In the ever-evolving realm of retail, technological innovations have ushered in a new era. Yet as technology advancements continue to revolutionize the industry, the reliance on network infrastructure has grown exponentially. From Internet of Things (IoT) devices that enhance in-store experiences to the critical point-of-sale (POS) stations that facilitate transactions, stable and secure network connectivity is now the backbone of successful retail operations. While these innovations have revolutionized the shopping experience, they have also exposed retailers to an ever-present challenge—network downtime.
Today, everything from transaction processing to in-store security and digital signage hinges on the stability and security of network connectivity. The implications of a disrupted network are far-reaching. Retailers stand to lose not only revenue opportunities but also incur hefty recovery fees in the aftermath. As we’ve written about before, A simple hour of network downtime can cost large retailers a staggering $5 million.
The fallout from network disruptions extends beyond the financial realm. Productivity takes a hit, customer relationships strain, and valuable data often ends up incomplete or corrupted. In such a high-stakes environment, it’s imperative for businesses to adopt proactive strategies to bolster network resilience. Out of Band management and Failover to Cellular are two such indispensable approaches, helping retailers combat the challenges posed by the last mile problem. This is where Opengear steps in; let’s explore two real-world case studies that illustrate the transformative power of Opengear’s Network Resilience Platform.
Furniture Retailer: Protecting Business Continuity Across the Nation
Picture a large US-based furniture business, expanding its reach to encompass multiple store locations, delivery centers, and data centers across the nation. In a retail world that never sleeps, network reliability is non-negotiable. Any downtime could mean lost revenue, tarnished brand reputation, and unsatisfied customers.
The company was growing its retail operation across a few dozen store locations, serviced by several delivery warehouses and data centers. To help streamline and accelerate the setup of new locations, the retailer embarked on a dynamic multipoint virtual private network (DMVPN) rollout. This required transitioning all locations to MPLS primary connectivity and a commodity internet. The project also called for a cellular backup solution with emergency failover functionality.
Opengear’s Network Resilience Platform emerged as the ideal solution, offering reliable, secure cellular Out of Band management.
The result? A network resilience solution that provides a set-it-and-forget-it solution, delivering peace of mind that network connectivity will remain available, even during a disruption. The organization relies on the Out of Band capability to ensure remote connectivity, perform site setup activities, and successfully put systems in place prior to MPLS circuit delivery. On top of that, Opengear’s support team offers timely responses and actionable best practices. As a result, the retailer experienced significantly reduced network downtime, leading to increased network reliability and uninterrupted business operations.
Luxury Goods Retailer: Streamlining Data Center Management Across Continents
Now, let’s shift our attention to a multinational market leader in luxury goods, one boasting over 50 businesses, 75 prestigious brands, and 5500 stores spread across the globe. This retailer operates more than ten data centers, each processing millions of records daily. With data centers located thousands of miles from the company’s headquarters, the central IT team faced a complex problem.
Managing specialized devices like switches or firewalls in these far-flung data centers was a challenge. When disruptions occurred, the team had to rely on local technicians to diagnose and resolve the issues, a time-consuming and costly process. Opengear’s Network Resilience Platform once again emerged as the ultimate solution.
By deploying the Network Resilience Platform, the Central IT team can now access and manage their data centers remotely in more than 10 locations from their headquarters with Smart Out of Band. With Opengear, they streamlined the deployment of pre-configured console managers, making remote configuration and deployment a seamless process. The results were astounding, offering both enhanced access to data centers and substantial cost savings.
Remotely managing data centers through central management software allows on-demand response to issues, troubleshooting control, and offers peace of mind for the company’s central IT team.
Empowering Retail Network Resilience
These two case studies showcase the transformative power of Opengear’s Network Resilience Platform in the retail sector. With solutions that guarantee uninterrupted connectivity and simplify remote management, Opengear empowers retailers to conquer the complexities of the dynamic retail landscape. It’s a partnership that ensures network resilience and business continuity, even in the face of adversity.
Contact Opengear today to strengthen your network resilience.
