Beijer Ref AB Sweden, a prominent entity listed on Nasdaq Stockholm, ranks among the world’s largest global refrigeration wholesalers, boasting a vast network of 140 subsidiaries across Europe, North America, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. Diversifying its offerings, Beijer Ref AB excels in the fields of commercial refrigeration, industrial refrigeration, air conditioning, and heating.
The Challenge
For Beijer Ref Africa, a subsidiary of Beijer Ref AB Sweden, a robust IT infrastructure is of paramount importance, particularly for its 56 African branches and the 650 users relying on seamless access to critical systems, including ERP, Payroll, Microsoft Office 365, and Beijer Ref Africa’s Warehouse Management System. Historically, the company had been reliant on traditional MPLS connections through various providers, resulting in a lack of accountability. Additionally, Beijer Ref Africa grappled with exorbitant telephony call costs and sought a cost-effective PABX solution that could still deliver the requisite enterprise functionality.
The Solution
In 2016, Beijer Ref Africa’s operation forged a partnership with Zinia Connect IT, designating them as the preferred IT solution provider. The collaboration led to the implementation of the following solutions:
Zinia initially assumed control of Beijer Ref Africa’s MPLS network.
Subsequently, they transitioned the environment to an SD-WAN solution in conjunction with Vodacom, which encompasses:
- Centralised Direct Internet Access via Fibre, with Microwave internet failover.
- A dedicated firewall hosted at Vodacom.
- Remote VPN capabilities.
- Hosting space.
- An extensive service level agreement.
- Deployment of an IP-PBX system hosted at Vodacom.
- Establishment of a Disaster Recovery service hosted at Vodacom.
The Advantages
Beijer Ref Africa’s partnership with Zinia yielded several noteworthy benefits:
- Significant cost reduction through the transition to SD-WAN connectivity.
- Swift resolution of incidents, ensuring minimal downtime.
- A remarkable 86% reduction in telephony call costs.
- Enhanced availability, leading to minimal disruptions in operations.
This strategic alliance between Beijer Ref Africa and Zinia underscores the importance of innovative IT solutions in streamlining operations, reducing costs, and ensuring uninterrupted business continuity.
“Zinia provides excellent dedicated support with fast turnaround times and is on top of any issues that may arise. Open and honest communication has resulted in a trusted working relationship with Zinia. They provide expert advice and have always put the needs of the business first.” – John Young, Group Information Systems Manager: Beijer Ref Africa
