Following the acquisition of 116 petrol forecourt sites from the Co-op in 2022, the supermarket giant faced the challenge of delivering a seamless user experience at the new locations.
Asda required state-of-the-art technology and dependable managed connectivity services to ensure these sites operated smoothly. The Wigan-based provider of managed network solutions and IT services stepped in to provide the essential infrastructure, allowing consumers to access a range of products and services conveniently and reliably.
Alan Stephenson-Brown, the CEO, emphasised the competitive nature of the fuel forecourt sector, where connectivity is paramount. He stated, ‘The fuel forecourt sector is highly competitive, where connectivity is key to success. Asda selected us as its connectivity partner thanks to our two decades of extensive experience and expertise in the forecourt sector, and I’m incredibly proud of the service we delivered.’
A key challenge was that each site required connectivity within tight time constraints. The engineering and development teams tailored the connectivity solution to meet the deadlines, delivering the solution ahead of schedule. Fully managed network solutions, including SD-WAN, connectivity, and guest Wi-Fi, as well as third-party services such as POS vendors and fuel tank polling, were provided to ensure efficient operations and a seamless customer experience.
Ashley Cowley, Asda’s technology senior manager for Express Stores, highlighted the challenge of setting up these sites with minimal downtime. She noted, ‘We approached this project knowing it was a big ask to get everything up and running with limited downtime. The team got around this by setting the sites up to run on 4G/5G to ensure they remained operational. Temporary communications for installations were also used initially, and overnight installations were carried out to minimise disruption.’
The project was managed from start to finish, resulting in a new tech stack designed to optimise point-of-sale and other connectivity-dependent elements. Cowley added, ‘The solution will enable us to operate more efficiently while streamlining operations and reducing downtime in future.’
Investing in fully managed network solutions allows the forecourt sites to collect valuable data and analytics for more informed decision-making, tailoring offerings accordingly. The provider specialises in network solutions for forecourts, optimising supply chain management, logistics, and store operations, leading to improved profitability and customer satisfaction.
By addressing the technological demands of Asda’s newly acquired forecourt sites, the managed network solutions provider has played a crucial role in enhancing operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.