POS Networks have worked with Morrisons from the very first Store Picking Hub (internet order fulfilment) installation in 2016. We install the desk top PC’s & configure the new LAN printers, as well as ensuring HHT cabinet, telephony devices and RF data devices are patched correctly. An additional LAN switch is installed as part of the project requirements and we prepare the data cabinet to enable Morrisons outsourced managed network provider to do this piece of work.
At the start of 2020 no one knew how the year would unfold like it did. The way everyone approached work, leisure and shopping had to adapt very quickly and retail has very likely seen a permanent shift in how customers engage with sellers across all sectors, but none more so than supermarkets where the growth in demand for Home Delivery was astonishing. With many customers not wanting to leave their homes and trying to social distance themselves as much as possible, online shopping for food and essential items was the preferred option for many.
When the first lock down was announced in March 2020, POS Networks were tasked with installing data cabling infrastructure and the deployment of desk top hardware to circa 300 stores for Store Pick (Home Delivery) plus the repurposing of hardware in a further 85 stores for Click & Collect operations.
To ensure the project team met go-live dates, POS Networks had to hit the ground running. Through reviewing existing store plans, close liaising with store management and working with other suppliers on LAN/WAN capacity, RF coverage and hardware supply, POS Networks were able to pre-plan installations in to agreed locations before deploying multiple teams of engineers to install network cabling, and where needed additional data cabinets with fibre links back to primary data cabinets, then following up with engineers of a different skill set for the installation of a PC, printers and LAN connectivity of additional hardware. For each cabling installation and hardware deployment a photographic report was produced. The report for the cabling showed where the cabling was installed along with test results, and the hardware report showed the devices installed, configured and ready for operation.
By being flexible and nimble to react to business changes or demands from stores, POS Networks were able to respond to the requests made on the project team; whether it was changes to the schedule regarding which stores received the solution, where in store the installation needed to be or dates that needed to be brought forward. Delivered in 4 phases over 9 months, there were numerous challenges that had to be dealt with along the way, yet all phases were delivered and completed on time and became operationally live on the Business’s specified dates.
The follow up to this rapid deployment has been the rollout of permanent installations in to dedicated Store Pick hubs (internal with in a store) and Pods (additional purpose built spaces). By working with Main Contractors and the incumbent electricians, we have seamlessly migrated IT operations from temporary working spaces to their new permanent home.