Wireless Solution is a Slam Dunk for New Orleans Hornets
The New Orleans Hornets have deployed a wireless LAN (WLAN) solution from Motorola, Inc. to support media with reliable and secure wireless coverage during the basketball season, thus delivering real-time reporting on game developments. Leveraging Motorola's consultation and implementation services, the New Orleans Hornets installed Motorola's innovative RFS6000 wireless LAN switches and AP-5131 access points at the New Orleans Arena, providing users with superior coverage and overcoming the difficult RF environment in a sporting arena.Õ
"Meeting the latest National Basketball Association (NBA) requirements for wireless connectivity and security required a vendor with the design expertise and innovative technology necessary to integrate into existing systems in the building," says Tod Caflisch, vice president of information technology, the New Orleans Hornets. "Motorola stood out from the other vendors with a solid, cost-effective solution that addresses our specific needs while giving us the flexibility to expand in the future."
Wireles connectivity is essential in a real-time reporting environment, such as at a fast-paced New Orleans Hornets game. When reporting on a game, sports writers rely on wireless connectivity to get statistics, real-time league updates and other information needed to deliver stories to media outlets around the world. Prior to deploying Motorola's comprehensive network solution, the New Orleans Arena was deploying wireless access points (APs) temporarily, game by game, which did not provide the capacity or throughput rates that the media needed or the NBA required.
The Motorola wireless network solution deployed at the New Orleans Arena covers all areas required by the NBA, including the arena bowl and behind-the-scenes media work areas. Wireless coverage is now available in visitors' and home players' locker rooms — helping to accommodate the needs of the media with access to the information they need to deliver game updates to fans. Motorola's WLAN solution far exceeds expectations, resulting in positive feedback from the media as well as increased productivity from the Hornets staff during non-game events at the arena.
The Hornets have recently expanded use of the wireless network into their practice facility and have plans to implement the Motorola AirDefense Wireless Intrusion Prevention System, which provides proactive security monitoring to help prevent unauthorized access or malicious activity of hackers. The franchise is also looking to leverage the Motorola AirDefense Network Assurance solution to help network administrators troubleshoot connectivity or disruption of service issues before they have a prolonged impact on users. Longer term, the location-based capabilities and RFID support that the Motorola RFS6000 switch offers can be used to support maintenance, marketing, physical security and other efforts at the New Orleans Arena, meeting the needs now while being flexible and powerful enough to provide a foundation for future growth.