Focus Group, a Cisco 360 Partner based in Shoreham-by-Sea, will redesign connectivity, security and operations across more than 1,700 Mitchells & Butlers sites and roughly 6,000 staff. The programme covers Wi-Fi 7, SD-WAN, upgraded LAN infrastructure, Secure Service Edge (SSE) and a roadmap to a full zero-trust security architecture. Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365 managed backup and recovery, and a Mitel Contact Centre are also integrated under Focus Group's management.
The selection of Focus Group as single delivery partner was the outcome of an 18-month tender. The winning bid was built around an automation-first deployment framework: by automating provisioning and migration tasks, Focus Group says it freed up budget that was then reinvested to extend the project's original scope, covering more sites, users and capabilities than M&B had initially specified.
Andrew Benson, Director for Business Change & Technology at Mitchells & Butlers, said: "By embracing next-generation Cisco technologies and leading with Focus Group's automation-first approach, we're building a network that will not only be secure and resilient, but ready to grow with us. The unified, cloud-first approach is simplifying how we operate, unlocking cost efficiencies, and most importantly, empowering our teams to deliver consistent and outstanding experiences to our guests. It's a bold step toward future proofing our business and staying ahead in a fast-moving digital world."
Neil Hall, CEO of Focus Group, said: "By bringing together the best of Cisco technology with our expertise in automation, cloud and security, we're not just delivering a network. We're building a digital foundation that will empower M&B's brands, teams and customers for years to come."
Ben Jones, Commercial Director for UK and Ireland at Cisco, described the investment as "an exciting next stage" in a relationship that will "deliver a secure, resilient, and scalable network that empowers their teams and enhances guest experiences across 1,700 locations."
Mitchells & Butlers operates 18 branded hospitality concepts including Toby Carvery, All Bar One and Harvester across the UK.
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