Aspis S.A. Hellenic Juice Industry, one of Greece’s largest fruit processors with nearly 50 years of heritage, faced a critical communications challenge across their extensive operations. With processing facilities in both Argos and Irinoupoli, serving over 70 countries worldwide, the company struggled with fragmented communications between sites, production lines, and administrative offices. The lack of unified telecommunications infrastructure was impacting operational efficiency, particularly during peak harvest seasons when coordination between facilities was crucial for processing millions of tons of fresh produce.
Praxis Factor was commissioned to design and implement a comprehensive telecommunications solution that would transform Aspis’s disconnected communication systems into a unified, modern infrastructure. The project centered on installing state-of-the-art PBX systems and strategic antenna placements at their flagship Argos facility, creating seamless connectivity across the entire organization.
Project Objectives
The telecommunications modernization project for Aspis was designed to address critical operational challenges while positioning the company for continued international growth:
Unified Multi-Site Communications: Establish seamless voice connectivity between the Argos and Irinoupoli facilities, enabling staff to communicate instantly using internal extension numbers rather than costly external calls.
Production Line Coordination: Create robust communication channels between production areas, quality control laboratories, warehousing, and administrative offices to optimize the time-sensitive fruit processing operations.
International Trade Support: Enhance communications infrastructure to better serve Aspis’s global customer base across 70+ countries, supporting multi-language requirements and international conference capabilities.
Supply Chain Integration: Enable direct communication links with local farmers, suppliers, and logistics partners critical to Aspis’s sustainable agriculture initiatives and just-in-time processing requirements.
Cost Optimization: Eliminate inter-facility long-distance charges and reduce overall telecommunications expenses while improving service quality and reliability.
Our Approach
Praxis Factor deployed a comprehensive strategy leveraging four decades of telecommunications expertise to address the unique requirements of a major food processing operation.
Phase 1: Infrastructure Assessment and Planning Our team conducted detailed site surveys at the Argos facility, mapping the complex layout of processing plants, cold storage areas, administrative buildings, and outdoor loading zones. We analyzed communication patterns during peak processing periods, identifying critical communication paths between production supervisors, quality control teams, and logistics coordinators. Special attention was given to areas with high electromagnetic interference from industrial equipment.
Phase 2: Advanced PBX System Implementation We installed a cutting-edge IP-PBX system specifically configured for multi-site industrial operations. The system featured automatic failover capabilities essential for 24/7 production schedules, advanced call routing for emergency situations, and specialized queue management for customer service departments. The PBX configuration included specialized features for noisy production environments, including noise-canceling technology and visual call indicators.
Phase 3: Strategic Antenna Network Deployment Our antenna installation strategy addressed the unique challenges of the food processing environment. We implemented a distributed antenna system (DAS) with specialized industrial-grade components resistant to temperature variations and humidity levels common in fruit processing facilities. Antennas were strategically positioned to provide comprehensive coverage across the expansive Argos complex, including cold storage areas where traditional signals struggled to penetrate.
Phase 4: Inter-Facility Network Integration The critical innovation involved establishing a dedicated telecommunication link between Argos and Irinoupoli facilities. Using advanced VoIP technology and secure data tunneling, we created a virtual unified communication network. Staff at either location could now reach colleagues at the other facility by simply dialing a four-digit extension, as if they were in the same building.
Impactful Outcomes
The transformation delivered by Praxis Factor revolutionized Aspis’s operational capabilities and delivered measurable improvements across multiple business dimensions.
Operational Excellence Achieved:
- Instant inter-facility communication using internal extension numbers, creating immediate connectivity between different points of the group
- Dramatically reduced communication response times during critical harvest periods
- Complete coverage achieved across all production areas, warehouses, and administrative spaces
- Elimination of communication dead zones in previously problematic cold storage and production areas
Financial Performance Benefits:
- Substantial annual savings from eliminated inter-facility call charges
- Significant reduction in overall telecommunications costs through VoIP optimization
- Rapid return on investment that exceeded initial projections
- Reduced production coordination delays, translating to improved processing efficiency
Production Efficiency Gains:
- Seamless coordination between facilities during peak harvest seasons, ensuring optimal resource allocation
- Improved quality control response times through instant communication between labs and production lines
- Real-time voice communication between production managers across both facilities
- Enhanced operational flexibility through reliable mobile coverage throughout the facilities
International Business Support:
- Multi-party international conference capabilities supporting global customer relationships
- Round-the-clock communication reliability essential for serving customers across multiple time zones
- Significantly improved response times to international inquiries
- Enhanced support for sustainable agriculture initiatives through better farmer-processor communication
Key Takeaways
The Aspis project demonstrates crucial lessons for multi-site manufacturing and processing operations seeking telecommunications modernization:
Internal Extension Dialing Transforms Multi-Site Operations: The ability for employees to communicate across facilities using simple internal extensions created immediate connectivity between different points of the group, fostering a unified organizational culture and dramatically improving operational coordination. This transformation has fundamentally changed how Aspis operates across its facilities.
Industrial Environments Require Specialized Solutions: Standard telecommunications equipment often fails in food processing environments. Praxis Factor’s selection of industrial-grade components ensured reliable communications despite challenging conditions including temperature extremes, humidity, and electromagnetic interference.
Antenna Placement is Critical in Complex Facilities: Strategic antenna deployment overcame the signal propagation challenges posed by metal structures, cold storage insulation, and processing equipment, ensuring consistent coverage throughout the facility.
Immediate Communication Benefits Without Complex Integration: The new PBX system delivered immediate operational improvements through enhanced voice communication capabilities, proving that significant efficiency gains can be achieved through well-designed telecommunications infrastructure alone.
Scalability Ensures Future-Readiness: The implemented solution can easily accommodate Aspis’s continued growth, supporting additional production lines, new facilities, or expanded international operations without major infrastructure changes.
Contact Us
For more information on how Praxis Factor can help your organization achieve similar telecommunications transformation results, please contact us. With over 40 years of experience in telecommunications and network infrastructure, our ISO-certified team specializes in complex multi-site installations for industrial and manufacturing operations.
Whether you’re managing multiple production facilities, struggling with inter-site communication costs, or need to modernize aging telecommunications infrastructure, Praxis Factor has the expertise to engineer solutions that drive operational excellence. Our proven track record with industry leaders like Aspis demonstrates our ability to deliver transformative results in even the most challenging environments.
Ready to unite your operations through advanced telecommunications? Contact Praxis Factor today for a comprehensive consultation and discover how our 40+ years of expertise can revolutionize your business communications.
