Mademoiselle Desserts – Managed Hardware Upgrade in Taunton
Mademoiselle Desserts is a leading UK dessert manufacturer supplying premium baked goods to retailers, foodservice partners, and hospitality brands. With production lines that rely heavily on stable, secure, and responsive IT infrastructure, any disruption to connectivity can impact operations, quality control, and overall output. Their Taunton site required a modernised, resilient network foundation to support ongoing growth and strengthen cybersecurity across the facility.
Challenges
The Taunton site was operating on ageing switching hardware that had begun to affect network reliability. Unstable connectivity created delays across operational systems, and years of incremental changes had led to an overcrowded, disorganised cabinet. This made troubleshooting slow and complicated.
Cabling had become untidy over time, and inconsistent firmware management meant devices were not receiving important security updates. Together, these issues created a higher risk of downtime and weakened the site’s cybersecurity posture.
Solution
Ashby Computers delivered a full managed hardware upgrade for the Taunton facility, replacing outdated switching equipment with modern, fully managed infrastructure designed for long-term stability and security.
The new platform provides:
- Improved performance and increased network resilience
- Centralised, automated firmware management
- Enhanced cybersecurity through consistent updates
- A scalable foundation for future expansion
The hardware chosen supports current operational demands while allowing the site to grow without further structural changes.
Implementation / Process
To avoid production impact, all work was carried out during scheduled downtime and low-usage periods. A structured approach ensured smooth transitions between old and new hardware:
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- Pre configuration and planning – All switches, VLANs and management policies were prepared off-site to minimise onsite interruption.
- Cabinet reorganisation – Existing cabling was removed, re-dressed and neatly routed to provide a clean, clearly labelled environment for future maintenance.
- Staged migration – Equipment was swapped out section by section, with live connectivity testing after each stage to confirm stability.
- Security uplift – Devices were enrolled into a managed update platform to ensure firmware stays current, reducing vulnerability exposure.
The process ensured the site remained operational throughout with no disruption to production systems.
Results/Benefits
The Taunton site now benefits from a significantly more reliable, secure, and maintainable network. Key outcomes include:
- Noticeably faster and more stable network performance
- Automated firmware updates to maintain strong cybersecurity
- A tidy, structured cabinet that simplifies future upgrades and diagnostics
- Reduced likelihood of outages caused by ageing or unmanaged equipment
- A scalable network design that supports ongoing business growth
The upgraded environment provides a stable, modern platform that supports the business rather than hindering it.
Key Takeaways
- Upgrading legacy network hardware strengthens both reliability and cybersecurity.
- Working outside of production hours ensures business continuity with minimal downtime.
- Managed switching simplifies ongoing administration and significantly reduces risk.
- A clean, well-organised cabinet setup improves long-term maintainability.
- Investing in modern infrastructure gives sites the stability and scalability needed for future expansion.
For more information about our services, please call us today on 01604 790979