Harvey Norman, Belfast
Transforming retail connectivity in Northern Ireland
The Problem
Harvey Norman is a large Australian-based retail chain known for selling a wide range of products including furniture, bedding, computers, communications, and consumer electrical products.
A significant challenge Harvey Norman faced was that their buildings are constructed with metal cladding and brick, which severely affects mobile signal strength. As a result, customers and staff experienced significant difficulties with mobile communication, impacting the overall shopping experience and operational efficiency.
The Belfast retail store, located in Northern Ireland, presented unique challenges requiring extra time in planning and organising the installation. Ensuring that all our engineers were on-site and equipped with all necessary tools and equipment required meticulous coordination and preparation. This thorough approach was essential to guarantee a smooth and efficient installation process.
The facility faced severe mobile signal connectivity issues across their 3,750 sqm retail space, which is responsible for managing and safeguarding inventory and customer data. This lack of reliable mobile connectivity was affecting both customer satisfaction and staff productivity.
Our Solution
SITE SURVEY STAGE
Harvey Norman reached out to us with the aim of addressing the mobile signal connectivity challenges throughout their 3,750m² facility. To kick start the process, we provided an initial desktop survey, providing valuable insights into estimated costs and project timelines.
THE CHOSEN SOLUTION
Our design team recommended our Amplifi-Qx Digital signal solution, powered by CEL-FI QUATRA 4000 technology. The CEL-FI QUATRA 4000 is known for its reliability and capacity to deliver consistent and high-quality mobile signal coverage. This system included the following components:
Network Unit: The central hub of the system responsible for connecting to the external mobile network and distributing the signal internally.
Coverage Units (6): These units were strategically placed throughout the retail space to ensure comprehensive coverage. Each coverage unit extended the signal to a specific area, minimising signal dead zones.
Internal Antennas (21): These antennas were discreetly installed within the store to provide reliable signal coverage across various departments and customer areas.
External Antennas: We installed external antennas on the Harvey Norman building to capture the strongest possible mobile signal from nearby cell towers, ensuring reliable indoor connectivity.
INSTALLATION CHALLENGES
Despite successfully completing the installation at this store, we encountered significant challenges as we could only operate during the store's opening hours. This limitation made it difficult to work efficiently. However, through careful planning and coordination, we managed to ensure minimal disruption to the store's operations while still delivering a high-quality installation.
The Results
Significant Improvement Throughout
The implementation of the CEL-FI QUATRA 4000 signal solution at Harvey Norman Belfast provided impressive results:
Improved mobile signal strength throughout the store: The installation of signal boosters ensures that weak signals are amplified, providing strong and consistent mobile coverage across the entire 3,750 sqm retail space.
Enhanced call quality and fewer dropped calls: With the boosted signal, customers and staff experience clearer calls with fewer interruptions, reducing the frustration of dropped calls during important communications.
Enhanced mobile internet speeds for both customers and staff: The improved signal strength results in faster data speeds, allowing for quicker browsing, streaming, and online transactions, crucial for modern retail operations.
Increased customer satisfaction due to reliable communication: Customers can make calls, send texts, and use mobile data without issues, leading to a more pleasant shopping experience and improving overall customer satisfaction.
Immediate results
The reliable connectivity not only improved internal communication but also contributed to enhanced productivity and employee satisfaction. Staff can now efficiently use mobile devices for inventory management, customer service, and point-of-sale operations without connectivity issues.