Interactive enhances Fletcher network with Cisco services

Interactive has partnered with Fletcher Building to provide network services, support, flexibility, and cost savings across Fletcher Building's operations.

The collaboration between Interactive and Fletcher Building began in 2010 when FletcherTech, a division of Fletcher Building, partnered with Interactive to manage its Cisco back-end network. Since then, FletcherTech has relied on Interactive's expertise in Cisco hardware maintenance and support.

Interactive's team comprises Cisco-trained and certified engineers who deliver the specialised skills necessary for maintaining seamless and reliable system performance. This partnership evolved over the years, and by 2016, Interactive had expanded its responsibility to supporting FletcherTech's Cisco service solutions across 400 sites in New Zealand.

Fletcher Building, established in 1909, is a significant player in the construction industry, employing 14,900 people and operating 30 businesses across Australia and New Zealand. The company is dual listed on the NZX and ASX, functioning through five key divisions: Building Products, Distribution, Concrete, Residential and Development, and Construction.

Interactive's network solutions have enabled Fletcher Building to benefit in several ways. The flexibility provided by Interactive allows each of Fletcher Building's business divisions to tailor solutions that cater specifically to their needs. For instance, the Distribution division can utilise connectivity solutions to enhance point-of-sale systems in a retail environment, such as hardware stores.

Additionally, FletcherTech has achieved operational streamlining and reduced complexity through this partnership. This consolidation has resulted in substantial financial benefits. A central billing platform offered by Interactive grants visibility into network usage and costs, facilitating smarter budgeting, quicker identification of inefficiencies, and more strategic decision-making in optimising resources.

Simon Durkin, Managing Director of Systems at Interactive, commented on the strategic benefits of the partnership. He emphasised, "The importance of consolidation, strong partnerships and seamless service in managed services provision cannot be overstated."