Wawa To Deploy High Speed Network

WAWA, Pa. -- Wawa Inc. has announced plans to install a new network infrastructure to speed common store processes such as credit card transactions and collection of daily sales records from its stores.

The infrastructure, which employs hardware developed by Rochester, N.H.-based Enerasys Networks Inc., has reportedly reduced credit card authorization time from 25 seconds to less than 5 seconds per transaction, partly by prioritizing the transactions over other network traffic.

"Our new network is the foundation of a number of significant initiatives that will come down the pike for Wawa and our IT team over the next few years," Marty Maglio, director of IT Architecture for Wawa Inc., said in a release.

"The network sets the stage for our entire organization in the future. It will enable us to get to the point where we can implement web-based solutions for our stores, such as automated back-office systems and enable real-time data and analysis to both the store and corporate-level," he continued. "Our vision is centered on web-based solutions, and the new Enterasys network backbone will enable us to reach that goal."

Wawa will install new security routers, state-of-the-art frame relay wide area network (WAN) and both a wired and wireless local area networks (LAN) for each of its 550 stores.

The system will support the Customer Activated Terminals (CATs) that Wawa's customers use to order deli items -- continuously tracking customer orders, deli sales and inventory. The collection of daily sales records and inventory data will also be facilitated by the network's support of wireless scanners used for goods receipt, and the time required to electronically poll store systems will be significantly reduced.

"Enterasys solutions will enable Wawa not only to deliver additional convenience to its customers, but also to improve productivity and network efficiency across their operations," said William O'Brien, CEO of Enterasys Networks. "We are very pleased to have been selected by Wawa and we look forward to continuing to work with them to provide business and technology solutions that help achieve their business goals."
X
This ad will auto-close in 10 seconds