Manage several venues by giving every site the same standard build: the same connectivity with automatic failover, the same WiFi and network layout, the same separate networks for tills, CCTV and door entry, and the same managed devices. Manage it all centrally, so head office can see every site, changes roll out once, and most faults are fixed remotely. New and temporary sites then go live quickly, on a known design.
Why multi-site IT goes wrong
Most multi-site operators grow one venue at a time. Each site gets whatever the local supplier installed at the time, so after a few years there are different routers, WiFi, passwords, phone contracts and CCTV setups at every location. Nobody has a complete list of what's where. Every fault needs someone on site, and head office can't see which sites are at risk.
What a standard site build includes
| Layer | Standard |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Full fibre or leased line, with 4G/5G failover |
| Network | The same firewall, switches and separate networks at every site |
| WiFi | The same access points and settings, managed from one controller |
| Payments | Tills and terminals on their own protected network |
| Security systems | CCTV, door entry and access control on their own network |
| Devices | Laptops, tablets and phones managed centrally |
| Phones | One cloud phone system across all sites, with site-specific call routing |
| Documentation | Every site's equipment, lines and passwords recorded in one place |
CCTV, door entry and access control
These systems are often installed by security contractors and plugged into whatever network is there. That causes two problems. Cameras send a lot of video, which can slow the network on a busy day, and poorly secured cameras and recorders are a common way in for attackers.
Put them on their own network, change default passwords, keep their built-in software (firmware) updated, and control who can view footage remotely. CCTV footage of identifiable people is personal data, and the ICO expects it to be kept secure, with access limited to the people who need it. Agree with your security contractor who is responsible for the cameras and who is responsible for the network they sit on.
Connecting the sites together
Head office often needs to reach systems at every site, and sites need to reach central systems. Software-defined networking (SD-WAN or SASE) gives you secure, managed connections between sites, applies the same security rules everywhere and shows performance at every site from one place.
Temporary sites, pop-ups and events
For festivals, fan zones, pop-ups or a site waiting for a fixed line, a managed 4G/5G router can get a venue online in days. Check coverage at the exact location first: Ofcom reports Scotland has the lowest 4G geographic coverage of any UK nation, although 5G is available outside 77% of premises (Connected Nations 2025).
Frequently asked questions
How quickly can a new venue be brought online?
With a standard site build, most of the design work is already done. A 4G/5G router can usually get a site live within days while a fixed line is installed. Leased lines take longer, typically 30–90 working days, so order them as early as possible.
Can faults be fixed without sending an engineer?
Many can. When every site's network, WiFi and devices are monitored and managed centrally, engineers can see the fault, restart equipment, change settings and push updates remotely. Site visits are then kept for hardware failures.
How Indigo does this. Indigo Unified Communications provides managed IT support, connectivity, WiFi and phones across all 10 Wonderworld Group sites, with every site on one standard and the WiFi managed from one UniFi controller. We document every site in IT Glue, and manage devices with Microsoft Intune. Managed 4G/5G connections are usually live within 2–3 working days. Our Glasgow team monitors every line 24/7. See IT support for venues.
Sources: Ofcom, Connected Nations: Nations report 2025 (Scotland), 19 November 2025, https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/coverage-and-speeds/nations-report-2025 · ICO, Video surveillance (including guidance for organisations using CCTV), https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/cctv-and-video-surveillance/guidance-on-video-surveillance-including-cctv/
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