Wireless Innovator Quickly Enables High-Performance Connectivity for Thousands of TVs, and Mobile Devices for Parents & Kids
PALO ALTO, Calif. – May 29, 2013 – PowerCloud™ Systems, a pioneer in cloud-powered networking for businesses supporting connected mobile guests, today announced that Nickelodeon Suites Resort, an Orlando-based hotel designed to feature themes from the eponymous children’s TV network, has deployed hundreds of PowerCloud Access Points (APs) to deliver wireless connectivity to its rooms, Wi-Fi enabled televisions and thousands of guests. Working closely with Smart Hospitality, a California-based managed services partner, Nickelodeon Suites chose PowerCloud Systems’ solution for their challenging wireless environment to dramatically increase network performance, deliver reliable client connectivity and reduce the total cost of delivering Wi-Fi as a service to its guests.
“We’ve been extremely pleased with the Wi-Fi solution from PowerCloud,” said Rodney Boudreaux, Director of IT at Nickelodeon Suites Resort. “It has delivered reliable, enterprise-class coverage for our entire property. In fact, PowerCloud is the only solution we’re aware of that could meet all of our performance, manageability, and budgetary goals.”
“The Nickelodeon Suites deployment highlights the reliability and the ease of deploying and managing the PowerCloud solution. Not only were 222 APs installed in less than one week, the upgrade was completed while the hotel was fully occupied and with zero distractions to guests,” said Jeff Abramowitz, founder and CEO of PowerCloud Systems. “What’s more, the hotel’s IT staff was quickly able to monitor and manage the entire network using our CloudCommand™ platform to ensure that guests are having a good connected experience.”
PowerCloud Systems specializes in delivering enterprise-class Wi-Fi-as-a-Service using the cloud to deliver network intelligence, security and control to a network of APs without the need for an expensive, on-site controller. Not only does this reduce the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for an enterprise-class Wi-Fi network, it vastly speeds deployment, since PowerCloud’s APs require zero-touch configuration and management.
This was particularly relevant for the Nickelodeon Suites deployment. One of the most popular amenities of the hotel are Smart Hospitality’s multiple wireless-connected Set-Top Boxes (STBs) in every suite. As adults and children are bringing an increasing number of connected mobile devices, a robust Wi-Fi network was also a must. With PowerCloud’s “zero-touch” deployment capabilities, Smart Hospitality was able to ship APs directly to the resort. No on-site configuration was required other than the simple task of plugging them in via the existing Ethernet connection.
From their offices in California, the deployment team at Smart Hospitality used CloudCommand to register the APs for security, enter in the global configuration for the network, assign names and locations, and then remotely direct the installers as to where to place them. The configurations were preset – when the installer plugged the AP in to the network at the hotel, the access point immediately ‘phoned home’ via the cloud, downloaded the provisioning protocols and security settings, and began broadcasting.
“The Nickelodeon Wi-Fi network requirements are among the most challenging we’ve seen. They require broad coverage and connectivity to a large number of STBs, as well as connected devices for both parents and kids. The PowerCloud solution was incredibly simple to deploy, and has provided stable and reliable connectivity from day one,” said Jeffrey Lawton, President of Smart Hospitality. “In addition, PowerCloud’s CloudCommand platform gives us unprecedented visibility and control over all the nodes in the network, making remote management a snap.”
If you are interested in learning more, please visit www.powercloudsystems.com or visit PowerCloud Systems at HITEC 2013 at booth #1847.
About PowerCloud Systems
PowerCloud™ Systems is a leader and industry pioneer for cloud-powered wireless networking. The company’s patented and award-winning CloudCommand™ technology was invented at the Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) and makes deploying and monitoring Wi-Fi networks and services easy for businesses with mobile customers. The CloudCommand platform is deployed worldwide in hotels, schools, retail chains, managed care facilities and other businesses seeking truly affordable, enterprise-grade Wi-Fi. Investors include PARC, Qualcomm Ventures, Javelin Venture Partners and Walden Venture Capital. More information can be found at www.powercloudsystems.com.
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