CASE STUDY
Juniper Networks , a leader in secure , AI-driven networks , has announced that Halfords , the UK ’ s leading provider of motoring and cycling products and services , selected Juniper ’ s AI-driven wired and wireless access solutions in its stores , garages and offices to serve as a flexible foundation for its business growth and operational efficiency . The 125-year-old company has invested heavily to accelerate its Digital Transformation , leveraging the benefits of Mist AI and the cloud to create better commercial services and a unified , omnichannel retail experience for its customers . Halfords has reduced network-related trouble tickets by 100 % and has seen a 35 % improvement in uptime in the garages and stores where the deployment has been completed .
The Juniper AI-driven network provides an agile digital foundation for Halfords ’ continued success and drives a more consistent and convenient customer experience across locations and channels . It can tailor communications to Halfords Motoring Club members when they come to the store . The new network provides employees details about products such as child seats , cycle racks and roof racks , so they can have informed conversations with customers and sell with greater confidence .
Halfords pivoted during the pandemic , with strong growth in online sales and the addition of contactless tactics such as click-and-collect in its parking lots . Its innovative mobile field service software was key to delivering 70,000 services safely and efficiently per week for more than four years at its auto centres and customers ’ homes . Many pandemic-motivated shopping behaviours are now permanent , requiring an IT infrastructure that is flexible and scalable enough to support changing customer demands .
As shoppers return to stores to test-drive an electric bike , get an oil change or replace worn tires , for example , reliable wired and wireless connectivity is essential for both workers and shoppers alike . Halfords had an aging in-store network that was increasingly a roadblock to sales and service due to inconsistent performance and difficult troubleshooting , which resulted in poor user and operator experiences . To address this , the retailer is now deploying a Juniper wired and wireless network across its retail stores , auto centres and offices .
Mist AI works in conjunction with Juniper Access Points to deliver scalable and reliable Wi-Fi 6 and virtual Bluetooth LE services to Halfords ’ staff and customer smartphones , point-of-sale devices , in-store video displays and other connected devices . Juniper EX Series switches provide high-performance , secure access to wired devices with AI-driven automation and insights for easy provisioning , troubleshooting and operations . Marvis , the industry ’ s only virtual network assistant driven by Mist AI , provides proactive actions for easy fault identification and self-driving network operations for fast and proactive correction .
Halfords plans to transform its network further with the modernisation of its WAN , which connects its 1400 + stores , auto centres and mobile service vans . To achieve this , the retailer is also planning to deploy Juniper ’ s AI-driven SD-WAN solution , which leverages the same cloud and Mist AI engine as its new wired and wireless network . By deploying a full-stack Juniper solution , Halfords can achieve superlative insight into end-to-end user experiences and the superior automation from client-to-cloud .
Halfords worked with ConnectedID , a Juniper partner , to create the optimal network architecture , working on the design , validation and testing to ensure that the Juniper solutions met Halfords ’ strategic goals .
www . intelligentcio . com INTELLIGENTCIO EUROPE 59