Caffyns

Caffyns improves communications with Impetus and NetServices

The Challenge

Established in 1904, Caffyns is a car dealership with over 29 branches nationwide. It is committed to providing a high quality service to customers and manufacturers alike. Caffyns approached NetServices and Impetus Business Solutions as they required a common communications infrastructure to tie all branches together. A car dealership is a complex business, combining new and used sales with servicing, repairs, parts sales and finance. It requires links to many trading partners, particularly manufacturers.

Few dealerships are actually owned by manufacturers, however they place strong demands and influences on franchisee's to have automated procedures in place for ordering vehicles and parts, processing warranty claims or providing technical information. Traditionally Caffyns had separate communications systems in each branch, with no common tie. Applications were hosted a various sites and connections were slow and unreliable and therefore costly to the business.

Caffyns needed a reliable network that would adhere to manufacturer's standards. It also needed to be easily adaptable during a new business acquisition situation or re-franchising opportunity.

The Solution

Caffyns already had a long-standing relationship with Impetus, and turned to the company for advice. Following detailed discussions, Caffyns teamed up with Impetus and leading network provider NetServices for the provision of a wide area network (WAN).

Eliminating the single point of failure application servers are now hosted in the NetServices data centre, also eliminating the need for costly firewall and hardware services.

Impetus worked closely with Caffyns to understand what its core requirements were, and with NetServices designed and implemented a bespoke infrastructure underpinning these business needs.

The Benefits

Through the consolidation of the network, Caffyns now has a centrally accessed main phone and email system linking all 29 sites nationwide. Previously disparate systems are now easily managed and manufacturer communication has also been improved.

The relationship between Caffyns and Impetus continues and this provides Caffyns with the opportunity to further improve its communications set up by taking advantage of NetServices fully converged voice and data offering.

CHALLENGES

Disparate and separate communications infrastructure for each site
Requirement to meet stringent manufacturer standards
Adapting the network as the business changed

SOLUTION

Single network with applications hosted centrally to ensure availability and eliminate the need for a firewall at each site

RESULTS

Centrally accessed system at all sites nationwide
Improved disaster recovery plan
Centrally managed eliminating need for skilled personnel at each site