Gaylord Hotels Gets Massive Wireless Installation with Aruba Networks
Gaylord Hotels announces the instillation of Aruba Networks, Inc. wireless Internet connectivity resort-wide at each of its four expansive properties, Gaylord Opryland, Nashville, TN; Gaylord Texan, Grapevine, TX near Dallas; Gaylord Palms, Kissimmee, FL; and Gaylord National, National Harbor, MD (opening April 2008). Guests will now be able to enjoy high-speed Internet connections via a state-of-the-art Wi-Fi network throughout all public areas of the hotels.
At Gaylord Hotels, wireless access can be enjoyed in guest rooms and in all public areas, including hotel lobbies, atriums, restaurants, lounges, bars and pool areas as part of the daily $15 resort fee. Wireless access in the convention center and meeting rooms requires additional firewall and security levels, and is contracted separately by each group's meeting planner.
Wireless networking is considered business-critical infrastructure by guests and visitors, and Gaylord Hotels wanted a solution that delivered an exceptional user experience across a wide range of applications. "Fewer than 50% of many similar sized properties in our competitive set even offer wireless networks, and when they do, they use older technology and they charge an unbundled rate for the service," says John Caparella, Gaylord Hotel's chief operating officer.
In less than ninety days, more than 70 miles of cabling and 1,700 wireless Aruba access points were deployed at the three currently installed Gaylord properties by a forty-member project team. The Gaylord National property will be completed in April. Later in the year the system is expected to expand to include a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) solution to track company assets and improve supply chain management. This project will encompass Gaylord's catering, inventory, and related services. Additional guest-focused applications to enhance use of cell phones, PDAs, and laptops will follow.
"Wireless network access makes life easier for our guests and is increasingly an important part of the experience, especially for meeting, convention and business travelers. We wanted a system that was robust, secure, and managed round-the-clock," says Caparella.