1) JJB Sports, a large UK sports retailer, implemented Bloxx web filtering to replace their previous Websense solution to gain better protection for their network and users at a lower cost. 2) Bloxx web filtering reduced JJB's total cost of ownership by over 66% while providing superior filtering capabilities and easier management compared to their previous solution. 3) JJB is able to effectively monitor employee internet usage, block inappropriate content, and maximize productivity through customized access policies implemented with Bloxx.

1. C A S E STUDY: WEB FILTER
Bloxx Delivers Superior Web
Filtering with Significantly Lower
TCO at JJB Sports
“The Bloxx Web filtering solution has exceeded my expectations. It offers excellent Web
filtering functionality that provides superior protection to our users and network with a
simplified management console for easier ongoing management and maintenance; all at a
fraction of the cost of our previous solution.”
Dan Highton, Network Manager, JJB Sports plc
BACKGROUND THE CHALLENGE
JJB Sports plc is one of the UK’s leading sports retailers. JJB has over 6,000 employees situated at its head
JJB was originally formed in 1971 to acquire the business office and distribution centre in Wigan, UK as well
of a single sports store in Wigan. The original store was as 225 retail stores across the UK and Ireland. As
established by J J Broughton in the early 1900s and then the use of the Internet has become crucial to the
changed hands before being acquired by J J Bradburn. smooth operation of the company and its business,
When David Whelan bought the store he maintained the the safety of its employees whilst using the Internet
JJB name. By 1976 the company had four stores growing has become a fundamental requirement. The
to 120 stores by 1994, at which point the company was company was using Websense Internet Security
floated on the London Stock Exchange. solution deployed on Bluecoat appliances but
In 1998 JJB Sports acquired the business of Sports wanted to explore more cost-effective solutions
Division. The acquisition then made JJB the largest sports whilst maintaining a high level of protection for its
retailer in the UK. Today, JJB operates in most major employees, network and company reputation.
towns and cities in the UK and Ireland, as well as a strong Dan Highton, Network Manager at JJB Sports
Internet business. said, “The use of the Internet by employees at the
JJB’s principal aim is to supply high quality, branded company has dramatically increased and although
sports and leisure products to its customers. JJB stocks all we have an Internet Usage Policy in place we were
of the major sports brands, as well as brands and product looking for a more cost-effective solution that
ranges which are exclusive to the company. JJB caters could protect our staff, ensure the integrity of our
for active sports participants supplying products for network and maximise staff productivity.”
customers simply seeking leisure and casual wear.
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2. THE SOLUTION restrictions at lunchtimes so staff can use the
C LIEN T: Internet for their own personal requirements.”
In March 2010, JJB replaced its Websense/Bluecoat
JJB Sports
Web filtering solution with a Bloxx 1750W Web “It is widely accepted within the company that
MOD EL: filtering appliance, powered by its patent-pending there is a need to protect the integrity of the
1750W Tru-View Technology. network. Having access policies in place has
allowed us to block access to sites that drain
The Bloxx Web Filter is now successfully
SEC TOR: bandwidth such as streaming media, minimise the
monitoring and reporting on Web browsing
Private risk of potential data loss and protect the network
activity for over 6,000 users, accessing the Internet
from malware. Our staff are accepting of the Bloxx
K EY BENEFITS: from over 2,000 client devices across multiple
Web Filter, understanding that it is there for the
locations, including desktop computers in its Head
Reduced Web protection of the network and also themselves.
filtering costs Office Support Centre and in-store Point of Sales
If they are blocked from a site that they need
devices and workstations.
User and network access to for business reasons, they can submit a
protection “Bloxx Web Filtering delivers all the functionality support ticket to us and it can be re-categorised or
increased
and protection an organisation such as JJB Sports incorporated into the policy that they are under.”
Reduced IT Admin demands. We now have more functionality in
Time & IT man In order to understand user Internet access at the
hours saved an easy-to-use Web Filter that suits our network
company, Highton regularly consults the Bloxx
infrastructure, was cheaper to buy and is easier to
Reduced Total Web Filter’s reports and logs. “It is very quick to
Cost of Ownership operate, manage and maintain,” explains Highton.
get a high level view of what is going on across
Acceptable our network in terms of Internet use. I utilise
User Policies THE RESULTS the Bloxx Web filtering reporting application to
introduced and
managed For the last four months, JJB has been reaping better understand which sites are getting high
the benefits of Bloxx Web filtering. The company traffic volumes and which users spend the most
has all the capabilities it needs to deliver safe time online. I can now easily provide individual
and productive Internet browsing and more reports should a line manager request it and this
importantly has reduced its Web filtering costs by information can be used to investigate attempted
over 66% that can be used for other IT projects. breaches of our Acceptable Use Policy or staff
productivity concerns,” adds Highton.
Highton adds, “We wanted a solution that
offered value for money and reduced our Total The overall installation and support experience
Cost of Ownership and delivered a safe online has been excellent. “The installation was excellent
environment for our employees. The purchase and the Bloxx engineer was extremely helpful and
cost for the Bloxx appliance for three years was thorough throughout the whole process and in
less than our Websense renewal was for one year. delivering training. Common to most IT projects
In addition, creating filtering policies in the Bloxx we did experience some teething issues with the
Web Filter is much simpler and straightforward hardware, but the support we received from Bloxx’s
compared to our previous solution which means support team was second to none. A replacement
that once the initial configuration was done, appliance was shipped to me the following day for
time spent administering the system is kept to a instant swap out which was just awesome, and we
minimum saving valuable IT time and resources.” were quickly up and running” explains Highton.
JJB maintain different levels of Internet access Highton concludes, “The Bloxx Web filtering
dependent on users’ requirements that allows the solution has exceeded my expectations. It offers
company to protect its staff from the potential excellent Web filtering functionality that provides
dangers of the Internet and maximise staff superior protection to our users and network
productivity by blocking categories that are not with a simplified management console for easier
considered a requirement for their job. ongoing management and maintenance; all at
a fraction of the cost of our previous solution
Highton explains, “The Bloxx Web Filter has a from Websense. The protection and online safety
great user interface and it is very easy to set up delivered by Bloxx Web filtering far outweighs the
policies to allow the level of access required for our argument not to have one.”
users. We have a High Level User Policy for staff
who require flexible Internet access, a Standard About Bloxx
Bloxx supplies appliance-based Web and email filter-
Policy that covers the majority of our staff and a ing, which uses the pioneering Tru-View Technology, to
very restrictive policy allowing access to a pre- organisations in both the business and public sectors.
defined list of sites on our in-store Internet kiosks.
To find out more about Bloxx filtering call us on
We adopt Time of Day policies for certain user +44 (0)1506 426 976, email info@bloxx.com or visit
groups which allow us to offer relaxed Internet www.bloxx.com/demo to book an online demonstration.
LU 18 07 11 For further information please call Bloxx on +44 (0)1506 426 976, or email info@bloxx.com PA GE 2