McAlpine turned to Performance Networks to design and implement a robust and managed Wi-Fi solution capable of meeting their operational demands and ensuring consistent performance across all locations.
McAlpine, a leading name in the manufacturing industry, required a reliable Wi-Fi infrastructure to support their newly deployed warehouse management system (WMS) across their operations. The system was fully dependent on warehouse Wi-Fi connectivity to manage critical tasks like picking, packing, and inventory management in their warehouses. With operations spread across nine centres in Glasgow, McAlpine needed an upgraded, high-performance Wi-Fi solution to ensure reliable connectivity and support for their daily operations.
Challenge
The main challenge McAlpine faced was that their existing Wi-Fi infrastructure was outdated and unable to support the increasing demands of their new warehouse management system. Reliable connectivity was essential for smooth warehouse operations, as interruptions or weak signal areas could lead to inefficiencies in picking and packing, delays in order fulfilment, and potential disruptions in warehouse workflow.
Key challenges included:
- Ensuring consistent Wi-Fi coverage throughout large warehouse spaces.
- Providing reliable connectivity to support real-time operations of the warehouse management system.
- Implementing a managed solution would reduce downtime and be easy to monitor and support.
Solution
Performance Networks conducted a comprehensive network audit of McAlpine’s existing Wi-Fi infrastructure to identify gaps in coverage and performance. Using advanced tools like heat maps to visualise and optimise the network layout, we designed a tailored solution that provided seamless connectivity across all nine warehouse centres.
Key elements of the solution included:
- Full Wi-Fi Survey and Heat Mapping: We conducted a thorough survey of each warehouse, using heat maps to identify the best placement for access points to ensure complete coverage. This allowed us to optimise signal strength and eliminate any potential dead zones in the warehouses.
- Managed Wi-Fi Solution: We implemented a fully managed, supported Wi-Fi infrastructure that ensured McAlpine’s warehouse management system could operate without interruptions. The solution provided consistent, high-speed connectivity across all locations, supporting the real-time demands of their WMS, including picking, packing, and inventory management.
- Connectivity Across Multiple Centres: The new Wi-Fi network was deployed across nine centres in Glasgow, ensuring all warehouse operations had the connectivity they needed to function efficiently. The solution was designed to provide roaming, allowing warehouse staff to move freely while maintaining strong connections to the system.
- Ongoing Support and Managed Service: In addition to the Wi-Fi infrastructure, Performance Networks provide a fully managed support service. This included proactive monitoring and maintenance of the Wi-Fi network to ensure maximum uptime, and rapid response to any potential issues, reducing the burden on McAlpine’s internal IT team.
The Results
The new Wi-Fi infrastructure provided by Performance Networks has allowed McAlpine to fully support their warehouse management system, improving operational efficiency and ensuring uninterrupted workflows.
Conclusion
Performance Networks delivered a tailored Wi-Fi solution that perfectly matched McAlpine’s operational needs, providing connectivity for their warehouse management system across nine centres. Using heat maps for optimal access point placement and providing ongoing managed support ensures that McAlpine’s operations can continue without disruption, helping them maintain efficiency and productivity.
If your business requires a reliable and fully managed Wi-Fi solution to support critical operations, Performance Networks has the expertise to design, implement, and support a network infrastructure tailored to your needs.
