Pricewaterhouse Coopers Kinesis
Siemon Network Turns Virtual Into Reality
The exciting evolution that is underway in global communications is increasingly reliant on efficient structured cabling networks, which is ably demonstrated in this unusual leading edge application.
PricewaterhouseCoopers Kinesis (PwCK) is a company specializing in high-end, e.commerce solutions and is part of the global management consultancy, finance and accountancy giant PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). In a fascinating and unique application at the forefront of the IT revolution, PwCK relies on the benefits of a modern, warranty-backed, Siemon structured cabling network.
Located in Swindon, in a modern three floor development, the PwCK working environment is a somewhat schizophrenic experience. One half of the building is the front entrance to PwCK and its systems integration practice, providing leading-edge e-commerce solutions. A separate entrance to the property leads to PwC's 'Retail Solutions Centre'(RSC). The RSC is a bold, creative initiative aimed at winning consultancy business from global retail players. The concept is based around a fictitious, but highly realistic, multi-national retail company called T&K. The RSC simulates the world of T&K, its employees and its customers by providing realistic mock-ups of a shopping mall, a warehouse distribution centre, the head office and even the living room of a customer's home. Each scenario is packed with the latest e-business technologies that demonstrate the huge benefits that can be delivered by implementing PwC enterprise resource planning and e-business solutions.
During the past 2 years, the entire Swindon building has undergone two completely separate network replacements using Siemon structured cabling products installed by cabling specialists Network Cabling Installations (NCI) Ltd of Bookham, Surrey, a leading Siemon Certified Installer. The first new network was for the impressive PwC ground floor 'Retail Solutions Centre' and the second was for the first and second floor offices of PwCK consulting headquarters. The separate Siemon networks carry all voice, data and image traffic.
"As a company at the forefront of business communications technology, we needed an installer and network solution we could trust, that enabled us to fully match the expectations of our customers and provide fast, efficient solutions...With very professional NCI know-how installation and Siemon technology, we have more than achieved that."
"As a company at the forefront of business communications technology, we needed an installer and network solution we could trust, that enabled us to fully match the expectations of our customers and provide fast, efficient solutions," says Thom Langford, IT Manager at PwCK. "With very professional NCI know-how and installation and Siemon technology, we have more than achieved that." The Siemon category 5 and 5e networks come complete with a full 16 year Siemon warranty, covering product, installation and application when installed by a Siemon trained and certified installer, such as NCI. Siemon has an intensive 'certified installer' training program, which they systematically apply world-wide, to ensure that guaranteed standards of warranty backed quality are maintained.
The PwC 'Retail Solutions Centre' was installed in late 1998 using a Siemon category 5, structured cabling system. NCI was responsible for both the network installation and the wiring of a complete, operational comms room, fitted with Data General (now a division of EMC) equipment and patched using Siemon HD5® Patch Panels and Modular Cords. The network includes 180 Siemon category 5 CT Modular Outlets plus 180 power points. The separate first and second floor PwCK office network and communications room were designed and installed by NCI in mid 1999 using a Siemon category 5e network comprising a quantity of 380 Siemon CT Modular Outlets for the net and 380 power points. Good use has been made throughout the network, of the special Siemon molded indent on each CT Modular Outlet, enabling the addition of neat, colour coded labels. Every desktop is provided with a very neat 4 way arrangement, using 4 patched outlets plus 4 mains power points. The impressive NCI designed and installed communications room also utilizes Siemon HD5 Patch Panels and Modular Cords. "By replanning the first and second floor desk layouts and the associated network, we created an impressive 45% increase in operating desk space," says Thom Langford.
PwC implemented the 'Retails Solutions Centre' on the ground floor of the PwCK offices in Swindon, allowing them to readily use local e.commerce expertise from within PwCK. Visiting prospective customers are taken through the invented but apparently living, T&K organization and shown its long trading history, warts, achievements and all.
The 'Retail Solutions Centre' comes complete with a realistic, operational mini shopping mall. Network linked, it perfectly demonstrates the typical trading benefits, and the potential problems and their resolution, of almost any large retail organization. As a working example, the 'Retail Solutions Centre' is used to demonstrate various business models and solutions, particularly e.commerce, which are discussed in parallel with potential customers' own trading requirements. This hopefully leads to the supply of PwC services to improve the business efficiency of their customers and provide e.commerce solutions. PwC already work, of course, with a substantial number of the world's top companies.
The 'Retail Solutions Centre' has its own reception (with a real receptionist) which is totally separate from the PwCK company front entrance, giving the site its somewhat schizophrenic feel. From the T&K reception, you are ushered into the deep pile carpeted T&K boardroom. Around the walls are emblems of the company's invented history, including apparently genuine press cuttings recording key company events, a substantial boardroom table and chairs and the latest audio visual aids and presentation equipment. In the boardroom, realistic discussions can take place with PwC customers to show the very detailed history of the T&K company and importantly, how T&K survived various business traumas leading to their current, successful e-commerce activity.
Leading directly off the boardroom is the fascinating T&K mini retail shopping mall, which is fully networked using an NCI installed Siemon category 5 network. It includes a mini T&K store with check-out and a carefully selected, representative mix of typical trading products. Included are food stuffs, hardware and clothing (both high street and T&K house brands); a mini storage and distribution centre, with a virtual delivery vehicle ready to depart; a European head office; and a typical home environment, with lounge complete with TV and importantly 'internet trading'.
Prospective customers usually arrive for an initial one day interactive symposium. There is also a separate, very well equipped training room whose network was also installed by NCI using Siemon products. It accepts around 10 people for individual IT based training sessions using PwC and PwCK business solutions.
This very novel application demonstrates just how far modern communications and structured cabling networks have become an integral part of every day trading, not just business-to-business but potentially for every household.
(2000, UK)
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