Avaya Inc, a leading global provider of voice and data networks to businesses, today announced that its converged wireless local area network (LAN) is providing wireless Internet access to guests staying at the Hilton Antwerp in Belgium.
As part of the hotel`s drive to increase Internet-based offerings, the Hilton Antwerp now provides guests with the ability to access public or private networks in a secure manner from anywhere in the complex without having to plug-in computers at a fixed point. The Hilton Antwerp is one of the few European hotels to offer such highly evolved levels of wireless Internet access and online service to it guests.
The project was managed by Caiven BVBA, specialising in wireless technology and hotspots. By combining voice and data on the same infrastructure, network efficiency and quality can be managed more effectively, cutting overheads and improving service. Similarly, by offering high-speed wireless Internet access in a hospitality environment, the hotel can provide enhanced facilities and also create new e-commerce opportunities in the future such as room and mini-bar services being requested online through the hotel`s intranet.
Chris Hermans, Information Systems Manager, Hilton Antwerp, said: "After extensive analysis, we found Avaya`s wireless offerings best suited to the needs of our guests. Scalability was a very important factor in our decision and Avaya solutions proved to be the most flexible, particularly in the wireless Internet arena. The only requirement is a wireless LAN card which the hotel is able to provide should users not have their own."
The Hilton Antwerp operates a portal which wireless users automatically open each time they log on. The portal provides useful information on hotel services, and may be developed to include personalised information including coded mini-bars which automatically update each room`s account, for example. In addition, various bandwidth options for Internet access are available, allowing guests to decide if they require public or private Internet address, or how many hours and days they wish to have Internet access.
Traditional fixed cable network connection Internet access is also available. The Avaya IP Wireless LAN was installed over a two-month period with minimum disruption to guests and the hotel.
"Avaya is committed to enabling companies of any size to enhance services and increase productivity," said Patrick Lelorieux, Avaya`s regional president, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). "By using Avaya technology to deliver wireless Internet access, Hilton Antwerp guests and conference delegates can now enjoy working anywhere within the hotel complex with complete ease and comfort. Wireless LANs are fast becoming a cost-effective and practical alternative to fixed networks with large scale events, including the 2002 FIFA World Cup, as well as this year`s Eurovision song contest, relying on Avaya Wireless LANs for their communications."
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Caiven is providing the Hilton Antwerp with:
* 33 Avaya Wireless AP-3 Access Points - including three backup points - providing up to 50 users with wireless Internet access at normal capacity levels. The Avaya AP-3 is compliant with the emerging WLAN standard, 802.11a as well as the existing 802.11b standard.
* Technical support for the Avaya Wireless LAN
* A virtual help desk to assist hotel personnel when configuring users and wireless network cards.
* On-going assistance with developing and maintaining the hotel`s portal, which users access each time they logon. The Hilton Antwerp also uses Avaya Cajun switches and Ethernet connections. Although notebook vendors are increasingly installing wireless cards as standard, wireless to Ethernet converters are available at the hotel reception, to provide for those users who do not yet have the required wireless solutions.
Avaya
Avaya, headquartered in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, is a leading global provider of communications solutions and services that help businesses, government agencies and other institutions excel in the customer economy. Avaya offers customer relationship management solutions, unified communication solutions, hosted solutions, multiservice networking infrastructure, and converged voice and data networks - including the company`s no-compromise Enterprise-Class IP Solutions (ECLIPS) - all supported by Avaya Services and Avaya Labs. Avaya is the worldwide leader in unified messaging, messaging systems, call centres and structured cabling systems. It is the US leader in voice communications systems and services. Avaya is an official sponsor for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, the 2003 Women`s World Cup and the 2006 FIFA World Cup championships.
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