• End-to-end converged solution enabled by Affiniti, the newly merged Kingston/Omnetica business
  
• First ever deployment of voice, video and data via DSL technology

Affiniti, the communications integrator created from the coming together of Kingston Communications Business Services, Omnetica and Technica, today announced a £5m, three-year contract with SportsWorld to conduct a technology refresh for its head office and 250 stores across the UK. SportsWorld, one of the fastest growing national retailers, is anticipating savings of £500k over the next three years with secure broadband connectivity and IP communications, including aggregated voice solutions and wireless technology, together with managed services.

John Ashley, IT director, SportsWorld said: "With the continuing consolidation of the retail market environment, increasingly demanding consumers and shrinking margins, we needed to improve the customer experience and align back office processes to ensure savings on all fronts, not just on the shop floor.  This included improving access to management information instore and the ability to update central systems in real time.  We actively sought and selected a partner who could do this in a way that utilised aspects of our legacy infrastructure and therefore could offer a cost effective solution."�

The converged solution with Cisco infrastructure from Affiniti utilises the existing DSL connection for voice, video and data - becoming one of the first implementations of its kind in the UK. 

As calls between HQ and the branches are free and both voice and data are run on a single network, the operating costs have been minimised. Existing circuits from BT have also been novated, providing a further 15% cost saving.  The deployment of wireless solutions instore generates further cost savings and improves workforce effectiveness.  This is achieved by utilising PDAs instore where staff can check stock availability without leaving the floor and in the warehouse where pickers use them to find stock quickly and maintain stock records.  Affiniti manages the whole infrastructure remotely from its state-of-the-art Network Operations Centre (NOC) at Hemel Hempstead.

John Ashley continued: "In theory voice and data over DSL wasn't supposed to work. No one has done this without losing voice quality. Affiniti's team were innovative in their design, rigorous in testing and meticulous in their implementation of the technology."�

Peter Halls, Director of Affiniti said: "This is the first major project for us as Affiniti.  Being able to provide full expertise in both data and voice technologies under one roof has been key to this deal. One of the many benefits of the new network is to enable quicker SportsWorld credit card authorisations, which are now 'always on' over IP as opposed to the usual dial-up, resulting in faster service to paying customers. Also by providing remote network monitoring and management there is less risk of downtime to hinder sales."�

Affiniti, the communications integrator, specialises in designing, implementing and managing intelligent communications solutions for private and public sector organisations.

Some of its customers include: Experian, Carphone Warehouse, British Airways, Ford, Admiral Insurance, Edinburgh Telford College , Royal Liverpool & Broadgreen Hospital , Cheshire Police, Citigroup, Lloyds TSB.

Affiniti is part of the KCOM Group.

KCOM Group PLC provides a range of integrated IT and communications services to businesses, and internet and telecommunications services to selected consumer markets, within the UK .

The Group's portfolio of businesses works with both leading private enterprise customers and public sector organisations. Through its Affiniti, Smart421 and JAM IP brands, the Group delivers solutions covering unified communications, contact centre solutions, data management, applications integration and managed services.

The KCOM Group also includes a regionally-focused business, Kingston Communications, which supports small to medium-sized businesses. Through its KC and Eclipse brands, the business offers a wide range of internet-based and telecommunications services. The regional business also provides telephony and internet services to targeted consumers through its KC, Eclipse and Karoo brands.

The Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange and employs over 2,700 people across the UK .

Alistair Kent
Kaizo
020 7580 8852
E: alistair.kent@kaizo.net

Dianne White
Affiniti
01442 883370
E: dianne.white@affiniti.com