Page 15 - A Guide to Mobile

DFS Furniture Case Study
The Business
DFS Trading Ltd, founded in 1969 with a single store near Doncaster and has since grown to become the clear market leader of upholstered furniture in the UK. Today DFS employs more than 3,500 people and operates over 100 retail stores in the UK, the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands, a comprehensive online channel, and their own three upholstery factories in the UK.
The Challenge
For several years DFS had suffered from a poor mobile data connection at their head office at Doncaster, a combination of building construction and a struggling internal wi-fi connection left many mobile users unable to use mobile data and in certain sections of the building both voice and data was non-existent. The lack of reliable connectivity was leading to delayed response to important messages and calls and restricted users productivity to their desks.
The Solution
As the issues of connectivity become more crucial to the business, DFS tasked their mobile consultant JDNetworks to identify a solution. As the Head Office site comprised of 48,000 square feet and servicing many employees on site, this was not an easy fix. Working with O2, DFS’s mobile phone provider they arranged several site surveys where it was clear that the only robust and long-term solution would be the installation of a Micro-Cell site at head office. This site would use a fibre connection to connect directly into the o2 network and so guarantee a strong 3G coverage at site.
The micro-cell site installed at Head Office aided by strategically positioned remote nodes would ensure the 3G coverage benefitted all the site. Projected costs for such a solution were in the region of £40,000, JDNetworks managed to negotiate an upgrade to the DFS mobile phone contract with O2, reducing fixed rentals and including the cell site installation of a FOC basis.
The Benefits
All mobile phone users at DFS Head Office now receive a strong 3G data connection ensuring they can keep up to date date with emails, calls and messages wherever they are within the building allowing them to be more productive. All achieved whilst reducing costs.
Into 2020 and JDNetworks continue to support and supply the whole telecommunication estate for DFS furniture, this includes mobile phones and the hosted VoIP phone system across all sites.