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Focus Group

Brighton & Hove Albion

Focus Group help Brighton & Hove Albion win off and on the pitch.

About Brighton & Hove Albion

Focus Group is a long-time partner and supporter of Brighton & Hove Albion, as its premier supplier of innovative telecoms, connectivity, and IT solutions. Brighton & Hove Albion has evolved enormously over the years, climbing from Division Three whilst playing at the 8,850 capacity Withdean Stadium to the Premier League and a move to the state-of-the-art American Express Stadium. Focus Group have been delivering match-winning technology to support the club’s exponential growth over the last 20 years.

Brighton and Hove Albion sponsor logo

The Challenge

Brighton & Hove Albion, with the continued growth of the club and its legion of supporters, were facing a situation where during a match day its mobile and Wi-Fi networks became overwhelmed. The club’s broadband connection and network infrastructure couldn’t cope with the density and volume of users and the accompanying pressure on the network traffic, causing communication challenges for club staff and its fans.

Furthermore, as a high-profile premiership football club, Brighton & Hove Albion wanted to strengthen their cyber security. And when COVID emerged, staff had to work from home and the current legacy telephone system could not support the agile working needs of the staff.

Focus Group, as a leading supplier of essential business technology were in a position to review and support Brighton & Hove Albion across the board. Focus Group continued providing cost-effective IT Support to Brighton & Hove Albion’s ever-growing organisation, together with providing a solution to manage the mobile devices and contracts for over 400 staff.

Once Focus Group, understood all the needs for the club, an extensive analysis of its current set up was conducted and detailed solutions were delivered.

Brighton Hove Albion The Challenge

The Solution

American Express Stadium sign inside player tunnel

Following a thorough evaluation of the specific requirements of the football club across its IT, connectivity, telecoms and mobile systems, Focus Group implemented a raft of innovative and future-proof solutions. A state-of-the art Aruba network solution now delivers a reliable and secure network infrastructure.

A high capacity public and corporate Wi-Fi solution has been implemented, providing the capability to support 15,000 concurrent connections with the use of a 10Gig internet connection, with 1Gig backup circuit and high-performance SonicWALL firewall for the club’s American Express Stadium in Brighton.

Alongside improving the club’s internet connection, network infrastructure and security, the mobile specialists at Focus Group implemented a cost-effective and fully managed mobile phone package.

A Microsoft teams-based telephone system has been implemented helping the club and its staff maximize performance and support remote working through the COVID 19 lockdown periods. An extensive cyber security awareness testing and training program was delivered to all staff.

The Results

Brighton & Hove Albion now have a high-performance internet network that allows staff and stadium visitors to stay connected, even with a packed stadium. The suite of complementary solutions and services provided have given the club a reliable, secure, future proof platform that can help them thrive in the Premier League.

The Focus Group 24-7 support team remain at Brighton & Hove Albion’s side at all times, committed to ensuring the club runs like clockwork – keeping its IT optimised, its team connected at all times, its supporters happy and above all, match ready!

"Focus have successfully reformed our Wi-Fi connectivity which has made a real difference to our staff, players and fans and also provide the club with excellent telecommunications support. The team at Focus are knowledgeable and are always on hand to promptly assist with any problems or queries."

Russell Wood, Head of Commercial

*Photography by Paul Hazelwood, Brighton & Hove Albion

American Express Stadium sign on the front of building

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