A system installed by Staffordshire IT specialists ARC IT
Solutions has helped a client rake in almost £1.5m in sales
at this year's Spring Fair.
The Stoke-on-Trent-based firm set up the system, which enables
companies to scan barcodes, check stock, and take orders on their
exhibition stands, on behalf of an electrical goods supplier at the
NEC in Birmingham.
The stand effectively became a remote office, complete with
wireless internet connection and CCTV cameras to ensure stock was
safe when the exhibition was closed.
ARC IT Director Andy Rafferty said: "It's not the first time we
have helped this client set up at an exhibition, but it was
certainly the most successful for them in sales.
"Exhibitions are a major part of their business - last year they
did four shows and brought in sales worth £4m (about 10% of
their annual turnover) - and having the ability to take and
dispatch orders on the day is vital for them.
"It gives them an advantage over other retailers at the show
too.
"To go with this they need efficient IT support to sort out
problems if they arise, because if the system went down they could
lose sales - losing a day might be worth £1m in orders."
ARC IT will now be responsible for helping the company move to
larger premises - they are currently working on the network
infrastructure at the new headquarters in Fenton, having carried
out a site survey in January.