Comfort food such as that served at Boston Market restaurants takes on a new perspective — Spacenet Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. [Nasdaq: GILT] announced that it has signed a contract to provide an upgraded satellite and hybrid data network to over 500 Boston Market restaurant locations across the United States. The new network combines both common carrier and satellite technologies to ensure business continuity. Boston Market Corporation, based in Golden, Colorado is a fast-casual restaurant.
Boston Market is implementing an innovative hybrid VSAT and DSL/EV-DO/Cable network, with DSL/EV-DO/Cable being used for primary applications and VSAT being used for network backup and multicasting applications including software distribution. Satellite networks combined with wireline and wireless services provide cost-effective redundant communications and a diverse network path to protect against network downtime. Spacenet is upgrading Boston Market’s existing VSAT network to the industry-leading SkyEdge VSAT platform for faster speeds and advanced functionality.
The hybrid network supports improved performance for Boston Market’s web-based restaurant and back-office applications including supply distribution, payroll and HR software, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, catering, and business intelligence. The network also supports fast credit/debit card authorization, high-speed Internet access and POS polling.
In addition, Boston Market locations will be equipped with the Spacenet Prysm™ networking platform, which is PCI Data Security Standard Level 1 compliant. Prysm provides support for retail/restaurant applications, POS hardware interfaces, enhanced security and backup connectivity and can be used for a wide variety of other network management and application services such as firewalling/security, content delivery and VSAT network acceleration.
Boston Market will utilize Prysm for automatic switch over between the primary broadband and VSAT backup network, and for VPN capabilities to enable secure communications between Boston Market restaurants and corporate offices. “Our decision to upgrade the satellite network and implement a hybrid solution makes perfect business sense,” said Boston Market Director of Systems Operations Gregg Flannery. “It supports all of our communication requirements on a single platform and provides a reliable Wide Area Network for our restaurant applications. During the pilot phase, we experienced noticeable performance improvements with the back office web applications that support our catering services and business reporting. The new network solution will enable store managers to get their back-office work done more quickly so they can ultimately concentrate on running the restaurant and serving customers.”
“Boston Market is a leader in the restaurant industry, and we look forward to supporting their network requirements with this contract,” said Spacenet President and COO Glenn Katz. “The company is joining Spacenet’s growing customer base that is utilizing our satellite and hybrid wireline/wireless solutions, which provide ultra reliable networking and simplified network management. With its new and innovative networking solution, Boston Market will benefit from having enhanced services and improved operational efficiencies, helping it better serve customers at its restaurant locations.”
