Diageo utilizes wireless solution to make its employees more efficient

The Background

As the world’s leading premium alcoholic beverage manufacturer, Diageo features an outstanding line of spirits, wines and beers, including Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Baileys, J&B, Captain Morgan, Cuervo, Tanqueray, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards.

Listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO), Diageo trades in more than 180 markets around the world. It employs 23,720 people worldwide, with more than 1,300 personnel based in its North American headquarters in Norwalk, Connecticut.

The Challenge

Employees in Diageo’s North American headquarters had sporadic access to cellular and wireless Internet services. Personnel would frequently have to stand by a window to make important customer calls on their mobile phones, and they were often unable to receive email on their smartphones because of the poor wireless coverage in the building.

Diageo wanted to make its employees more efficient by providing real-time, reliable and constant access to information within its Norwalk facility. The company wanted to implement a flexible, broadband wireless infrastructure that could support a variety or wireless networks, including: 3G/4G, two-way radio, and fire/life/safety

The Solution

Diageo chose BBOX’s broadband solution because it could scale to meet the company’s short and long-term needs. In the short term, as the number of users accessing the various wireless networks changes, the system responds to provide the appropriate wireless network capacity at the exact place and time it is needed, ensuring that Diageo always has enough bandwidth. Over time, the solution also can expand to accommodate Diageo’s growing business needs.

Currently, all of Diageo’s employees use the various wireless networks provided by this solution – most commonly the 3G/4G networks for mobile phone users. The solution is connected with several national cellular providers, including T-Mobile, AT&T, and Sprint.

The IBM Integrated Technology Services team worked closely with BBOX to perform onsite surveys of Diageo’s environment, as well as custom design and install the DAS to meet the Norwalk office’s needs. The IBM team was also responsible for end-to-end management of this solution.