Implementation and unification of LAN and WLAN at Espersen

The Espersen Group is a world leader in the processing of frozen fish blocks, fillets, and breaded fish products. Food quality and safety are the highest priority at Espersen, which is evidenced by the numerous certifications the group holds, including HACCP. The factories in Denmark, Poland, Lithuania, Russia, and Vietnam supply the clients in Europe and the United States. Their customers are such chains like Tesco and McDonald’s.

Espersen Polska Sp. z o.o. with its headquarters in Koszalin employs approximately 1300 people. It is one of the largest fish processing plants in Poland.

In 2012, when the managers of Espersen company made a decision to invest in a modern industrial network, they first consulted their two existing business partners: Intermec (now Honeywell) and Cisco. These were the world leaders who recommended the SKK SA as a reliable and experienced integrator of network solutions in production and warehouse environments.

Espersen was originally interested in building a wireless network for their Koszalin branch. After making necessary measurements, preparing a preliminary project and as a result of further discussions, SKK proposed a broader and more comprehensive solution. Presented by SKK the concept assumed the network unification in all branches of international concern, including, aside from the construction WLAN, reorganization and reconfiguration LAN. The network would be organized on new principles not only in industrial zones, but also in the office areas. Espersen’s response to the presented solution was highly favourable, so they began to execution of the task.

The implemented solution consist in network standardisation at all branches covered by the implementation. These are the centralized networks based on access points and the control devices (controllers). Each location operates independently, whereas the focal point with the management server is located in Koszalin. Network configuration and equipment are analogous everywhere. Such a solution facilitates network management and its servicing.

In addition the unification of office networks enhanced a communication and increased a productivity of employees moving within the delegations between the locations. After arrival at any branch an employee does not have to search for information about the access data to the network or to waste his time for configuration a new connection. The device configured once in one of the locations covered by the implementation will connect to the network at all branches automatically. Currently, a few hundreds of devices operate within the Espersen’s network worldwide, among others, laptops, phones, tablets, terminals, scanners.

Reliability and security above all else

The use of modern technologies was not a random choice. One of the priorities of the implementation was to project networks based on components ensuring its stable operation, safety and high performance. The fact that a few years from the first installation the client did not report any failure, confirms the validity of taken decision.

Noteworthy is the fact that some of the access points work in freezers and coolers, that is in temperatures adequately: up to -30 degrees C and -10 degrees C. For this function the SKK provided a dedicated devices. In turn, in other production areas the installation works required to take into account other factors. In view of the fact that Espersen takes care of the highest standards in the range of food quality – all production equipment in factories are washed once a day with special disinfectants. Hence the access points were equipped with waterproof casings designed and developed by SKK’s engineers.

Post-implementation care

After the completion of the implementation the SKK SA took care of the staff’s training in all locations and began a service care of installed network equipment. In addition, under a separate agreement, the Cracow company provides technical support services. With high probability we can say that the cooperation between the two companies will continue to grow up. Because the Espersen plans to incorporate its another plants to the described solution.