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International Exposition (I-X) Center Deploys Samsung Wi-Fi Network to Deliver Powerful Mobility to Exhibitors, Visitors and Staff
[April 21, 2016]

International Exposition (I-X) Center Deploys Samsung Wi-Fi Network to Deliver Powerful Mobility to Exhibitors, Visitors and Staff


After completing an overhaul of its communications network, the I-X Center, one of the largest convention centers in North America, now features a Wi-Fi network powered by Samsung (News - Alert) that delivers fast and reliable mobility to exhibitors, visitors and facility staff. The I-X Center, based in Cleveland, Ohio, turned to the Business Network Team (BNT), a business telecommunications and IT management company, and Samsung Electronics America, Inc. to create a managed Wi-Fi network that could overcome heavy concrete structures and high ceilings - and deliver superior, cost-effective wireless coverage to meet the center's expanding bandwidth needs.

"Exhibitors arrive with applications and systems that require powerful Wi-Fi and guests walk in with multiple mobile devices expecting a fast connection everywhere in the building," said I-X Center IT Director Crystal Wilkie. "With Samsung Wi-Fi in place, we are delivering the high-capacity experience our exhibitors need and the broad coverage our guests want. Top-notch Wi-Fi is a key criteria that exhibitors gauge when choosing a venue, and fortunately, we have the technology to deliver."

I-X Center's Wi-Fi Increases Efficiencies, Staff Productivity

With a growing roster of exhibitions and concerts, the I-X Center needed a controlled Wi-Fi network capable of supporting increased bandwidth from mobile payments, exhibitor demonstrations and social media posts. A tailored Wi-Fi solution was created to ensure I-X Center exhibitors and guests remain connected, while IT staff could easily manage the Wi-Fi network.

With Samsung's Wi-Fi network in place, the I-X Center was able to pass on savings, reducing wireless Internet rates charged to exhibitors by 40 percent. The I-X Center implementation was recently recognized with a CIO of the Year award by Crain's Cleveland Business for Wi-Fi Installation.

Key elements of the solution include:

  • More than 220 Samsung WEA303e wireless access points provide Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the vast center, including the facility's main areas, conference room and administrative offices. The access points feature AirEqualizer (News - Alert), an integrated traffic scheduling technology, providing consistent connectivity to many devices simultaneously.
  • Samsung's WEC8500 wireless access point controller lets I-X Center IT staff quickly recalibrate the controlled Wi-Fi network during and after each event without having to manually set ports or restring Ethernet cables to each booth - driving new level of speed and savings in network management.
  • The I-X Center's phone system was upgraded with a Samsung OfficeServ 7400 system and IP Phones, which features the ability to easily move calls between desk phones and smartphones, enabling seamless connectivity throughout the venue.



"We wanted to provide the I-X Center with one overall technology solution that allows multiple technologies to work well together," said BNT president Mike Profant. "Deploying a complete suite of Samsung products, from Wi-Fi service to business telephone systems and security cameras, delivered a network that combines reliability with functionality. Only Samsung could deliver this kind of environment."

Covering 2.2 million square feet with ubiquitous Wi-Fi


The 2.2-million-square-foot I-X Center features a showroom floor covering over a million square feet and hosting over 1.5 million Visitors annually. Originally built in 1942 as the Cleveland Bomber Plant, the I-X Center's unique building materials, heavy concrete and structural design previously made it difficult to install network infrastructure, a challenge Samsung overcame with its technology.

"Designing networks for large venues, particularly for one of the largest conference spaces in the U.S. like the I-X Center, requires thoughtful planning," said John D'Annunzio, General Manager of Samsung Wireless Enterprise. "Even with the center's steel beams, 90-foot rafter heights and a massive volume of devices used simultaneously, our Wi-Fi technology was built to help venue operators deploy Wi-Fi with speed and security while prioritizing customer satisfaction."

To read a full case study on how the I-X Center transformed its Wi-Fi network, please visit here or watch a video here.

About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.

Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, NJ, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), is a recognized innovation leader in consumer electronics design and technology. A wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., SEA delivers a broad range of digital consumer electronics, IT and home appliance products. Samsung is the market leader for HDTVs in the U.S. and America's fastest growing home appliance brands. To discover more of the award-winning products you love with Samsung, please visit www.samsung.com and for the latest Samsung news, please visit news.samsung.com/us and follow on Twitter (News - Alert) @SamsungNewsUS.

About I-X Center

International Exposition (I-X) Center in Cleveland, OH is the world's most unique exhibition facility. The 9th largest convention center in North America is comprised of 2.2 million sq. ft., including more than one million sq. ft. of flexible presentation space and transitional theater that can accommodate up to 6,500 guests. The I-X Center has hosted more than 1,500 events attracting 50 million visitors during the past 30 years. For more information, visit www.ixcenter.com.

About Business Network Team (BNT)

Business Network Team (BNT), operated by Mike Profant, is an Authorized Samsung Partner that provides personalized experience in voice and data services, network architecture, and telecommunications through the power of industry knowledge, backed by the products and services offered by the largest telecommunications companies in the world. Through world-class support and industry recognized training, BNT has specialized access and knowledge to industry information, tools, and resources. For more information, please visit www.bnteam.com.


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