Managed WAN
Always-on, Reliable Wireless WAN for Gentoo Sunderland
Background
Gentoo Sunderland is the Housing Association of the Gentoo Group; responsible for delivering core housing management services and maintenance to approximately 70,000 customers in 30,000 homes.
Customer service and business improvement is high on Gentoo’s agenda, with over 4,000 customers actively involved. Employing over 650 staff across the City, Gentoo Sunderland provides a wide range of services for customers, from tackling anti-social behaviour to carrying out repairs and maintenance.
Business Challenge
Gentoo required an intelligent network to provide IP connectivity to a number of buildings within the Sunderland area. Gentoo needed the network to converge traditional data, CCTV imagery and emergency ‘panic button’ traffic, whilst ensuring that connectivity between the multiple Gentoo sites and its central monitoring station was both secure and reliable.
It became clear from the very outset of the planning phase that given the importance of the networks requirements, an always-on, reliable network was paramount not only to the project’s success but to successful future business performance of Gentoo.
Insightful Solution
Following the extensive planning process which included detailed radio planning, in-depth path profiling and on-site live link staging, Boston Networks Ltd designed and installed a bespoke wireless network supported by their pro-active Network Operations Centre.
Boston Networks Ltd utilised a series of high rise flats and strategic base stations to install a telecoms grade wireless network delivering high speed connectivity throughout the city.
The intelligent network takes advantage of both high capacity point to point technology to provide backhaul connectivity between key locations and base stations and de-regulated point to multi point technology for the smaller access layer locations.
Benefits
The cost of connecting the multiple Gentoo sites together using traditional leased line technology was hugely expensive and would have delivered a network which was simply leased and never owned. Thanks to Boston Networks Ltd’s high speed wireless solution, Gentoo now enjoy the benefits of a rapid return on investment in addition to a fully owned network.
The result has been the delivery of a carrier-class network which is now supported by a personalised Boston Networks Ltd maintenance & support contract.
Client Testimony
Gentoo Group is very pleased with the quality of service received from Boston Networks. From initial planning and design right through to the bespoke maintenance service Gentoo receive, Boston Networks has added significant value to our solution - every step of the way.
Paul Sandersfield, ICT Service Manager, Gentoo Group
