Cable & Wireless has signed a multimillion euro contract with one of Europe’s leading men’s fashion houses Zegna to deliver a tailor-made pan-European virtual private network linking up its retail branches.
The Ermenegildo Zegna Group is the world leader in luxury men’s clothing. It employs over 7,000 staff worldwide and has achieved a turnover of €843m in 2007. The group has 547 monobrand points of sale in 93 countries.
Cable & Wireless (C&W) will proactively manage Zegna’s growing international communications infrastructure from its data centres in Dublin and Munich.
C&W was chosen to provide Zegna’s entire network infrastructure due to the reach and capacity of its global IP network, and its expertise in managing next-generation communications for leading international retail chains.
By reducing the need for Zegna to invest in local IT systems and technical personnel as it grows its network of international stores, the fully managed solution will deliver considerable cost savings.
C&W is migrating all of Zegna’s retail branches on to its global Internet Protocol Virtual Private Network (IP VPN). This integrated, high-speed network gives Zegna a centralised view of all its business-critical retail applications, including real-time stock and accounts information.
This is essential for enhanced management of Zegna’s inventory across global markets, including latest offers and the introduction of exclusive new clothing lines.
Additionally, the flexible IP solution has been designed to add next-generation retail applications, including digital signage and broadcast advertising across all Zegna stores.
“C&W has significant experience of delivering solutions to the retail sector throughout Asia, Europe and the US; this experience ensures that we understand the needs of our retail customers and are well placed to deliver a great customer service,” said Noreen O’Hare, director of Europe, Cable&Wireless.
“For Zegna, we’re providing a completely managed approach to its communication requirements that will enhance its IT capabilities, while also accelerating business performance and creating cost efficiencies,” said O’Hare.
By John Kennedy
