Azzuri launches, McColl adopts
One day after Azzuri launched its Azzurri Communications, it has launched Instant Retailer, an innovative new service that uses the 3G mobile network to deliver on-demand voice, data, fax and Internet connectivity wherever and whenever it is required. And Martin McColl Ltd, claimed as the largest chain of convenience and newsagent stores in the UK, has entered into a 5-year fully managed service agreement with East Kilbride based Azzurri and will adopt Azzurrii Retail Application Network (RAN) across its 1300 stores including 160 stores throughout Scotland.
The £4m contract will see the company radically modernise its IT infrastructure with a fully managed service designed to reduce costs, consolidate existing and new applications and improve customer services across the organisation.
Neil Hodge, GM, IT at Martin McColl said: “We struggled to unify our services and keep up with new technology and needed to modernise our systems to help us to keep pace with the constantly changing demands of our customers. We looked to integrate all our applications and services onto one single platform to support our increasing consumer services. Azzurri’s dedicated RAN service was designed to do exactly that”
Rolling out a new EPOS platform to all its stores to automate its services, Azzurri’s RAN will support all Martin McColl’s critical applications including sales and stock management, integrated IPCCTV, multimedia and web based applications for training, reporting, store communications and time management.
Hodge continues: “Across our convenience, newsagent and post office facilities, we are constantly striving to improve consumer services in the community, and it’s critical our technology acts as an enabler not an inhibitor. With Azzurri’s RAN model we aren’t tied to one single carrier or technology, meaning the network can flex and change with our business needs. The RAN ensures we can keep pace with technological advancements by constantly adapting our technology to our customer needs throughout the life of the contract.”
The RAN is designed and tuned to cost efficiently deliver managed transaction services and critical operational applications for high street/multiple operators. Once in place, the RAN will increase the speed of network processing, reduce the cost per transaction and other ongoing operational expense. Real-time information available improves stock management, which will help increase customer satisfaction. This will enable the business to improve customer service and look to add further value through its technology.
The roll-out is due to be completed in April 2009. Azzurri is radically reducing the cost of deployment through its zero-touch implementation strategy. As the new EPOS system is implemented across the Martin McColl’s portfolio, each store can simultaneously plug in a router, previously configured by Azzurri, which will automatically download the specification for that individual store.
This automated process allows Martin McColl to install the routers as part of a single EPOS installation visit, removing time-consuming and costly requirement for dedicated engineers to be present at each of Martin McColl’s stores during implementation.
Source: http://azzurricommunications.com/
Web: http://www.martinmccoll.co.uk/