Case Study
McLaren Construction
Starlink Business – Fully Managed Connectivity
McLaren Construction
McLaren Construction is a leading construction company known for its innovative approach to building and project management across the UK. The company has faced ongoing challenges with traditional internet services, particularly on greenfield construction sites where fibre installation can be problematic. To address these challenges, McLaren Construction has integrated Clarus Networks’ Starlink Business solution across multiple sites.
founded
1990
employees
0
turnover
£
100
m
The Challenge
Modern construction projects demand fast and reliable internet connectivity from the very start. McLaren Construction’s digital construction delivery methods rely heavily on consistent and high-speed internet to support various digital tools and technologies, including Building Information Modelling (BIM), Computer-Aided Design (CAD), and AI-driven progress capture.
Despite adopting an agile SD-WAN architecture in 2018 to integrate multiple connectivity options (fibre, 4G, and later 5G), the increasing digital demands of the construction industry necessitated a more robust connectivity solution. The need for higher speeds and more sustainable internet services became apparent as digital construction tools and data consumption continued to grow.
“McLaren has increased their investment in people, skills, and tools to spearhead digital construction delivery; through this drive, we have seen continuous growth in data generation and consumption at our construction projects. Growth like this demands a modern IT architecture with innovative connectivity methods to sustain continuous data transfers and online service(s) access while ensuring a smooth IT experience for our people; and one that enables innovation and adoption to be a success. With our agile cloud-first architecture, we were able to onboard Starlink swiftly and securely, with Starlink becoming our primary connectivity method for most of our UK construction projects within a 12-month period; backed up by 4G/5G which I would now call a traditional service.”
The Solution
To meet these evolving needs, McLaren Construction turned to Clarus Networks’ Starlink Business solution. Starlink’s high-performance satellite internet service provided the necessary speed and reliability to support the company’s digital transformation and connectivity requirements across multiple construction sites.
Implementation Process:
- Site Analysis: Clarus engineers performed thorough assessments at each construction site to determine the best placement for the Starlink antennas, ensuring optimal performance and minimal disruption.
- Integration: The Starlink solution was seamlessly integrated with McLaren’s existing SD-WAN architecture, enhancing connectivity by combining the strengths of Starlink with backup 4G/5G services.
Key Features of Starlink Business in Construction:
- Service Availability: Reliable internet access with an uptime of ≥99%, critical for continuous project operations.
- Performance: Low latency (20-40ms) and high throughput, providing speeds up to 350mbps download and 40mbps upload.
- Rapid Deployment: Quick installation, allowing internet services to be up and running from day one of the project.
- Scalability: Capability to support the increasing digital demands of construction projects with ease.
The Results
The deployment of Starlink Business has brought significant improvements to McLaren Construction’s operations:
- Enhanced Digital Tools Usage: Reliable internet connectivity has facilitated the seamless use of digital construction tools, including BIM, CAD, and AI-driven technologies.
- Increased Productivity: Faster internet speeds have reduced IT service delivery times and minimised downtime, leading to enhanced productivity and efficiency on construction sites.
- Cost Benefits: The improved IT infrastructure has led to a reduction in reactive IT service tickets and associated costs, contributing to overall business success and supporting McLaren’s digital strategy.
- Future Innovation: The adoption of modern technologies like SD-WAN, SASE, and Starlink has streamlined McLaren’s IT backbone, enabling a greater focus on customer experience, data engineering, AI, and digital adoption.
The integration of Starlink Business by Clarus Networks has revolutionised connectivity at McLaren Construction’s sites, enabling the company to meet the demands of modern digital construction. The success of this implementation underscores the potential of advanced satellite internet solutions in transforming industry practices, paving the way for future innovations and digital growth.
