|
Monday, 23 February 2009 14:00 |
|
Total Fitness is one of the UK's leading health and fitness operators.This is how Solution1 helped to expand its membership database by using network technology
Total Fitness needed to make sure that all of its health and fitness clubs were connected to the same network so that they are able share data such as customer membership and payment details as well as having card readers that allow the members to gain access to the clubs. Each member is given a card on joining that they swipe at the gate which is linked to the network and opens once the member’s data has been checked validated by the software. This allows them access into each club whenever they want.
Total Fitness had a network that was built for it by its previous provider that linked all its sites to its head office in Wilmslow through a series of leased lines. However, after a short period of time, it was clear that this was not a viable solution that was going to support the growth of the business as the demand on the network increased and it needed to connect additional locations. The network was only coping adequately with the amount of traffic running over it and the speed was satisfactory, however it meant that members had to wait for up to one minute at the gate before being allowed into the club. Total Fitness needed a solution that reduced the queuing time and allowed all their members to enter the clubs as quickly as possible.
In addition, the leased line option was proving to be very expensive, as Total Fitness was paying per kilometre from its headquarters to each site. It also took up lots of space as all the infrastructure was based on site at the head office in Wilmslow. The IT team found that it spent too much time troubleshooting and managing the day to day activity of the network instead of doing the job that the team was hired to do.
Total Fitness realised that the network needed to be reviewed and updated in order to be able to meet its specific challenges of ensuring that all members were able to enter their centre quickly and easily. In addition, the solution had to be cost effective and scaleable for the addition of new centres. The Solution
Total Fitness found what they were looking for in the form of Solution1’s service network and managed service offerings. The company realised that Solution1 was able to look at the issues that Total Fitness was facing and deliver a tailored solution that would be able to fully support the company both now and in the future.
Solution1 worked closely with the IT team at Total Fitness to identify both its business and IT needs and then establish a bespoke and cost-effective solution that would not only meet its demands, but also provide the team with an infrastructure that would help them further grow the business.
Solution1 took over the management of the communications infrastructure and responsibility for configuration and solving of any issues. Solution1 set up a managed VPN for Total Fitness that enabled connection between all its sites and the head office. The network carries a 10 Mb speed therefore minimising the time taken to gain access. In addition, the service is hosted by Solution1 and not at Total Fitness’ head office freeing up spare and cost of housing all the technology.
Solution1 also installed a Broadband ADSL line for all the sites. This allowed the removal of the current ADSL infrastructure and put browsing though Solution 1. This enabled Total Fitness to offer free internet access to all their customers at each club as well as reduce costs. Results
Total Fitness found that Solution1 was able to provide them with a cost-effective hosted solution that met its challenges of linking up the various clubs and allowing quick access to members. The results of bringing Solution1 included:
• Lines were much quicker and members were able to access the clubs within seconds of swiping their cards
• Running costs was reduced by approximately £180 per month at each club
• Time saved by the IT team managing the network
• Capacity is increased within the network allowing the scalability to easily add more sites
“Solution1 has taken over the management of our network enabling us to provide a better service to our members in the way of faster access times and internet access in the clubs, as well as help our staff collaborate on documents and share information on members” says Dean Rooney, IT Manager, Total Fitness. “Solution1 has provided us with an excellent service with a quick and easy migration and fantastic customer service whilst being very cost-effective. I am very impressed with what the company offers, such that I investigating Solution1’s VoIP and MPLS solutions with a view to implementing them in the future.
|
