Nationally based Bank Fashion are retail specialists in high end fashion ware, Presenting a showcase of leading fashion brands including; Firetrap, Replay, Miss Sixty, Bench and Duck and Cover alongside superb emerging brands like Superdry, Gio Goi, Pepe Jeans, Henleys, Vero Moda and Ribbon. With around 50 stores, the company has grown steadily since launching in 1994 and has its sights firmly set on expanding to at least 100 stores nationwide.

With a growing network of stores and further expansion in mind Bank Fashion were looking for a low cost, flexible, and scaleable solution for their data transfer and communication requirements.

Blaze Networks was commissioned to implement and manage a new system utilising cutting edge technologies. This network now handles all data requirements for Bank Fashion including VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) Citrix, Banks own internal intranet designed by Blaze and Microsoft Exchange email system.

How Does it Work?

The system is essentially a VPN replacement known as a Private Wide Area Network (PWAN). The Bank Fashion PWAN acts as a private network for the community of stores and because it's a private network (with no internet access*) there is no need to install firewalls at each site. This in itself allows for vastly increased transfer speed for files and data. A central server, based in Blaze Network’s Cisco based network situated in Docklands on the backbone of the UK Internet, contains all data content allowing stores extremely quick access to information. A Smart connect-solution lies at the heart of the system, enabling a variety of connections including ADSL, SDSL, leased lines. The smart-connect solution manages these connections such that if one goes down, the system will automatically switch to an alternative without any interruption of service. It's a low-cost way to provide superior resilience and bandwidth at the Bank HQ. For a further demonstration see our private network pages.

The Benefits

• Average transaction time was reduced from 30 seconds to just 4 seconds the difference between a sale and a lost sale in many cases.
• Previous VOIP reliability problems were resolved upon implementation of the system
• With no VPN’s or firewalls to set up Bank enjoyed tremendous cost savings.
• Significantly reduced hardware costs - minimal hardware means less initial cost, less to fail, and less to manage.
• PCI DSS security standards where achieved in half the time due to only one internet gateway though out the large organisation.

Bank Fashion now enjoy a flexible, low-cost solution which allows fast, secure, reliable data transfer. It is also easily scaleable an important consideration to allow for the proposed growth of the organisation.

*Internet access can be made available for specific branches if necessary this is usually controlled by the company's head office and at management's discretion.

"After using Blaze Networks services for the last 5 years we have had no security breaches and no server downtime"

Damien Scarlett, Managing Director, Bank Fashion