White Lund WiFi
2nd December 2011
For the first time, businesses on White Lund Industrial Estate are operating with a super fast wireless broadband connection thanks to Morecambe-based Bowker IT. The development means local businesses such as Catlows will be able to compete on a national scale for the first time – and protect their premises via real time CCTV images which will help catch unwanted intruders in the act too.
The new wireless broadband speeds up email, websites and ‘cloud’ services for those with Microsoft Office 365. It will particularly benefit businesses with more than one site, those who trade online and those who typically send lots of emails, as communication will be so much faster. Because the new broadband helps to move information around much more quickly, firms with CCTV can link it up and watch a live stream on their smartphones or laptops when they are away from the site and be secure in the knowledge that their premises are safe.
Stuart Errington, director of Bowker IT, comments: “Unfortunately BT has been ignoring business demands for fast broadband on White Lund for too long. We’ve had promise after promise, but the simple fact is that we all need broadband to operate and we can’t wait any longer. Until now no other service has been cost effective, but we’ve found a solution which we’ve tested here at Bowker IT. Now we’re rolling it out to businesses across the industrial estate.”
One of the first customers to take advantage of the new service is Catlows, which provides skip hire, bottled gas, and is an approved coal merchant. Matthew Catlow explains: “We’d been experiencing huge problems with BT’s internet service to White Lund for years as we’re a long way from the exchange. In the current economic climate it’s so important to be able to operate nationally, but when the broadband is cutting out it’s difficult to send emails and receive emails, which is unprofessional. BT keeps promising that new services will be available, but nothing materialises.
“Bowker IT has installed our new broadband service, which means we can trade online for the first time, opening our business up to customers right across the UK rather than just in our region. It’s a massive step forward for us and a very exciting time for the company. In addition, a recent break-in cost us thousands of pounds and we want to avoid this happening again. Our CCTV system now works with the fast broadband connection, meaning anyone breaking in will trip an alarm and images will be sent straight to my phone wherever I am. I can phone the police immediately and ensure the thieves are caught red handed, rather than discovering a break in the next day. It really is going to help us so much.”
To ensure the service reaches businesses across the industrial estate, Bowker IT has erected a mast on top of its offices on Whitegate. The firm was the first to test the fast broadband service, using it to communicate with customers up and down the country who need online IT support from the team. Launched last week, three businesses now have the wireless broadband with more orders in the pipeline. For more information about the broadband service to White Lund, contact Bowker IT on 0844 880 0737.
ENDS
For media enquiries:
Refresh PR / 0161 212 1695
Laura Mashiter - laura@refreshpr.co.uk /07792 256027
About Bowker IT:
Based in the North West, Bowker IT works across all sectors to provide electrical engineering services and IT support. These include design and build, fire and security installation, data and optical fibre installation, control panels and wiring, testing and inspection and preventative and reactive maintenance. To businesses, the Bowker IT team provides regular IT helpdesk support and as well as providing solutions for businesses looking to upgrade or move premises. For more information visit www.bowkerit.co.uk or call 0844 880 0737.
