In recent times there has been much talk about the communication highway. At Eroski we don't think it's a fashion theme that will leave as it comes. Instead, we think that in the future it will be an unbeatable tool for the use of all of us. And that's why we created Erosnet.
One of the reasons that has led us to create the Erosnet communications network has been that we want to maintain an adequate level of control of production and distribution. The direct relationship with the different types of lines, with the slow ones, is now fundamental and all this was thought to be done at an affordable cost. In order for this desire to become a reality, many means had to be available. As for the passage of technological development, it is evident that the data displacements between computers have grown like a foam: the connection to the central system, the transformation of the cards, the telecontrol, the electronic transformation of the documentary funds, the connection with third parties, etc., are no longer a dream, but a clear example of the technological level that we have reached step by step.
Seeing that the road had already begun to crumble led us to create a network of our own. It has also influenced the discovery of different types of traffic and computer models. We believe that the future will increasingly be based on the reliability and capacity of communication. Eroski is also in the previous group investing in technology.
However, the decision was not completed. We have encountered many obstacles. On the one hand, we did not have the technical knowledge necessary to take the process to the level required by the size of Eroski's needs. On the other hand, Telefónica has a real monopoly on the telecommunications market. But this market is opening up and given the new picture, things are adjusting more in offers and prices than before, even though it is still difficult to do anything without that company. Because the network is built on its communication services.
Eroski wanted to provide a network capable of offering the services needed by the business fabric, with an acceptable fixed cost and a quality of service and management, with a high level of utility. These, along with laying the foundations of our communication strategy for the next century, were Eroski's main intentions. In other words, we wanted to achieve a homogeneous network that would allow us to assume any growth and development. We want security, network and service quality, value-added services, agility, remote control, mid-term voice and data integration, flat rates and lower costs...
We hope all this is possible thanks to the new Erosnet network. The first phase of start-up of the network began in September with the creation of central control systems, fiber optic lines at the headquarters of Eroski in Elorrio, lines in hypermarkets Eroski and distribution platforms of Elorrio, Amorebieta and Amorebieta, lines in hypermarkets Maxi and in the offices of Viajes Teleeroski and finally of Telefónica. Next year the rest of establishments will meet in the Erosnet network that ceases to be a dream and is a tangible reality.