Howdens Case Study

Howden Kitchens Supply Division, the manufacturing and distribution arm of the massively successful Howdens Joinery UK-wide chain of trade depots, now benefits from a Polycom Videoconferencing infrastructure installed and maintained by PacificWave.

With its geographically dispersed factories and distribution centres in Howden near Hull, Runcorn, and Northampton, their need to talk to suppliers and importers throughout the world, and the requirement to liaise with Howdens Joinery and with the parent company Galiform Plc at sites in Northampton, London and Watford, Polycom Videoconferencing seemed like the right route for Howden Kitchens to simplify their communications.

By engaging PacificWave to provide the solution, Howdens have a state-of-the-art high definition VC system, fully integrated with the meeting room controls using Crestron control systems. The intuitive control panel designed by PacificWave is an example of our commitment to client partnership, as Howdens themselves had input into the layout and functions. Even when the hardware differs around the six VC-equipped sites, the control system makes every suite work in the same way for the users.

The six sites have a combination of IP and ISDN connections, based on Polycom HDX8000 and VSX7000 endpoints, and all have Multipoint Licenses for multiway conferences. Some have the optional 2nd screen for even more intuitive communication, or the display of data or presentations.

The ongoing support means that the Howdens can be sure their infrastructure is going to be working at the crucial time, and PacificWave also help to maintain the address books, again to ensure consistency for the users across the estate.

PacificWave, with its IT knowledge lent from parent company Pacific Computers, can work closely with IT departments when deploying these IP related technologies to ensure that the IT department gets no surprises and can be confident that these additions to the network will be implemented in a controlled way, and will not impact their users.

The system is well used within Howdens, and PacificWave have now added themselves to this network of videoconferencing endpoints to keep in touch with our client, and a proactively maintain the units by testing them from our headquarters in Basingstoke!

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