AO Accelerates Digital Transformation with AI-Powered Network Upgrade
Table of Contents
AO, the UK’s leading electrical retailer, is bolstering its operations with a significant network overhaul designed to accelerate decision-making, enhance security, and streamline IT processes across its 26 offices and logistics centers.
Founded in 2000 on a £1 bet by John Roberts to sell appliances online, AO has grown into a major player in the UK market, posting revenues of £586 million and an operating profit of £18 million for the six months ending September 30, 2025. The company’s success is built on a complex network of interdependent workflows – from production to delivery and installation – that are ideally suited for optimization through artificial intelligence (AI).
However, AO recognized that its existing legacy network infrastructures were hindering its ability to fully leverage AI at scale. These older systems struggled to integrate and manage the growing number of connected devices essential for tracking operations throughout the packing, delivery, and installation processes. To overcome these limitations and achieve its ambitious digital transformation goals, AO turned to HPE Mist’s AI-native capabilities.
The new network, specifically designed for AI workloads and self-driving operations, proactively identifies and flags potential network issues, significantly reducing response times. According to a company release, this upgrade is already empowering AO’s customer-first culture by supporting 24/7 logistics, including innovative solutions like voice-activated inventory management.
Expanding Connectivity with HPE Juniper Wi-Fi
AO has already deployed HPE Juniper Wi-Fi at its head office, design hub, creative studio, and several logistics sites, with plans for rapid expansion to all logistics and recycling centers. Wi-Fi Assurance is a key component of this rollout, proactively optimizing wireless performance to meet service-level expectations (SLEs) defined by the AO IT team. The system provides one-click root-cause analysis and remediation, ensuring a consistently high-quality network experience.
“We’re a developer-centric organization, and we saw the opportunity to use the HPE Juniper Networking platform to drive data-led decisions around internal user experiences, leading to amazing customer experiences,” stated a network team lead at AO. “The ability to see exactly what devices are on the network and to leverage real-time device and occupancy analytics enables us to make smarter, faster business decisions, in IT and across our entire operations.”
AI-Driven Insights for Enhanced Efficiency
Beyond core connectivity, AO is leveraging the power of Marvis AI Assistant to automate network operations, from the service desk to the network engineering team. The system continuously learns from network devices and applications, enabling IT teams to resolve issues with greater accuracy. The Marvis Client provides valuable Wi-Fi insights from the end-user perspective.
AO also plans to utilize the system’s Indoor Location Services to optimize space utilization, identifying usage patterns and addressing peak-time demand more effectively. .
Ultimately, HPE asserts that by embracing AI-native Wi-Fi and switching within the Mist platform, AO can significantly boost operational efficiency, gain real-time visibility into its operations, and improve the overall workplace experience.
“AO exemplifies how forward-thinking enterprises are using AI-native networking to drive real business outcomes,” said Mark Weeks, UK and Ireland sales director at HPE Networking. “By adopting a cloud-managed, AI-native networking architecture from HPE, AO has gained robust, secure connectivity that spans corporate offices and complex operational environments. The advanced HPE Mist platform delivers actionable insights and intelligent automation, empowering AO to accelerate decision-making and sustain competitive agility in a dynamic market.”
