The BBL Group, founded in 1997 by Kaci Kebaili and specializing in sensitive freight (through the Charvin, Charpiot, Marichal and BBL Galax brands), has chosen our WiFi as a Service solution to guarantee smooth operations at its logistics warehouses, on both the customer and business sides.
// BUSINESS CHALLENGES
Managed WiFi to support the group's Lean Logistics strategy
Offering a multiservice network for warehouses and offices
The BBL Group's business has become inextricably linked with wireless connectivity, which represents an incredible vector of productivity in line with the Group's Lean Logistics approach.
The implementation of a WiFi as a service solution by Wifirst has made it possible to pool the network for all BBL's needs, particularly in the office areas. WiFi is also essential for business terminals (handhelds, tablets, etc.) to communicate with their WMS software; it can also be used as a gateway to remotely control machines, such as overhead cranes, which are widely used for mobile working.
At the same time, a WiFi guest has also been set up for visitors (customers, suppliers, etc.).
Interfacing the network with customer information systems
At a time when supply chains are becoming increasingly complex, the BBL Group has built up a range of contract logistics services on a modular basis to ensure a perfect match with its customers' specifications. As part of the deployment of our WiFi as a service solution, Wifirst engineering took care of configuring the integration of the BBL group's IS (existing LAN network) so that it could interface with those of its customers.
// TECHNICAL CHALLENGES
Ensuring total coverage of warehouses despite a disrupted environment
The BBL Group called on Wifirst for the first time in 2018. Its logistics warehouse in Bussy-Saint-George was equipped with a WiFi network that served as technical support for business needs: order taking, reference searches, connected showerheads... Unfortunately, this network was not meeting expectations, and was affecting both productivity and the working conditions of on-site employees. Wifirst, with its unique expertise in WiFi technology, proposed an on-site coverage audit and the deployment of a brand new "as a service" solution to finally provide the BBL group with a suitable WiFi infrastructure.
Wifirst understood the challenges of the logistics environment (high ceilings, numerous shelves, changing environments, etc.), and was able to propose a tight mesh with high-density access points to ensure ultra-fine WiFi coverage.
The partnership was naturally extended to other BBL Group warehouses in France.
// NETWORK DEPLOYMENT AND MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES
Deploying in parallel with 24/7 warehouse activity
BBL's logistics warehouses operate 24/7. It is therefore essential to organize on-site deployments in parallel with warehouse activity, with access points installed at height using a gondola and commissioned remotely by our maintenance team.
Wifirst's teams continuously monitor the network to ensure that it is running smoothly (particularly during the warehouse's peak morning activity), carry out routine actions to upgrade it, and ensure that BBL's teams can concentrate on their core business thanks to a reliable, high-performance WiFi service.
"By working with Wifirst, we have been able to achieve the levels of reliability and WiFi coverage that promote operational excellence within our warehouses. Being able to rely on the expertise of a specialist is essential: our teams can focus on constantly finding optimization mechanisms for our customers' needs because we know that the WiFi in our warehouses is reliable in all circumstances."
Khalid El Fathi
IT Manager, BBL Group
