theWit Hotel Chicago Completes Converged Network Refresh with HTS
Hospitality Technical Services (HTS)
Hospitality Technical Services (HTS) has upgraded bandwidth and infrastructure at theWit Hotel in downtown Chicago.
"Technology has always been a cornerstone of theWit," said Mark Holzberg, CEO of HTS. "When it opened, this AAA Four Diamond hotel was one of the first properties to completely integrate its IT infrastructure. As CEO of Lorica Solutions at the time of opening, our team was instrumental in the initial network design at theWit. We crafted and installed a converged network to support multiple applications, from VoIP phones with touch-screen access to a variety of services, such as valet notification, housekeeping requests and roomservice ordering, to automated mini-bars, in-room environmental controls, staff communication via WIFI, networked door locks and guest HSIA."
"Five years later, a lot has changed, and in order to keep up with guest demands and continually raise the bar in exceeding customer expectations, theWit needed to adapt too," said Holzberg. "Scott Greenberg, president of ECD Company and creator of theWit, is one of the most tech savvy hotel owners and operators that I know, and I've been very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with him and his team. Scott is very cognizant of emerging trends and is always a step ahead in terms of providing the most innovative guest experiences. This recent upgrade is moving theWit forward by fortifying its infrastructure with a network so robust that it can meet the most aggressive bandwidth demands and handle mobile devices and various applications throughout the property."
As part of the refresh, theWit's Internet connection was upgraded from a 45Mbps T3 Internet circuit to a 100 Mbps circuit. Access points also were improved and expanded throughout the property, replacing older 2.4 GHz AP's that supported 54 Mbps to dual mode access points that now support both legacy 2.4 GHz as well as the new 5 GHz radio frequency spectrum that most mobile devices are now utilizing.
"By installing these new dual mode access points, theWit is now providing 300 Mbps of bandwidth per access point; with one access point for every three guestrooms," said Patrick Lewis, HTS director of business development, who was also involved with the opening of theWit while at Lorica five years ago. "In 2009, 54 Mbps per access point was state of the art, but today it's simply not sufficient. HTS worked closely with theWit to initiate a network refresh in the most cost-efficient way possible, utilizing the most appropriate types of equipment offered by the industry's best-of-breed providers, including Cisco for core switching equipment and Ruckus Wireless for the WiFi infrastructure. The HTS gateway provides three tiers of quality bandwidth, accommodating all guest demands, from simple email to the fastest streaming video."
"theWit is continually making investments in its network infrastructure and bandwidth to keep ahead of the curve and ensure that our guests remain elated with their overall experience," said Greenberg. "This network refresh is representative of that investment. As mobility continues to migrate and our guests' demands for bandwidth increase, theWit will continue to deliver on their expectations. With Mark and his team at HTS as our converged network provider, we have complete confidence that theWit will remain a leading hospitality destination for years to come, and a favored hot spot for the most technology-savvy traveler."
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