Lakeland Leather finds the perfect fit with Vodat International network

This article is brought to you by Retail Technology Review: Lakeland Leather finds the perfect fit with Vodat International network.

Lakeland Leather, the specialist in leather, suede and sheepskin coats and accessories, is upgrading to a fully managed MPLS Network from Vodat International, the leading communications solution provider to the retail industry.

As part of the upgrade, Vodat is also supplying Lakeland Leather with a cloud based Wi-Fi solution across stores and the warehouse. The new Wi-Fi solution will improve services in-store including better stock availability, network connectivity, provide free customer Wi-Fi access and allow the introduction of a number of new digital promotions.

The new fully managed solution ensures Lakeland Leather has a robust communications network and consistent visibility of transactions and data from all 22 stores. The new sophisticated Wi-Fi network will allow customers to view stock held across all stores as well as allowing customers to log on to the network in-store for online browsing and access to future promotions.

Randy Orrison, IT Manager at Lakeland Leather commented, "Our store network was previously managed in-house by the IT team and the maintenance absorbed a lot of valuable time. By switching to a fully managed network, Vodat will take away the headache of managing the network in-house. We are also looking to introduce iPad's into each store to allow shop floor staff to check stock levels and price wherever they are in the store. This will create a more personal shopping experience for our customers."

Randy added, "Vodat has excellent industry experience which is what we needed from a supplier. I have no doubt we will receive excellent service. Everything I have seen so far from Vodat has been impressive, they have been responsive and accommodating to our needs and have shown us that they understand retail inside out."

Paul Leybourne, Head of Sales at Vodat International, said, "This is an exciting time for Lakeland Leather. The Wi-Fi network will transform the in-store offering and our managed service means that the IT department will have more time to focus on further developing systems, as opposed to maintaining them. Furthermore, Lakeland is considering the introduction of iPads, which will better connect the online and in-store journey, arm sales staff with visibility of stock and product information as well as enable transactions anywhere in the store."

Lakeland Leather started trading in 1960's and the first shop was located in Ambleside in the Lake District.  The company has gradually expanded, taking care not to lose its unique blend of fashion and quality and now has 22 shops throughout the country. The new network is scheduled to go-live early 2014.