Member Article

Five figure hotel contract win for Gateshead IT firm

Advantex Network Solutions Ltd, a Gateshead-based IT firm, has won a new contract to supply superfast broadband services to a Newcastle hotel.

The five figure contract saw Advantex completing the work at The Sandman Signature Hotel in Gallowgate from initial enquiry to final installation in 10 days.

The installation of new internet services throughout the 170 bedroom hotel complex, which usually takes anywhere up to five months to complete, will deliver faster connectivity for guests.

It will also improve the existing offering as demand for WiFi usage grows.

The work was carried out as part of the Government funded Broadband Connection Vouchers scheme with assistance from Newcastle Councils Go Digital team.

This initiative has seen the Government set aside £150 million to enable businesses like The Sandman to apply for up to £3k to pay for super-fast broadband connection and associated hardware such as wireless and internet security.

The Sandman Hotel is the latest success for Advantex, which as a registered supplier of the vouchers, has helped around 50 businesses on Tyneside to install superfast broadband.

Mitch Gaglardi, managing director of Northland Properties Corporation, which operates the Sandman Hotels brand in the UK, said people using his complex will benefit from high quality access to faster services using the latest in secure networks.

“As a quality brand operator, we have to be able to provide our guests with the very best in fast, secure and reliable internet and email services.

“Advantex, who impressed from start to finish with their expertise, cost effective solution and experience on similar projects, moved quickly to deliver an improved service in record breaking time.”

The firm will boost current turnover of £4m by 20% this year and expand its current workforce of 45 people as work continues to ramp-up in the coming months.

Director Stephen O’Connell, who is looking at supporting possible internet upgrades at other Sandman Hotel sites in the UK, said: “As supplier of connection vouchers we are helping companies like Sandman Hotel Group improve their brand offering through the provision of quality advice and services.

“It’s a further example of helping our customers to benefit from the voucher funding - from the initial application to the final installation - with expert advice and competitive solutions.”

The UK already does more business online than any other European country, and the improved access to superfast broadband offered by Broadband Connection Vouchers is being seen as a huge potential boost to the local economy.

However, Stephen O’Connell is still urging more people to take advantage and not miss out on thousands of pounds of free funding.

“More companies need to register and take advantage of an initiative that can help them to improve competitiveness and boost growth. After all, which business wouldn’t want the opportunity to tap into a no-obligation funding package?”

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