HISTORIC LUXURY HOTEL AND HOST TO ANNUAL NOBEL PRIZE LAUREATES DEPLOYS ARUBA NETWORKS WIRELESS LAN
Grand Hotel in Stockholm Implements Wireless Network Throughout Hotel to Provide Guests with Secure Internet Access
SUNNYVALE, Calif., October 2, 2006 -Aruba Networks, the Mobile Edge Company, today announced that the historic Grand Hotel in Stockholm has implemented Aruba’s wireless LAN (WLAN) technology throughout its hotel to better service hotel and conference guests. The luxury hotel, built in 1874, attracts guests from around the world and is a renowned international meeting place. Most notably, the Grand Hotel is host to the annual Nobel Prize laureates.
As it is widely considered first-class accommodation, and given its prestigious membership in the Leading Hotels of the World organization, the Grand Hotel was eager to adopt a wireless infrastructure that would provide its customers with the flexibility and convenience of mobility that is so quickly becoming a key component of today’s lifestyle.
Aruba worked closely with its reseller, Network Services, to deploy the wireless network and replace the previous small-scale installation. The hotel implemented an Aruba 6000 Mobility Controller and 65 Aruba Access Points (APs) to provide secure wireless access throughout the entire hotel including all conference halls and 376 guest rooms.
“Above all, we needed a solution that would meet the needs of our guests who already use and depend on mobile devices. We wanted to make sure that we could offer them an easy, but secure way of connecting to the Internet—whether for business or pleasure,” said Arne Liljegren, IT manager for the Grand Hotel. “With WLANs available in most airports now, guests have come to expect it as standard measure within hotels as well.”
After carefully weighing its options, the Grand Hotel invited Aruba and another leading wireless network provider to carry out a test installation within the hotel. After the two-month long trial, the Grand Hotel selected Aruba for its secure WLAN technology, flexible approach, and ease of implementation.
“Aruba Networks was the standout choice for us. They proved capable of providing flexible, easily implemented products and a modern, user-friendly network. Their solution was not only cost effective, but also much easier to understand and install than any other vendors we considered,” continued Liljegren.
“Our customers are large organizations with sophisticated networking requirements, and this deployment shows that our services meet the highest demands,” said David Noorzoy, CEO of Network Services. “The Grand Hotel is in every aspect a first-class meeting place where communication can initiate and flourish—it is exciting to be able to increase mobility in this beautiful environment. Together with Aruba, we have assisted Grand Hotel to meet their goal of satisfying high customer expectation, as well as offer a more mobile work place for the hotel staff.”
The Grand Hotel plans to expand the network in the near future, adding 20 more APs to accommodate its seven new conference rooms opening in Autumn 2006, and to offer network access from otherwise hard to reach areas such as the basement of the hotel. Additionally, the Grand Hotel plans to use the newly implemented wireless network to help support other technological demands – such as securing the recent chip and pin technology – for other hotel services including housekeeping and the restaurant.
“We are absolutely delighted to have been selected for this project. The Grand Hotel is a distinguished hotel that is leading the way in technological innovation,” said Albert Benhamou, vice president of worldwide channels for Aruba. “Not only will Aruba’s secure wireless network increase the efficiency of information access for all of its guests, but it also gives the hotel a competitive advantage with the services it can now offer – services that would not be possible with fixed-line networks – to its visitors and staff alike.”
About Grand Hotel Stockholm
A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, the landmark Grand Hôtel Stockholm with its 334 rooms and 42 suites, is located next to the National Museum and opposite the Royal Palace and Old Town. The Parliament buildings and Royal Opera House are within view, the best shopping district is but five minutes away, and the docks for the archipelago are 25-metres from the hotel. Since 1901, the Nobel Prize laureates and their families have all been guests of Grand Hôtel and the list of royalty, heads of state and artists who have stayed is impressive. In the words of a famous past guest, “The Grand is where it happens”. http://www.grandhotel.se
About Network Services
Network Services offers market-leading solutions for communication. We focus on security and cost efficiency. As Sweden’s fastest growing network integrator, the company is now one of the ten largest in Sweden. The solutions we represent are based upon world leading products and technologies from our partners, as well as qualified consultancy services from Network Services staff. The company is owned by the staff and has offices in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö with customers all across the Nordic region. For contact information, and to learn more, visit Network Services at http://www.networkservices.se.
About Aruba Networks
Aruba Networks is a fast-growing enterprise infrastructure company enabling the Mobile Edge, an evolutionary network architecture that represents a new approach to transitioning enterprise networks from a fixed, port-based architecture to an architecture centered on secure, identity-based mobility. The Mobile Edge simultaneously delivers mobile data and VoIP services, as well as a common user experience to mobile workers in the office, at home and on the road, by creating a secure mobility overlay that spans the LAN, the WAN and the Internet. To deliver the Mobile Edge, Aruba manufactures and markets a complete line of fixed and modular mobility controllers, wired and wireless access points, an advanced mobility software suite, and a mobility management system. Privately held and based in Sunnyvale, California, Aruba has operations in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, and employs staff around the world. To learn more, visit Aruba at http://www.arubanetworks.com.
Media Contacts
Don Reckles
Aruba Networks, Inc.
408-329-5108
dreckles@arubanetworks.com
Jay Nichols
Sterling Communications, Inc.
415-392-2300
jnichols@sterlingpr.com
Laura Mead / Richard Scarlett
Johnson King PR
+44 20 7357 7799
Arubateam@johnsonking.co.uk
Aruba Networks and Aruba The Mobile Edge Company are trademarks of Aruba Wireless Networks, Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective holders. Portions © 2006 Aruba Wireless Networks, Inc. All rights reserved. Specifications are subject to change without notice.