software updates to the systems, which remained operational all the time, the rental of the equipment and the call charges were substantial."

ADSL Technology:

In 2002, the company rolled out a Wide Area Network (WAN) based on ADSL technology supplied by Nildram, one of the UK's fastest growing providers of specialised global telecommunications services. The initiative connected all of the company's retail outlets with its headquarters in Ormskirk, Lancashire, where the company managed its own software and routers. The move had an immediate impact.

Wires-Only Service from Nildram:

Stockers picture

The wires-only service from Nildram permits Stokers to collect sales data from its POS terminals and provide its sales staff with up-to-theminute product information. With data transfer rates of up to 2Mbits, the retailer's broadband communication links also enable it to deliver and receive data to and from suppliers outside the network. "For example, all our advertisements are done in-house," Mark explains. "We used to send them directly to the newspapers through the ISDN. Now, with ADSL, we can send them a lot quicker and we don't have the added expense of an extended call."

In addition to ADSL connectivity, Nildram also provides Stokers with an e-mail virus scanning service, e-mailScanPro, that filters all inbound e-mails before they reach the company's internal machines. In addition, it employs virus scanners and warning procedures, and checks for anti-virus updates every 10 minutes.

Technical Support:

With each store containing around 20 terminals connected via ADSL to dedicated warehouse systems that coordinate deliveries, the amount of information collated by the company is often considerable. This often includes suppliers' invoices, general accounting information and transaction data delivered at various times during the day.

We need to be able to communicate with the stores seven days a week, at the weekends and on bank holidays as these are our busiest times. So the technical support we receive from Nildram has to be very good.

Nildram's dedicated team of engineers has unrivalled technical knowledge and access to the most up-to-date communications technology available. Mark has nothing but praise for the support Stokers has received. "Nildram gets an account up and running very quickly. They're very efficient and technically very knowledgeable. What's more, we have technical support 24 hours a day. We're extremely pleased with the service."

Nildram also provides Stokers with hosting services and web space. These services fit well with the autonomous approach adopted by the family run business. "Once the lines were set-up, we had very little to do with them," Mark says. "The system runs efficiently without our intervention, which works for us."