Despite changing pandemic restrictions and a demanding schedule, Qcom installed high-tech photographic equipment on time in nearly 500 stores in every corner of the UK and Ireland.

At a Glance

• Photographic printing equipment installed in 476 stores from Lerwick to Penzance
• End-to-end service from inventory and site surveys to installation and training
• Each installation individually surveyed, scheduled and implemented
• On time delivery across two project phases
• Ongoing maintenance and swap-out support

The Need

Our client CEWE is Europe’s largest photo company, supplying award-winning technology to retail partners in 26 European countries.

The company was commissioned by a leading High Street pharmacy to replace the self-service photography printing equipment in its large retail estate throughout the UK and Ireland.

As part of this, Qcom was appointed to implement a major roll-out of equipment to 476 stores.

The Challenge

As well carrying out in-store installation, Qcom was required to manage the inventory and onward distribution of equipment to meet the engineering schedule.

The stores were located in every corner of the UK and Ireland, from Lerwick in the Shetlands to Penzance in Cornwall. Stores differed greatly in physical size and layout, plus in practical arrangements for parking, access and opening hours.

To compound these challenges, pandemic restrictions were highly localised throughout the project schedule, not just by nation but by region.

The Solution

The project was scheduled in two phases. A single unit would be installed at each of 176 stores during July, with a second tranche of 300 stores receiving either one or two units during October and November.

A site survey was carried out at each store a month before installation. This allowed engineers to plan each installation individually as well as identify any problems relating to parking, access, layout or connectivity.

The equipment was received in bulk at Qcom’s centrally-located Technical Resource Centre, and then distributed to stores in line with the engineering schedule.

On installation date at each store, existing equipment was decommissioned and removed, and one or two new units were installed as required.

Kiosks, screens and chip & PIN payment units were then configured by the engineer, and test prints carried out. Staff at each site were provided with basic operator training.

The Results

Qcom provided an efficient and effective technology roll-out service which delivered a demanding installation programme in difficult circumstances.

By integrating everything from inventory and site surveys through to installations and operator training, we were able to make sure that each part of a major nationwide rollout was treated as an individual project, planned and executed to take full account of local requirements and challenges.

Qcom has continued to support the equipment after installation with ongoing maintenance and swap-out arrangements.