617.938.6200
Bluesocket WLAN solution and NSK Inc. transform historic Boston theatres, delivering state-of-the-art wireless access to production companies and patrons
Burlington, Mass.--NSK, Inc., and Blue Socket Wireless, the leader in trusted wireless access and enterprise mobility, today announced that Citi Performing Arts CenterSM, which manages the Wang Theatre and Shubert Theatre in Boston, has deployed a Bluesocket wireless network solution throughout its two theatres. The implementation is a joint effort with NSK Inc, an information technology consulting company focused on IT management for small business, and brings reliable, secure wireless access to theatre staff, visiting performance companies and event patrons.
Set in the heart of Boston's Theater District, the Wang and Shubert Theatres boast a full event schedule annually hosting more than 400 days of theatre productions, concerts, special events, and community programming. The more than 340,000 individuals who pass through the facilities each year require high-performance, readily available wireless capabilities, including production companies who operate backstage for an extended period of time. Citi Performing Arts Center turned to NSK for assistance in selecting an enterprise-quality wireless solution able to integrate with existing third-party access points, as well as Bluesocket's BlueSecureTM Access Points, and extend coverage beyond the theatres to backstage areas, lobbies and administrative offices. Bluesocket's ability to support these third party Access Points contributes to a greater ROI by protecting Citi Performing Arts Center's initial investment. Top priorities were ease of management and secure guest access that could be set to automatically expire at the end of an event or production run.
Bluesocket worked with NSK to deliver a robust solution customized to serve the unique architectural requirements of the 200 year old theatre buildings. The Bluesocket implementation is built on a BlueSecureTM 2200 Controller with more than 40 BlueSecureTM Access Points, including a 1600 series Blue SecureTM Access Point that provides coverage in the outdoor courtyard adjacent to the Wang Theatre. This busy urban environment experiences significant RF interference which is mitigated by the Bluesocket Dynamic RF technology.
"Working with Bluesocket was a true partnership experience. The Bluesocket engineering team took the time to design an easy to deploy and manage WLAN solution capable of handling the theatres' high volume guest access needs," says Ryan Hickey, IT Services Manager at NSK, Inc. The implementation enables wireless access throughout the buildings with separate networks for guests and employees.
For Michael Szczepkowski, VP and General Manager at Citi Performing Arts Center, a top priority was to provide secure and reliable Internet access to visiting production companies and event attendees. "Prior to the Bluesocket implementation we couldn't provide quality Internet access, putting us at a competitive disadvantage with other venues. Our guests are thrilled with the new wireless solution and can stay on top of work while they are away from their offices. The Bluesocket solution has proven to be dependable and fast which eliminates time spent troubleshooting connectivity issues."
Another consideration in the implementation was Access Point placement. Modifications to the theatres, including technical improvements, need to conform to requirements of the National Register of Historic Buildings. "As both theatres are part of the Historic Theatre District, it is important to maintain the original façade and interior beauty of the buildings. The flexibility of the Bluesocket devices enables discrete positioning within the theatres and public areas," says Szczepkowski.
"Bluesocket's feature-rich product line gives Citi Performing Arts Center a best in class guest access wireless service with strong dynamic RF management capabilities, excellent for dense urban environments, says Mads Lillelund, chief executive officer at Bluesocket. "NSK has done a great job integrating the Bluesocket solution to provide state-of-the art wireless access throughout two of Boston's most distinguished buildings."
About Citi Performing Arts Center
Citi Performing Arts CenterSM, which includes both the Wang Theatre and Shubert Theatre, is dedicated to providing broad-based, popular entertainment and arts education programming. As a 501(c)3 non-profit institution located in Boston's historical Theater District, it is committed to KEEPING LIFE COLORFUL for New England residents and visitors by inspiring a greater appreciation for the performing arts through educational outreach, public programming and community partnerships. The Center is also proud to partner with both Citibank and Madison Square Garden Entertainment. For more information, please go to www.citicenter.org
About NSK
NSK Inc is headquartered in Boston, MA with an additional office in Palo Alto, CA. We provide support and expertise for your most important IT-related decisions and projects. Providing technical services to small and medium-sized businesses and groups working within large organizations, we provide a broad array of technology solutions to business-driven information challenges. We also create custom software products for investment banks, equity management organizations, and other specialized industry areas. For more information, please visit www.nskinc.com
About Bluesocket
Founded in 1999, Bluesocket is a leader in open, standards based enterprise mobility solutions. Its industry-leading wireless LAN products deliver secure mobility to thousands of customers across the education, enterprise, government, healthcare and hospitality markets. Bluesocket's complete wireless network solution portfolio brings trust and simplicity to increasingly complex wireless networks maximizing customer ROI and increasing their competitive edge. For more information, please visit http://www.bluesocket.com/
© 2009 Citi and Citi Arc Design are registered service marks of Citigroup Inc.
Citi Performing Arts Center is a service mark of Citigroup Inc.
Bluesocket, the Bluesocket logo, BlueProtect and BlueSecure are trademarks or registered trademarks of Bluesocket, Inc. All other trademarks, trade names and company names referenced herein are used for identification only and are the property of their respective companies.
This article was originally written by Bluesocket, and can be seen also at: