Reliable network keeps Kjell & Company connected to customers

A great network solution requires as little mental bandwidth as possible from those who use or manage it. Staff working in business systems or processing customer payments shouldn't think about connectivity any more than they think about running water. And the people managing the technical infrastructure should have access to smart tools and services – ideally managed by a provider – that make their job simple enough to focus their energy on enabling digitalization that adds real value to the core business.

Connectivity is also essential for digital customer interactions. In retail, this is often a priority, with online revenue frequently growing faster than in physical stores. But the web isn't just a sales channel – it's where customers go for information. Many do their research online, browsing inventory, checking stock levels and prices before visiting a store.

Security is another priority. Kjell & Company approaches IT security in multiple layers – through technology, processes, and strategy – to ensure fast and stable data communication remains secure.

We've built a unique omnichannel model and are constantly exploring new ways to create a smooth, channel-independent customer experience. For example, anything you can do in-store should also be possible online.

Stefan Olsson, Head of Digital Development at Kjell & Company

Kjell & Company was founded in 1988 by the three Dahnelius brothers and their father Kjell with the goal of improving people's lives through technology. Since then, the small family business has grown to over 140 physical stores and an e-commerce site at Kjell.com.

Stable connectivity supports the customer experience

Much of the current business development focuses on blending physical and digital customer interactions. The goal is a consistent customer experience whether someone walks into a mall store or visits Kjell.com. And to avoid any jarring transitions between physical and digital, a stable network is essential.

Stefan explains that team members have been trained to independently analyze and resolve most issues affecting site performance without racking up external consulting hours. They need to quickly spot when the site isn't performing as expected and address most problems that arise. But an equally important part of the solution is having experts – with access to knowledge from a global security ecosystem – just a phone call away.

Smart technology for better workflows

Stefan has worked at Kjell & Company for 20 years, loves technology, and enjoys being a creative problem solver. He explains that the company doesn't aim to always be first with digital innovation, but rather to act with a long-term perspective. They strive to create better workflows that benefit customers and make work easier and more enjoyable for employees.

We're a company founded on a love of technology, and we need to practice what we preach, Stefan says. The digital development team has created an integration where a remote-controlled switch connects to the "click and collect" service. Previously, when a customer placed an order online for in-store pickup, staff received a notification via store email. With the new solution, a connected lamp starts flashing in the relevant store, alerting staff that there's an order to process. This ensures every order is ready for pickup within fifteen minutes of being placed.

The remote switch can connect to any lamp, like a disco ball. I think it's a fun example of a solution that creates tangible customer value, Stefan says.

Optimizing existing infrastructure

Kjell & Company has chosen umbrella services for security and network optimization that let them get the most out of their existing infrastructure. The services work together to provide layered protection: a Web Application Firewall that blocks unauthorized traffic and secures the site, and DDoS protection on the connection that prevents overload attacks. They also use a Content Delivery Network (CDN) service that both protects and accelerates site content by storing static images on servers closer to the customer. Together, these services make the web faster and more secure, improving the customer experience.

Telia's solution includes:

• Telia CDN and Edge Security

• Telia DDoS Protection

• Web Application Firewall