Press releases
GAME to deploy Tiscali IP-VPN Retail Solution across 330+ stores
28/03/2003
London, 28 March 2003 - Tiscali Business Services UK, a subsidiary of Tiscali, the Internet communications company, today announces it will supply a broadband enabled IP-VPN (Internet Protocol Virtual Private Network) solution to GAME, Europe’s largest specialist retailer of computer software and video games. The contract was awarded to Tiscali in partnership with systems integrator and channel partner Prime Business Solutions. The contract win marks the launch of Tiscali's IP-VPN retail solution, branded Centris Retail.
The new IP network will connect the company's headquarters, data centre and GAME's more than 330 retail sites across the UK. It will enable the retailer to more effectively share resources and information as well as improve security and resilience in running mission critical retail data. Previously, GAME relied on an ISDN backbone, which was limiting bandwidth capacity and hindering the reliability of crucial retail applications.
The transition to Tiscali Centris Retail will provide GAME with a more cost effective and future proof solution, including potential migration towards more feature rich applications such as converged voice and data services, real time applications and managed services. The flexible solution also allows GAME to add and remove retail sites from the network with ease.
Antony Harris, IT Director at GAME says: "Tiscali's IP-VPN solution offers us a real competitive advantage in the UK and will help us reduce our data costs as well as improve the quality of service that we can offer our own customers."
"Tiscali’s solution will enable us to be more reactive on stock allocation and reduce turn around time between receiving stock level information from our stores, to stores receiving a stock delivery. It will also improve communication internally between our stores, Head Office and our warehouse, and finally it will improve our GAME Reward Card loyalty scheme programme both now and in the future. The network will grow as we grow and will be able to support all our future data needs into the foreseeable future," he continued.
Centris Retail is tailored for the UK and European retail industry and offers a bespoke end to end data solution underpinned by service level agreements (SLA's), for all retail IT network needs. IT Analyst house IDC estimates that 34% of UK retailers will implement network based VPNs by Q4 2003 and that the retail sector will show the most demand of all business sectors for broadband services.
Stephane Huet, COO Tiscali Business Services UK: "The UK retail market has until now been slow to recognise the benefits of broadband services. Tiscali has developed Centris Retail to offer companies, like GAME, a reliable and future proof solution to the high demands that a retail business puts upon its networking infrastructure."
Centris Retail is designed to offer retailers a broadband connection for all retail voice and data needs. It comprises a suite of data solutions under the one brand. Centris Retail also offers a range of hosted services, which can be built into any bespoke solution including real time disaster recovery, e-payment transactions and security programmes.
The SLA guarantees are made possible by Tiscali's wholly owned pan European IP network which allows it the flexibility to offer customers and partners a complete end to end solution. The MPLS enabled IP network ensures that all mission critical data is delivered with priority and within the specified time frame.
The Centris Retail suite of products include:
1. Centris Intranet - Enables all retail sites to use the massive cost and networking benefits of broadband technologies to seamless integrate with all other sites just as efficiently as if you were working from your HQ
2. Centris Extranet - Uses the same single investment as the company’s intranet to securely and reliably integrate partners such as banking organisations for EPOS validation, suppliers and customers into the most flexible corporate solution
3. Centris Internet - Securely eliminates the need for all Internet access to travel through the company Head Office, drastically reducing the cost of corporate fixed data lines and enforcing a single corporate security policy, systematically securing the company from outside attack.
4. Centris Complete - Brings together all the real cost benefits of using broadband access for - retail sites into a single seamless corporate network and using the same link for value added services such as hosted services and streaming advertising direct to outlets
About Tiscali UK Business Services
Tiscali UK forms part of Tiscali SpA., headquartered in Cagliari, Italy. The UK company was launched in July, 2001 following the acquisitions of Liberty Surf, World Online and LineOne. Most recently, Tiscali UK acquired Tiny and Gateway ISP. Tiscali UK is positioned within the UK market as the 4th largest ISP.
Tiscali S.p.A., (Nuovo Mercato, Milan: TIS, Nouveau Marché, Paris: 005773), is the European Internet Company providing access, content and business applications, as well as innovative communications services. As at 31 December 2002, Tiscali had 7.3 million active users and 13.7 million monthly unique visitors to the Tiscali portals, confirming the company as one of the leading web properties in Europe (source:Nielsen NetRatings). Tiscali's corporate website can be found at www.tiscali.com.
Tiscali UK Business Services, a leader in ADSL wholesale, has a focused product portfolio enabling customers to choose from IP Virtual Private Network and Managed Hosting solutions, ADSL and Leased line access, Streaming Media, Virtual Internet Service Provision and Telephony services.
Visit the Tiscali UK Business Services website: www.tiscali-business.co.uk.
Prime Business solutions
Prime Business Solutions represents the new breed of Systems Integrator (SI) and within six years has become Europe's fastest growing SI, delivering convergence based technologies through voice, video and data networking solutions.
Prime specialises in convergence solutions that not only encompass voice, video and data, but also the information and applications enterprises rely on to create and sustain competitive advantage.
Prime helps reduce the cost of owning and operating complex network infrastructures by providing high-level consultancy advice, design, installation and support services to FTSE 1000 Enterprises.
Prime have won numerous industry and manufacturer awards recognising their expertise and leadership in the convergence marketplace. The company recently used its expertise in wireless and convergence solutions to relocate to a grade one listed mansion, Benham Valence, one of England's grandest stately homes.
A Cisco Gold partner, Prime was awarded the status of Cisco Reseller of the Year for 2000 and 2001 consecutively. In 2001 Prime were bestowed with the ultimate Cisco accolade and won the EMEA Reseller of The Year ahead of 28,000 other resellers.
