Benetton has upgraded to a virtual private network (VPN) to reduce the cost of phone bills and maintaining till systems across its chain.
Previously, stores had communicated with head office and the outside world through ISDN, which dials up on a pay-as-you-go basis.
However, demand for online services, such as reporting sales and credit card information, meant that costs spiralled.
A VPN is always on. It uses asynchronous digital subscriber line (ADSL) broadband lines, which are shared with other businesses, but with guaranteed bandwidth and security to keep costs down. Benetton's network is provided and managed by Activator UK.
The VPN has allowed the retailer to invest in technology that uses greater bandwidth, such as a human resources application from Kronos that logs all staff hours, and an outsourced e-mail service.
It also means external IT contractors such as Retail IT, can upgrade, maintain and fix faults remotely.
'It has reduced our telephone bills considerably,' said Benetton IT manager Mike Wainwright. 'It also saves time and money if I connect from my desk to access faults.'
Activator UK joint managing director Chris Hyde claimed the network was installed without engineers stepping onto Benetton's premises.
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