Intellect IT delivers improved internet usage management and controls costs for QLS Group with SonicWALL solution. Controlling the internet across multiple interstate offices to reduce usage has proved a big success for QLS Group.

QLS Group is an Australian logistics company specialising in the warehousing and distribution of white and brown goods.

QLS Group was formed in 2001 with the merger of Queensland Logistics Services and DGR Warehousing and Distribution and the company has enjoyed a rapid expansion of both its client base and logistics services. QLS Group now has offices located in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth and has cross-docking arrangements through Adelaide, Darwin, Townsville and Hobart. The company has more than 90 full-time employees across all four sites.

Challenge

The internet is a critical business tool for QLS Group. As a logistics company, a vital component of QLS Group’s business relies on coordinating the timely distribution of goods from their warehouses to locations across Australia.
The internet is the main channel for daily communication between QLS Group offices and warehouses in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth. Staff in each office email distribution requests, logistics reports and remotely print delivery requests in interstate warehouses. QLS Group also offers a variety of internet based services to clients including the ability to retrieve electronic proof of delivery, job statuses and key performance reports.

“We are heavily reliant on the internet to run our business. However we were facing a problem because we were regular exceeding our internet download limit each month between the three east coast offices,” said Renato Costabile, Commercial Manager Victoria, QLS Group.

“We weren’t able to pinpoint the reasons for exceeding this download quota and didn’t have visibility into the usage levels for each office. We suspected that part of this excessive internet usage was due to non-work related activities but couldn’t establish this. In theory, we had a generous internet allowance that should have been more than sufficient, but in practice we were paying hundreds of dollars each month in additional downloads,” Costabile said.

QLS Group needed a way to streamline and manage its internet usage while eliminating the possibility of downtime for this business critical technology.

Solution

QLS Group knew they needed an internet management solution to gain visibility and take control of their internet usage and worked with their trusted IT partner Intellect IT.

“By reviewing the activity on their internet account, we knew we could help QLS to better manage their usage and ultimately save money every month,” said Roy Solterbeck, Director, Intellect IT.

Intellect IT recommended SonicWALL Unified Threat Management as the best solution to address their needs.

“A key feature of the SonicWALL solution enabled QLS Group to proactively control the internet at work to reduce issues. The technology gave the ability to regulate the internet to ensure safe access for a professional environment by easily blocking inappropriate websites including pornography and gambling websites which in turn significantly reduced internet downloads,” said Solterbeck.

“At first we were a little apprehensive about the initial cost, but Intellect IT really understood the solution and were able to clearly explain the upfront costs and resulting business benefits,” said Costabile.

Installing the SonicWALL solution also allowed for two, active internet links between the offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. This minimised the threat of internet downtime to the business by ensuring one internet link would always be working between the offices.

Result

Intellect IT was able to recommend and implement a reliable, high-performance security solution for internet traffic, while minimising burden on resources.

“The proof really is in the pudding,” said Costabile. “Within the first month of having the SonicWALL solution rollout by Intellect IT across our offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane our internet usage dropped by 85 per cent from 20GB to just 3GB per month!

“We are now consistently below our internet download limit each month and anticipate recouping the initial technology cost within 12 – 24 months. In time, we can look to reduce our internet limit and save even more.

“We have gone from having very little visibility into the way we were using the internet, to now receiving weekly reports that clearly monitor when and where our internet resources are being used across our different state offices,” continued Costabile.

“As well as increased employee productivity by inappropriate websites being blocked, we enjoy an increased level of security for our internet network. Knowing we have the dual internet connection also gives peace of mind by ensuring we are able to deliver our core business to customers without worrying about potential shipment delays as a result of internet downtime. We have been extremely pleased with fast results and are already receiving tangible business benefits,” said Costabile.

About Intellect IT

Founded in 1998, Intellect Information Technology is a customer-oriented IT integration and support company. Intellect IT is a SonicWALL partner and offers a range of IT design, implementation and support services including network design, systems integration, voice and data communications, disaster recovery, business continuity and preventative maintenance and reactive support.