Case Study
Worldlink Helps Agriculture Supply Retailer Standardize IT Solutions in 125 Retail Stores
Highlights
Upgraded 125 stores over two years
Installed over 3000 access points
Improved bandwidth and connectivity
Installed new IDFs, fiber and copper structured cabling (over 4000 cables to support the APs and other network devices)
Established additional access points to enable outside sales capabilities
We recently completed a re-cabling/WiFi upgrade project with our partner, Worldlink Integration. The project allowed us to improve performance, functionality and versatility in stores ranging from 50K to 80K square feet. As a result, our staff now performs inventory more efficiently and we have more consistency in our network, chain-wide. In addition, we’ve increased sales by adding a temp POS station to our garden center.
Worldlink proved to be a tremendous partner, working with us through various changes and interruptions to a successful project completion.
— Sr. Network Architect
The Client
This general merchandise retailer provides a broad range of farm and home products. They’ve been in business for over 50 years and have 125 stores in multiple states. Their stores offer a wide-ranging product mix, from livestock feed, farm equipment and agricultural parts to clothing and housewares.
They take pride in their friendly staff, who help customers navigate their stores while providing outstanding service and product knowledge. They also see themselves as a destination for their customers and families, and make them feel right at home with their complimentary coffee and fresh popcorn they pop right in their stores.
Ongoing Services With Worldlink Include:
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New store build-outs
Installing network infrastructure and cabling, setting up and testing IT and security equipment before store openings -
Service work
Break/fix and IT help desk support -
IT deployment projects
Short-term help as needed (e.g., DC and HQ building infrastructure)
The Challenge
The client had been handling their IT needs with their own staff. They did not have a strong partner or any national provider to manage their retail stores’ IT needs. In addition to their own staff they relied on various local IT companies for help, creating inconsistent, unreliable results and connectivity problems.
They were in need of a scalable, uniform approach to meeting their IT initiatives.
A technician in Worldlink’s network referred Worldlink to the client. After performing detailed site surveys, Worldlink offered the client the IT experience they needed and documentation that provided them with a detailed support structure.
The Solution
While high quality at a fair price was paramount, Worldlink’s willingness to engage, understand and provide out-of-the-box solutions helped define the project’s successful outcome.
The client’s IT infrastructure upgrades required Worldlink to visit each of their 125 stores over two years. Worldlink used a core group of teams throughout the project’s life cycle, allowing for increased uniformity in approach and execution. Each store typically required a one-week engagement, with two sites handled each week.
SITE SURVEY CREATION
To grasp the project scope, Worldlink created and completed detailed site surveys. These surveys were necessary to assess expected needs for each location, minimizing any impact during project work at each store.
IDF INSTALLATION & CABLE MANAGEMENT
Worldlink discovered that all cabling throughout the stores originated at the main distribution frame (MDF), resulting in many cables being outside of their desired network standards. Worldlink installed and tested new IDFs (intermediate distribution frames) and replaced cabling as necessary to achieve their desired standards and improve network bandwidth.
ACCESS POINT INSTALLATION
To upgrade the existing wireless network infrastructure, 25-30 access points were added throughout each store and connected via new cabling to the applicable MDF and IDF. One of those access points was specifically installed to support their garden center, where Worldlink implemented mobile point-of-sale (POS) terminals, kiosks, and cash wraps. This allowed store personnel to quickly and efficiently process customers without having to go inside the store.
The Results
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Connectivity and cable management improved.
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Utilizing mobile POS to serve outdoor customers makes it easier for customers to check out. This has resulted in increased store sales -- up to a 30% increase in Garden Center sales in some locations.
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Inventory used to take one week; now it takes two to three days.
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The client’s internal IT staff can now focus on their tasks, knowing that Worldlink’s service (when needed) is up to their standards.
Future-Proof Your Business With Worldlink
Worldlink Integration is a national provider of technology deployment services with specific industry expertise in the retail, restaurant and grocery sectors. We have the people, technical partners and processes to bring you the best solutions in the industry, whether you’re looking for a straightforward tech implementation or a complete overhaul of your infrastructure.
Learn how Worldlink can support your next technology deployment project.