Networks are the lifeblood of the modern retail operation; as such, they must be scalable, resilient, secure and robust. A well-built and managed network keeps store applications running, and delivers the tools to operate efficiently, extract business intelligence, and create an excellent customer experience. As retailers pilot and deploy new applications, such as mobile point of sale (POS), radio-frequency identification (RFID) or interactive merchandise displays, the benefits of good network design are fully realized.
This article highlights key considerations to build and deploy a scalable retail network infrastructure at your organization.
Long-Term Success Depends On Future Planning
In recent years, pressures on the IT department have increased dramatically. In addition to core considerations around the method of transport, security and topology, retailers must also carefully evaluate the applications (network-connected platforms that serve the store or enterprise) they plan to support — both today and in the future.
A broad range of technology is being deployed in stores, with dramatically varying bandwidth requirements. Examples include, but are not limited to: digital signage, time clocks, video surveillance, POS terminals and customer Wi-Fi.
While it’s important to plan for these technology trends within existing applications, the key is to also build a flexible network architecture that supports new ones. Often, this is the difference between success and failure over the long term.
Core Factors To Consider When Planning
To realize optimal long-term success, and balance cost and performance across a large number of sites, retailers should consider the following three factors during the network planning phase: Bandwidth and application needs, alternatives to legacy connectivity options, and the value of moving other systems onto the network.
1. Bandwidth and Application Needs
Without a clear view of what the network must support today, and the degree to which it must scale in the future, the design and implementation is almost certain to come up short in one way or another. Cross-departmental collaboration, and guidance from manufacturers and other outside partners, is critical to obtaining necessary insight.
While IT departments are typically very proficient at calculating technical network requirements, they can only be as accurate as the data available to them. All departments must contribute in meaningful ways to the planning process.
A perfect example lies in physical security. Here, bandwidth assumptions that were used just a few years ago have been rendered obsolete by multi-megapixel Internet protocol (IP) cameras, cloud storage options and video analytics. These technologies have the potential to return greater value to the organization, but only if the network fully supports them. If IT is not collaborating with loss prevention, critical opportunities will be missed, and networks may face inadequacies.
On the other hand, with a complete view of existing and proposed applications, IT can gather technical requirements that fully encompass organizational needs. This includes anticipated technology changes that could impact network requirements later.
2. Alternatives To Legacy Connectivity Options
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The need for bandwidth is constantly increasing, and retailers who adopt a flexible approach to delivery can achieve better performance at a lower cost. Some examples to consider include: secondary networks for high-bandwidth applications, broadband bonding versus a single high-capacity circuit or an IPSec virtual private network (VPN) instead of multiprotocol label switching (MPLS).
It’s recommended that retailers evaluate these alternatives to their legacy, cost-prohibitive connectivity options to realize maximum return.
3. Value Of Moving Other Systems Onto The Network
As an organization, a network redesign is the perfect time to also revisit other system upgrades that may have been on hold due to technology maturation, budget or complexity. By proactively moving other systems onto the network, retailers can open up new options for system integration and data reporting.
For example, the majority of security alarm systems still rely on telephone (PSTN) lines for communication. Tying them into your network instead creates a more cohesive data infrastructure, while reducing dependence on antiquated analog lines. Similarly, voice-over-Internet protocol (VoIP) can deliver tremendous return on investment for multi-site operations by pooling voice lines and eliminating PBX hardware.
Take an executive-level look at your technology wheelhouse to determine if (and how) consolidation could benefit your operations, and then tackle multiple upgrades at once.
Achieving A Comprehensive Network Design
As outlined above, the key to a flexible retail network is proper planning and organizational insight. Often this requires a multi-departmental, 360-degree look at the project to ensure all stakeholders and applications are accounted for in the design.
Steve White is corporate Vice President of Business Development at Vector Security, an integrator of physical security solutions for North American retailers and multi-site businesses. For more on building a retail network, read his whitepaper, LP Meets IT for Complete Managed Business Infrastructure, Security and Intelligence.
