Wireless networking is considered business-critical infrastructure by hospitality guests and visitors. Gaylord Hotels wanted a wireless solution that delivered an exceptional user experience at its first class resorts and convention centers across the wide range of applications. After an extensive review of the available options, Aruba was selected for the project.

"We are deploying on an extensive Aruba-based wireless network for all of our resorts and convention centers," said John Caparella, Gaylord Hotels' Chief Operating Officer. "Our objective is to deliver flawless service to customers through the outstanding amenities and unforgettable entertainment our purpose-built hotels provide. Wireless network access makes life easier for our guests and is increasingly an important part of that experience, especially for meetings and conventions and business travelers alike. We wanted a system that was robust, secure, and managed round-the-clock."

As part of the many amenities included in the daily resort fee, guests at Gaylord Hotels will enjoy wireless access in guest rooms and in all public areas, including hotel lobbies, atria, restaurants, lounges, bars and pool areas. Wireless access in the convention center and meetings rooms includes additional firewall and security and is contracted separately by the meeting planner who controls the codes that provide meeting attendees access to the service.

"Fewer than 50% of similarly sized and competitive hotels and convention centers even offer wireless networks, and when they do, they use older technology and charge an unbundled rate for the service," said Caparella. "Aruba offered the best and latest technology and security, and through their collaboration they have transformed a great network concept into a reality for Gaylord Hotels and Gaylord Entertainment."

In less than ninety days more than 1,700 wireless Aruba access points were deployed at the Gaylord Opryland, Gaylord Texan Grapevine, and Gaylord Palms Resorts by a forty-member project team. The Gaylord National Resort installation is scheduled for completion in April. Later in the year the networks will be expanded to include a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) solution for tracking company assets and improved supply chain management encompassing Gaylord Hotels' catering, inventory and related services. Additional guest-focused applications to enhance the use of cell phones, PDAs, and laptops will follow.

Aruba's unified mobility solutions securely deliver wireless access to users by integrating adaptive wireless LANs, identity-based security, remote access, and application continuity services into a cohesive, high-performance system. Adaptive Radio Management (ARM) technology automates common network set-up and maintenance tasks, and continuously optimizes network performance to support data, toll-quality voice, and streaming video applications. In addition, ARM reliably supports Intel Centrino, Apple Macintosh, and the broad array of wireless PC clients commonly used by guests and staff, ensuring a positive user experience.

"Making every user experience a great one is essential in the hospitality industry, where quality of service is a distinguishing characteristic of the best properties," said Keerti Melkote, Aruba's co-founder and head of products and partnerships. "Because of the large scale of its properties, and the very high expectations of its guests, especially its convention visitors, with respect to wireless access, Gaylord needed a massively scalable, high throughput wireless LAN that supports high client density. Our ARM technology was designed with this scenario in mind. The Gaylord projects cap recent hospitality design wins for Aruba in Macau, the Emirates, and Las Vegas, and the excellent field results validate the benefits of ARM in very large wireless deployments."

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