BHF Shops Get New Managed Private Network

BHF Shops Improve Productivity with New Managed Private Network from Vodat

The British Heart Foundation (BHF), the UK's pioneering heart charity, has introduced a broadband based managed private network from Vodat International in its BHF Shops to improve communications and productivity across its retail business.

The charity has deployed Vodat International's network to manage the data for the sales of both donated and new goods across its 600 stores.

The charity's day-to-day operational information was previously gathered at the head office by overnight polling of 600 stores' EPOS tills via a standard phone line. Steve Biddle, Head of Finance at BHF Shops, said, "This was obviously an expensive and inefficient method and we wanted to reduce costs while improving reliability. We needed a flexible technology that would enable us to manage our data network efficiently, improve communications between stores across the business and assist us in improving our customer service."

The new BHF private network is fully managed by Vodat International, this means that any and all issues connected with the network are dealt with by Vodat International, and there is no need for the charity's staff to monitor or to resolve any network problems.

Mike Bielinski, CEO at Vodat International, said, "Our managed private network not only meets the charity's immediate needs but it also allows them to adapt to changing requirements in the future. This fully managed private network not only provides a more cost-efficient solution for BHF Shops communications requirements, it also delivers the necessary platform that enables them to introduce other applications such as EFT processing and e-commerce applications. It also allows the charity to develop innovative and cost effective IP telephony, electronic messaging and e-learning solutions, as and when the business requires it."

The BHF Shops were established in 1987 in South East England and have contributed around £100 million to the charity's funds.

About the British Heart Foundation

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is the UK's heart charity, dedicated to saving lives through pioneering research, patient care, campaigning for change and by providing vital information. The BHF vision is of a world in which people do not die prematurely of heart disease. For more information please visit the British Heart Foundation.

About Vodat International

Vodat International is a telecom provider of retail specific communications solutions to retailers in the UK and EU. Vodat's specialist knowledge and experience in retailing enables it to leverage more value from its managed networks through the development and application of retail specific products and services.  The Plimsoll report 2008 placed Vodat as the 8^th fastest growing telecommunications company in the UK. Please visit Vodat International for more details.