Strencom

Strencom, the business IP services provider, today announced the completion of a EUR60K private managed data network for ECCO Ireland, one of the largest footwear wholesalers and retailers in Ireland.  The Strencom solution has connected twelve ECCO retail stores throughout the island of Ireland, enabling cost effective, real-time access to accounts and stock information.

ECCO has twelve retail stores throughout the country with additional wholesale contracts with 220 independent shoe outlets.  In 2008, ECCO opened three new stores which increased employee numbers from 90 to 120 and store locations by 25%.

Its previous disparate technologies and data networks couldn’t facilitate the increased volume of traffic and had driven costs up.  It also created a day long lag in the provision of stock and account information.  ECCO needed a network that could span the company’s entire retail, wholesale operations, and connect all its IT systems.  In addition, ECCO is growing its operation in the North, specifically in Belfast, and therefore it required a provider that had the capabilities to deliver an all-Ireland service.  Strencom has provided a private broadband ADSL solution, called Cloud Connect, allowing a dedicated network between all stores and head office.

Strencom’s solution allows ECCO’s head-office to see all transactions as they occur.  This gives them a real-time view of stock, point of sale and cash register information for each shop at the touch of a button.  In addition, it allows each store to access warehouse inventory so they can accurately tell customers when their shoes will be available. As ECCO scales the business, the Strencom solution will allow them to add new locations easily and securely by linking into the Cloud Connect high-speed wide area network.

Paul Lyons, Operations Manager, ECCO Ireland, said, “By working with Strencom, we’ve been able to streamline the cost of our network data infrastructure, increase levels of operational efficiencies and, ultimately, enhance our service offering to our customers.  With the benefit of real-time stock control analysis, ECCO is in a position to provide our customers with up-to-the-minute stock information.  In an increasingly competitive marketplace, these capabilities make a difference and are vital to our business.”

Tim Murphy, managing director, Strencom said, “ECCO needed a network connection that could facilitate its current and future growth. The Strencom network has become a business enabler for the company, allowing it to scale at an appropriate speed, reduce network costs and increase levels of customer service.  We have delivered ten similar private broadband networks in recent times with many driven by the need to cut costs and be more competitive,”

-ENDS-

About Strencom
Strencom is one of Ireland’s leading and fastest growing providers of Managed IP Data Networks. Its resilient core IP network comprises of multiple POPs in Ireland and the UK, including two wholly owned data centres. Its services include managed IP networks, hosting and co-location, broadband, wide area networks, leased lines and online data security and back up. The company was established in 2000, is ranked in the Deloitte Technology Fast Growth 50 for Ireland, the Deloitte Fast 500 for EMEA and is 100% privately owned.  Today, its customer base contains in excess of six hundred business, public sector, wholesale and reseller clients, with thousands of subscriber connections into the network.  Further information is available at www.strencom.net


About ECCO Ireland
ECCO is one of the biggest tanners in the world. ECCO's philosophy is to produce the best comfort footwear product on the market while taking care of all processes from rawhides to complete retail concepts. ECCO's goal of unique comfort, fit and flexibility have been achieved and are being continuously developed every season. ECCO guarantees comfortable walking by designing shoes that are soft, light and flexible, with built in shock absorbers and arch-supports. ECCO now produces footwear for all ages and most outdoor pursuits: walking boots, comfort shoes, sandals, golf and sports style shoes. In Ireland there are 11 ECCO stores in Dublin and Cork and Belfast, plus a further 220 plus stockists nationwide.

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Seán Walsh, Comit Communications and Marketing
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