Case Study: PetSmart

PROJECT OVERVIEW: In 2006, CHN Technologies partnered with Dimension Data Corporation, a leading IT services integrator, to facilitate the deployment of a managed Cisco IP phone system, network upgrade and wireless IP phone solution in over 670 PetSmart stores nationwide. In total, approximately 25 network devices were integrated into each store's existing system in just 14 weeks. CHN maintained a direct hands-on role throughout the project doing the physical installations and providing installations training as well. In the office, our expert project managers and scheduling coordinators handled daily schedule changes and cancellations to keep the flow of installations moving on or ahead of schedule.
Project Highlights

• scheduled and coordinated over 670 store installs per the client's 2-month fixed schedule -- beginning with less than a weeks notice.
• dispatched experienced training personnel to support installation teams in key regions around the nation with high concentrations of sites.
• completed an average of 84 store installations per week for 8 weeks, all in after-hours time slots (i.e., 9:00PM-6:00AM local)
• managed the distribution and collection of implementation manuals and revisions, site documentation, installation photographs and wireless survey's of each completed install.
• completed the project with no additional charges billed (unless required by client orders) on any of over 670 completed store installs.

• Structured Cabling: CHN teams installed over 250,000 feet of 25-pair cable in PetSmart stores from coast to coast to extend the existing PSTN phone lines from the demark at each store, to the location of the newly installed equipment. The teams also installed over 500,000 feet of Category-5E cable in these stores to provide connectivity between the newly installed Cisco 2811 router and 3 newly installed Cisco Wireless Access Points, placed in the ceiling rafters of each store.


• Cisco Router and Switch Cutover: Each PetSmart store received a new Cisco router and switch. After the existing equipment was removed and new equipment installed, each router was connected to the existing circuit (T-1 or 56K) and store POS servers and tested remotely for functionality. After determining the functionality of the new router, switch and existing POS servers, the existing store network was cutover to the newly installed equipment and tested.


• IP Phone Installation: Each PetSmart store received a minimum of 8 Cisco IP station phones and 6 Cisco Wireless IP Phones. The old phone system and phones were removed and replaced with new phones.


• Music on Hold and Paging: CHN teams installed Valcom feedback eliminators and other devices to integrate each stores existing music on hold and paging systems into the newly installed system.


• Symbol Wireless Handheld Scanner Reconfiguration: Each PetSmart store utilized existing Symbol handheld POS and Inventory scanners for pricing and inventory purposes. Each scanner needed to be reconfigured in order for the scanners to function on the newly installed wireless network within each store.


• Telco Cross-Connects: After installing all new equipment and cabling, each PetSmart store's 4 to 6 existing phone lines were cut over from the existing phone system to the new system equipment and then tested for functionality.


• Wireless Survey: Utilizing wireless testing software, CHN teams performed a wireless survey at each store to check for full signal coverage.