VoicePlus was primarily responsible for solution design, router staging, deployment design and management, and production of training manuals.
The core challenges faced were:
Each store was connecting to SFG's WAN network using an ADSL tail. Link quality and reliability were low and speeds could not be effectively forecasted.
To disconnect ADSL lines and move the entire store infrastructure to Jasper-based connectivity.
The Netcomm 4G LTE router is a MPLS tail over a Wireless WAN link. A simple 8-port unmanaged switch connects to the router and provides the port capacity needed for Point of Sale (PoS) machines as well as thin Wireless Access Points (WAP).
Automatic WAN access provisioning and routing is now being easily managed through the Jasper platform and the Self-Service Telstra Managed RADIUS (TMR-Advanced) platform. This allows SFG to rollout and de-commission stores with virtually no lead time.
SFG utilises iPad's as a productivity enhancement tool in the stores. iPad's in the store were previously utilising active data SIM's and there was no easy way to enforce the iPad's to only use the Wireless LAN network. Through the use of Jasper SIMs pre-set in a deactivated state, SFG is able to easily manage mobile data usage on the iPad's and instantly activate the iPad SIM in a Disaster Recovery scenario.
VoicePlus has also created and is managing a brand-new hierarchy on SFG's TMDM (Telstra Mobile Device Management) platform. This has provided the ability to manage and deploy applications and settings on the mobile devices in a much more granular manner than ever before.
VoicePlus supplied SFG with pre-staged Netcomm 4G LTE routers, SIM cards and Jasper pre-configured. Staging of the routers is performed through an automated script, developed in-house by VoicePlus, which greatly reduces the probability of human error and misconfiguration. It also reduced staging time from 24 minutes per device to just over 4 minutes per device.
Each SFG Regional Manager was provided with an in-depth roll-out guide, specifically written by VoicePlus. SFG and VoicePlus then collaborated on a customised testing protocol to ensure each upgraded store had been upgraded and was operating correctly.
"This is one of the biggest Netcomm M2M retail deployments ever. I am impressed by how VoicePlus is managing it."
Andrew Kerr, Wireless M2M BDM