Lakeland Leather finds perfect comms fit
By Retail Technology | Wednesday March 19 2014
Specialist coat and accessories retailer updates IT and communications infrastructure between its stores, warehouse and head office with new managed network service
Lakeland Leather, a specialist retailer of leather, suede and sheepskin coats and accessories, is upgrading to a managed multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) network from retail communications provider Vodat International.
As part of the upgrade, Vodat is also supplying Lakeland Leather with a cloud based Wi-Fi solution across stores and the warehouse. The new Wi-Fi service will improve services instore including better stock availability, network connectivity, provide free customer Wi-Fi access and allow the introduction of a number of new digital promotions.
The new managed services ensure Lakeland Leather has a robust communications network and consistent visibility of transactions and data from all 22 stores. The new sophisticated Wi-Fi network will allow customers to view stock held across all stores, as well as allowing customers to log on to the network instore for online browsing and access to future promotions.
Introducing iPad into stores
Randy Orrison, IT manager at Lakeland Leather, stated: “Our store network was previously managed in-house by the IT team and the maintenance absorbed a lot of valuable time. By switching to a fully managed network, Vodat will take away the headache of managing the network in-house.”
He also said the retailer was already thinking of building on its new wireless networking capability. “We are also looking to introduce iPads into each store to allow shop floor staff to check stock levels and price wherever they are in the store. This will create a more personal shopping experience for our customers,” added Orrison.
Lakeland Leather started trading in 1960s, with its first shop located in Ambleside in the Lake District. The new network is reportedly scheduled to go live soon.