Case studies

The Issue
A burger franchisee approached Astaris to implement a professional guest Wi-Fi solution. They weren’t just looking for connectivity; they needed a way to transform their Wi-Fi from a basic utility into a powerful marketing tool. Their goal was to provide high-quality coverage for customers while simultaneously capturing valuable demographic data to better understand their local audience and drive repeat business.

The Resolution
Astaris deployed a specialised Social Wi-Fi solution throughout the chain of restaurants. This system allows guests to access high-speed internet by signing in via their social media profiles. This setup provides the venue with real-time data on customer habits and demographics, all while ensuring the network remains secure and separate from the restaurant’s critical internal systems and Point of Sale (POS) hardware.

The Result
The restaurants now boast seamless, high-performance Wi-Fi that enhances the customer experience. By capturing real-time data through social logins, the franchisee can now tailor their marketing and advertising with precision based on actual customer behavior. This data-driven approach has turned a standard guest service into a high-value asset that supports both operational excellence and long-term brand growth.

The Issue
Following a successful full-stack IT and telephony installation at their previous venue, the client approached Astaris to replicate that success at a new 7,250 square foot premises. The scale of the new site required a comprehensive infrastructure plan from the ground up, as the business needed a system capable of handling high-volume Point of Sale (POS) transactions, administrative tasks, and digital marketing without the risk of failure during peak hours.

The Resolution
Astaris took full ownership of the project, from specifying the necessary hardware to planning the optimal layout for maximum coverage and efficiency. We managed the end-to-end installation of all computers, printers, and VoIP telephone systems, alongside a robust enterprise-grade WiFi network. To support their digital presence, we also designed and built a high-performance website capable of handling substantial traffic.

The Result
The venue now operates on a rock-solid network that stays reliable even during their busiest shifts, ensuring that payments and guest services are never interrupted. The website we developed has become a powerful marketing tool, consistently attracting 30,000 visitors per month. By providing a unified IT and web solution, we have given the management team the reliable foundation they need to run a high-traffic, modern bar successfully.

The Issue
During a complete refurbishment of this historic London pub, the management team required a comprehensive new wireless network. However, they encountered a significant “dead zone” in the new manager’s office, where the WiFi signal was almost non-existent. Our investigation revealed that the thick, period walls—likely containing remnants of original lead paint—were creating a physical shield that blocked the signal from the nearest wireless access point.

The Resolution
To bypass the interference caused by the building’s historic fabric, Astaris moved away from a purely wireless approach for this specific area. We installed dedicated data cabling directly into the manager’s office, providing a hardwired connection that ignored the lead-paint interference entirely. We also supplied a professional docking station, allowing the manager to “plug and play” his laptop for an instant, high-speed link to the network.

The Result
By combining a site-wide wireless rollout with a strategic hardwired fix for the office, the connectivity issues were completely resolved. The manager now enjoys a rock-solid connection and a streamlined workspace, free from the frustrations of signal drops. The pub now has a modern, reliable infrastructure that respects the challenges of a historic building while delivering 21st-century performance.

The Issue
We were contacted by a popular restaurant that was struggling with frequent internet dropouts and total network failures. Upon investigation, our engineers discovered the network hardware was located directly in the kitchen, where it was constantly exposed to grease and high temperatures. Compounding the problem, the router was installed behind the pizza oven; this not only subjected the kit to extreme heat but meant the oven had to cool down for hours before staff could even reach the equipment to attempt a reboot.

The Resolution
Astaris implemented a complete hardware overhaul, replacing the compromised domestic gear with robust, business-grade kit. We bypassed the environmental hazards by relocating the entire network infrastructure to a clean, ventilated area away from the kitchen’s heat, dust, and grease. This new configuration ensured that all critical components remained accessible and protected from the harsh conditions of a busy commercial kitchen.

The Result
The restaurant’s connectivity has worked perfectly ever since, with the previous cycle of “heat-induced” failures completely eliminated. By moving the brains of the business away from the oven, the team can now process orders and payments without interruption. They no longer have to worry about downtime or the logistical nightmare of waiting for equipment to cool down, allowing them to focus entirely on their service.

The Issue
A charity dedicated to supporting abuse survivors was being severely hindered by slow, outdated IT systems. Frequent downtime and technical failures weren’t just a frustration; they were causing critical funding to be wasted on “fixing” old problems rather than supporting survivors. Their legacy infrastructure lacked the security and flexibility required for sensitive remote work, effectively limiting the reach of their vital services.

The Resolution
Astaris upgraded the charity to our Proactive IT Support package, providing a complete overhaul of their digital environment. We implemented a secure, modern networking foundation, high-speed connectivity, and a professional VoIP telephone system. Because we are proud to support the life-changing work they do, Astaris provided all engineering time and consultancy for this project free of charge.

The Result
The charity now operates on a reliable, high-performance IT system that has virtually eliminated downtime. By moving to a modern infrastructure, they have benefited from significantly reduced operational costs and enhanced data security. With the new VoIP and remote-access functionality, their team can now work effectively from any location, ensuring they can provide uninterrupted support to those who need it most.

The Issue
Donostia, a gourmet tapas restaurant in London, was plagued by constant internet dropouts that had become business-critical. Their existing network was built on aging, undocumented hardware with untidy, unlabelled cabling. This “spaghetti” wiring made it nearly impossible to diagnose faults quickly, leaving the restaurant vulnerable to extended periods of downtime during busy service hours.

The Resolution
Astaris performed a complete network overhaul, starting with a high-speed SOGEA internet connection and a new Cisco switch for optimum performance. We installed business-grade wireless access points to ensure a strong, consistent signal throughout the venue. Finally, we stripped back and labelled all cabling, documented the entire system for seamless remote support, and housed the new hardware in a dedicated data cabinet to protect it from the kitchen’s dust and moisture.

The Result
Since the upgrade, our monitoring shows constant and consistent uptime; technical downtime is now a thing of the past. With an organised, professional infrastructure in place, the Donostia team can focus on delivering a high-end dining experience without the stress of failing systems. The restaurant now has a reliable, future-proof foundation that is easy to manage and support.

The Challenge
Following a successful history of collaboration at other venues, the manager at Tide Beach Club approached Astaris to solve a complex connectivity issue. The venue required high-performance WiFi that could penetrate a “cavernous” indoor layout with dense, unusual wall structures, while simultaneously extending a reliable signal across a large outdoor beach terrace. Without consistent coverage, the club faced the risk of dropped connections and failed transactions in key service areas.

The Resolution
Astaris deployed a tailored Ubiquiti UniFi solution designed for high-density environments. We installed UniFi Long Range access points indoors to punch through the challenging architecture, ensuring total internal coverage. For the exterior, we utilised specialised outdoor UniFi units positioned to project a powerful, seamless signal from the building’s entrance right across the entire beach terrace.

The Result
By using purpose-built, business-grade hardware, Tide Beach Club now enjoys “always-on” connectivity both inside and out. Staff can process payments via handheld POS systems and tablets anywhere on the premises without the risk of connection dropouts. This robust infrastructure has eliminated technical friction, allowing the team to focus on fast, efficient service in a demanding coastal environment.

The Challenge
As a rapidly expanding not-for-profit leisure trust with over 130 UK sites, Freedom Leisure struggled to manage a fragmented national network. Much of their infrastructure consisted of aging, inherited hardware, resulting in unreliable internet and WiFi. These frequent outages disrupted essential booking and payment systems, leading to customer complaints and direct revenue loss across their estates.

The Resolution
After being awarded the contract, Astaris implemented a phased rollout over three months. To ensure a seamless transition, we provisioned and configured Cisco Meraki hardware in-house before our engineers deployed it across the country. Every site was rigorously tested to guarantee full network visibility and performance that met our high-level benchmarks.

The Result
The persistent connectivity issues that once plagued the centres have been eliminated. By replacing outdated kit with a robust, cloud-managed solution, Freedom Leisure no longer faces costly downtime. Staff can now work efficiently without the frustration of failing systems, allowing the trust to focus on their community mission rather than IT troubleshooting.

The Issue
A large UK-based health and social care charity, operating across approximately 130 sites nationally, required a total overhaul of their ageing telephony infrastructure. Operating in a high-stakes environment, it was imperative that every centre had a fail-safe, professional phone system to ensure the safety and security of charity workers. With a fragmented estate and unreliable legacy lines, the charity needed a unified, robust solution that could provide consistent communication across the entire country.

The Resolution
After winning the competitive tender, Astaris managed the large-scale transition to a cloud-based VoIP system. We handled the end-to-end procurement of all hardware, custom-configuring every handset in-house to ensure a “plug-and-play” experience for the charity’s staff. To guarantee a seamless rollout across the diverse estate, our engineers conducted national site visits to manage complex deployments in person, ensuring every connection was optimized for maximum reliability and security.

The Result
The charity now benefits from a unified, enterprise-grade communication network that spans their entire UK operation. By moving to a modern VoIP platform, they have secured a reliable lifeline for their frontline workers, significantly enhancing staff safety at every centre. The new system provides the high-level functionality and stability required for sensitive social care work, all while offering the cost-effective scalability needed for a major non-profit organization.

The Issue
Managing over 130 leisure and culture venues across England and Wales, this £140m per year business faced a massive commercial and operational challenge: the mandatory national transition from copper to fibre. With a vast, geographically dispersed estate, the trust needed more than just a supplier; they required a business partner capable of managing a high-stakes migration without disrupting vital community services or compromising their rigorous commercial accountability.

The Resolution
Astaris was selected as the strategic partner due to our proven project management talent and robust back-office processes. We spearheaded a comprehensive transition programme, successfully migrating almost the entire 130-site estate to high-speed fibre. Beyond the connectivity upgrade, we implemented a unified VoIP telephone solution across all locations. Our team provided the technical depth needed to navigate site-specific challenges while maintaining the high-level coordination required for a project of this scale.

The Result
To date, the transition is near completion, with all but a couple of sites fully operational on the new infrastructure. This programme has delivered a significant opex saving for the business, streamlining their communication costs while providing a far more resilient and capable network. By aligning our technical expertise with their commercial goals, we have transformed a mandatory infrastructure change into a high-value upgrade that protects their bottom line.