Clients in the News
Written for: Industry Retail Group, Inc.
Robeks Corporation Selects IRG to Provide Managed Network Services
WILMINGTON, DE – September 16, 2008 – Industry Retail Group Inc., (www.industryretail.com), a specialized provider of broadband-enabled network services to the retail and quick-service markets, announced recently it was selected by Robeks Corporation to provide Managed Network Services for all of their franchisees.
Robeks Corporation, (www.robeks.com) a premium fruit smoothie and healthy eats national franchisor, offers fresh, premium, made-to-order, unique combinations of healthy ingredients; flavorful throughout. Robeks opens stores at a rapid rate, and projects 500 locations within the next few years.
Before implementing its new POS system, Robeks realized the importance of choosing a single company to manage the broadband initiative. Prior to selecting Industry Retail Group (IRG), each store was faced with managing its own broadband service. In keeping with its reputation of offering streamlined operational support to its franchisees, Robeks turned to IRG for a solution.
IRG began by providing a dedicated Project Management team to handle all aspects of the network implementation. IRG designed a network that allows all current and future stores to leverage broadband to access their corporate resources; moreover, the IRG solution frees Robeks IT staff to concentrate on their specific job functions without concern over supporting the nationwide WAN. Moving forward, all new Robeks store openings will be coordinated through a dedicated IRG Project Management team. Robeks now manages the support of dynamic signage and POS over a single broadband connection through IRG|TruManage software and the 24/7 U.S. Based Network Operations Center of IRG.
Pete Carvajal, Director of Information Systems of Robeks Corporation, stated, “Robeks prides itself on providing the highest quality product in our industry. As a major support component to our franchisees, our IT Department feels the same way when selecting vendors. We view the organizations we do business with as partners, knowing that they represent our company in many different areas of our business. IRG is responsible for dealing directly with the franchisee, setting up the broadband and VPN installation and service for most locations, and on-going proactive management of the network.
The reality of working in an era of shrinking budgets and high expectations requires that our vendor partners provide the same level of service as we would expect of our internal staff. We have found that IRG takes this commitment seriously and we look forward to continue our growth to 500 locations in partnership with IRG.”
“IRG is an organization that is focused on the needs of the retail vertical market,” said Mike Luzio, CEO of IRG. “Our job is to ensure companies like Robeks are given the tools they need to help them succeed in their industry. Whether that is ensuring always-on POS connectivity, dynamic signage, 24x7 device monitoring, managed Wi-Fi, or IP-based security camera systems, we will continue to grow our product portfolio to suit the needs of our retailers. Robeks is premier name in the industry and we are ecstatic to have them as a partner.”
About Industry Retail Group
IRG is a premier provider of broadband-enabled network services, serving retailers and multi-site companies worldwide. IRG partners with its clients to serve as a single, comprehensive source for all network-related services and solutions, offering proactive, dedicated support. IRG has a growing client base including Fortune 1000 retailers with locations worldwide.
IRG also provides value-added services, which include IRG|WiFi, IRG|VoIP, and IRG|SecurView. These bottom-line impacting services allow clients to further leverage their WAN investment.
About Robeks Corporation
Since opening the first Robeks Juice store in 1996, the Company has always been passionate about promoting the importance of good nutrition and its essential role in helping people maintain active and healthy lifestyles. Robeks’ goal is to make eating a healthy meal both quick and easy by offering a great-tasting selection of premium quality, made-to-order fruit smoothies and squeezed-fresh fruit/vegetable juices, healthy snacks, as well as wholesome sandwiches/wraps, salads and frozen yogurt.
Currently, Robeks serves more than nine million satisfied customers annually at nearly 165 franchise locations in over 30 U.S. metropolitan areas. Robeks was named number 16 on Restaurant Business Magazine’s 2007 list, “The Future 50” fastest-growing chains; number 34 on Franchise Market Magazine’s 2007 list of “100 Top New Franchises”; and in 2006, was ranked as one of the Top Ten New Franchises, according to Entrepreneur® Magazine.