RFU scrums for network upgrade

While the attention of rugby fans is focused on the World Cup in Australia, the English Rugby Football Union (RFU) has been busy off the pitch upgrading remote network access for its management team.

In a bid to increase both productivity and efficiency across RFU's management team, the organisation has kicked off a project which will roll out remote access to 50 users.

The Virtual Private Network system, which uses Siroconnect, part of the global roaming service from communications firm Sirocom, uses local call rates to minimise remote access charges.

Mike Morris, network manager at the RFU, said: "We also anticipate that we will achieve a return on investment on the Siroconnect service within 12 months."

Louise Ramsay, England's team manager, added: "Maintaining our position as the number one team in the world doesn't just rely on performances on the pitch.

"Just like any global business, it is essential for the management team to have access to corporate information and the internet."

RFU said it plans to extend its remote access scheme to more than 150 users in the next six months.