The Wolseley Hospitality Group modernising their network infrastructure with Innovaro Technology and Cisco Meraki

Overview

The Wolseley Hospitality Group is renowned for some of London’s best loved and most iconic restaurants, including: The Wolseley, Fischer’s, The Delaunay, Brasserie Zedel and Colbert.

Each restaurant is immaculately presented with guest experience being of the upmost importance.
 

Challenge

The Wolseley Hospitality Group needed to modernise its aging network infrastructure to improve performance, support growing operational demands, and elevate the guest experience. With their existing Cisco AireOS WLC, access points and Catalyst switches approaching end-of-life, the existing infrastructure lacked the modern features, reliability, coverage, and manageability required in a fast-paced hospitality environment.

Reliability, security, and scalability were critical to supporting both operational excellence and an exceptional guest experience.

Innovaro Technology was engaged to deliver a wired and wireless infrastructure upgrade, leveraging Cisco Meraki’s leading cloud-managed networking solutions.
 

Solution

Innovaro delivered a comprehensive network infrastructure upgrade with a Cisco Meraki cloud-managed solution at their head office and a number of their restaurants, the solution included:
 

• Cisco Meraki MS120, MS130 and MS210 switches to create a faster, more resilient LAN backbone.
• Cisco Meraki MR44 Wi-Fi 6 access points to provide high-performance and complete coverage.
• Meraki Dashboard for centralized, cloud-based management, enabling real-time visibility, simplified maintenance and reporting across all locations.
• Integrate Wireless Social from Access Hospitality into the Cisco Meraki wireless platform to gather actionable customer data for added value.
   

Solution Highlights

MR44
The Cisco Meraki MR44 is a cloud-managed 2x2:2 + 4x4:4 802.11ax access point that raises the bar for wireless performance and efficiency. The MR44 offers high throughput, enterprise-grade security, and simple management.

The MR44 provides a maximum of 2.7 Gbps aggregate frame rate with concurrent 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radios. A dedicated third radio provides real-time WIDS/WIPS with automated RF optimization, and a fourth integrated radio delivers Bluetooth scanning and beaconing.

MS130
Cisco Meraki MS130 switches provide Layer 2 access switching, ideal for branch and campus deployments. The MS130 series features a variety of options designed to meet the diverse needs of branch and campus deployments including PoE+ and mGig capabilities.
 

Implementation

A staged implementation plan was developed to ensure zero disruption to daily operations. Upgrades were scheduled outside of service hours, allowing for a smooth and efficient transition without impacting staff or guests.

The Meraki platform includes a number of features to aid deployments, including configuration templates, SmartPorts and an exhaustive API.
 

Results

The Meraki deployment dramatically improved all aspects of network infrastructure for both guests and front-of-house and back-of-house operations. The cloud-first approach enabled proactive monitoring and rapid issue resolution, reducing the need for on-site intervention.
 

• Modernised both wired and wireless infrastructure.
• Improved Wi-Fi coverage and performance with Wi-Fi 6 enabled access points for both guests and staff, AI-RMM continuously monitors and optimises wireless configuration.
• Significantly improved monitoring capabilities to aid troubleshooting and reduce time to fix.
• Automatic updates scheduled for out of hours ensuring the network infrastructure is updated to ensure peak stability and security whilst lowering administrative overhead.
• All Meraki switches and indoor access points include lifetime warranty reducing the total cost of ownership.
• The project was delivered within budget and on-time with no disruption to day-to-day operations.

Testimonial

”We are absolutely delighted with the upgrades across our estate. Innovaro Technology understands our business and the importance of ensuring a seamless experience for our guests. Their phased, well-planned delivery was crucial to the project’s success, it was delivered exactly as promised, on time, on budget, and with zero disruption to our operations. The new networks have already made a noticeable difference to both our teams and our guests.”

Andreas Papayiannis, Finance Director, The Wolseley Hospitality Group
 

Conclusion

Innovaro’s commitment to technical excellence, proactive project management, and deep understanding of hospitality operations made us the ideal partner for The Wolseley Group.

With a strong focus on quality, communication, and seamless delivery, we continue to help leading businesses transform their technology landscapes.