De Rooi Pannen creates an enterprise-class learning experience for vocational students
Customer Profile
De Rooi Pannen is a community of departments for vocational education at lower and intermediate levels in the Netherlands. It has 14 sites in Tilburg, Eindhoven, and Breda, preparing students for careers in the hotel, tourism, design, catering and event industries.- Vertical: Higher Education
- Location: Netherlands
- Customer size: 14 sites in three cities
Use Case
The organisation had an ageing and fragmented wireless network infrastructure. With modern teaching practices changing and increasingly becoming digital and mobile-enabled, it wanted to overhaul its wireless estate ensuring a consistent, high-performance connectivity experience across all sites.
Requirements
- Create consistent network experience across 14 sites in three cities
- Segment network access for different user groups
- Simplify network management
Solution
Outcomes
- Enables the IT team to manage distinct network requirements for different departments, from a central location
- Establishes management platform to expand network usage, including extra mobility and IoT
- Creates secure access and consistent experience for staff and students, regardless of location
- Delivers an enterprise-class network for vocational students
De Rooi Pannen is a community of departments for vocational education at lower and intermediate levels in the Netherlands. It has 14 sites in Tilburg, Eindhoven, and Breda, preparing students for careers in the hotel, tourism, design, catering and event industries.
"Our focus is on developing entrepreneurial skills among students," says Peter Verhoeven, Head of IT, De Rooi Pannen. "Our form of education is small-scale and practical."
Upgrading a fragmented network
The organisation had an ageing and fragmented wireless network infrastructure. With modern teaching practices changing and increasingly becoming digital and mobile-enabled, it wanted to overhaul its wireless estate, ensuring a consistent, high-performance connectivity experience across all sites. And it needed centralised control.
"IT is not an end in itself but a means to support the educational process," says Verhoeven. "Our students expect to be able to work anytime, anyplace and anywhere."
The De Rooi Pannen buildings estate poses several challenges when building a wireless network. Many buildings are old, with thick walls; newer buildings are open plan with lots of structural steel. Each department has its own building with its own staff and the task was to ensure the wireless experience is to a very high standard.
The De Rooi Pannen buildings estate poses several challenges when building a wireless network. Many buildings are old, with thick walls; newer buildings are open plan with lots of structural steel.
Delivering a consistent experience across 14 locations
The new solution is managed and monitored via Aruba AirWave Network Management, with Wi-Fi connectivity delivered by more than 400 Aruba AP-315 high-density, 802.11ac access points managed by Aruba 7205 Mobility Controllers in Breda and Eindhoven, and two in Tilburg.
In addition, an Aruba Mobility Conductor simplifies the coordination of the controllers. The Mobility Master includes a centralised dashboard to easily see and manage individual controllers, configuration hierarchy to customise deployments for various sites, and live firmware and feature upgrades to improve network reliability, with no service disruptions.
"We don't see ourselves experimenting with technology" says Verhoeven. "We always favour proven technology."
The solution was proposed, designed and implemented by local systems integrator, and Aruba partner, The Networkers.
"The Networkers have taken a very professional approach to the entire process," says Verhoeven. "We have two SSIDs: one public, at 2.4 GHz, and one close to our own devices at 5 GHz. We're confident we have a long-lasting Wi-Fi network for the long-term."
"IT is not an end in itself but a means to support the educational process," says Verhoeven. "Our students expect to be able to work anytime, anyplace and anywhere."
Seamless mobility for students and staff
Verhoeven says the response to the new network has been positive, with seamless access for staff and students using laptops, tablets, and Chromebooks.
"It's a user-friendly solution, whether from the perspective of students logging on to the network or the IT team managing the network," says Verhoeven.
Future upgrades may include bespoke applications and location-based services around the 14 sites. "What's clear is that we now have a platform on which to build," says Verhoeven. "How we use the network in the future will be decided by the school's different departments."
"It's a user-friendly solution, whether from the perspective of students logging on to the network or the IT team managing the network," says Verhoeven.
Simplified management from a central point
From having a fragmented network, built on ageing hardware, De Rooi Pannen now has a modern network environment. It provides a consistent log-on, connectivity and performance experience across all sites, and can be centrally managed from the Tilburg head office.
The Aruba approach delivers several advantages in terms of simplified management. AirWave enables De Rooi Pannen to monitor user behaviour, proactively troubleshoot application issues, and plan for future capacity.
A unique feature of the Mobility Master, MultiZone, means Verhoeven's team can deploy multiple distinct and secure networks using the same access point (AP) infrastructure. This is ideal for the De Rooi Pannen environment, where different departments can be treated as distinct network tenants.
Also, the 7200 series controllers enforce granular user, device and application policies over APs and network switches alike – eliminating the need to configure separate VLANs, ACLs, and subnets.
"All knowledge acquired by our students can be applied directly in real hotels, shops, restaurants, bakeries, or event agencies. It is essential they work from the same tools used by industry. We now have a network experience to match any enterprise environment."
Enterprise-class vocational training
The engagement with Aruba creates an enterprise-standard wireless environment. It means De Rooi Pannen students can use the applications, devices and digital functionality they can expect to see in the corporate world.
"All our students do internships at companies in the Netherlands and abroad, and we retain strong ties with graduates currently working in the industry," explains Verhoeven. "All knowledge acquired by our students can be applied directly in real hotels, shops, restaurants, bakeries, or event agencies. It is essential they work from the same tools used by industry. We now have a network experience to match any enterprise environment."
All knowledge acquired by our students can be applied directly in real hotels, shops, restaurants, bakeries, or event agencies. It is essential they work off the same tools used by industry. We now have a network experience to match any enterprise environment.
Peter Verhoeven, Head of IT, De Rooi Pannen Customer Profile
De Rooi Pannen is a community of departments for vocational education at lower and intermediate levels in the Netherlands. It has 14 sites in Tilburg, Eindhoven, and Breda, preparing students for careers in the hotel, tourism, design, catering and event industries.- Vertical: Higher Education
- Location: Netherlands
- Customer size: 14 sites in three cities
Use Case
The organisation had an ageing and fragmented wireless network infrastructure. With modern teaching practices changing and increasingly becoming digital and mobile-enabled, it wanted to overhaul its wireless estate ensuring a consistent, high-performance connectivity experience across all sites.
Requirements
- Create consistent network experience across 14 sites in three cities
- Segment network access for different user groups
- Simplify network management
Solution
Outcomes
- Enables the IT team to manage distinct network requirements for different departments, from a central location
- Establishes management platform to expand network usage, including extra mobility and IoT
- Creates secure access and consistent experience for staff and students, regardless of location
- Delivers an enterprise-class network for vocational students
De Rooi Pannen is a community of departments for vocational education at lower and intermediate levels in the Netherlands. It has 14 sites in Tilburg, Eindhoven, and Breda, preparing students for careers in the hotel, tourism, design, catering and event industries.
"Our focus is on developing entrepreneurial skills among students," says Peter Verhoeven, Head of IT, De Rooi Pannen. "Our form of education is small-scale and practical."
Upgrading a fragmented network
The organisation had an ageing and fragmented wireless network infrastructure. With modern teaching practices changing and increasingly becoming digital and mobile-enabled, it wanted to overhaul its wireless estate, ensuring a consistent, high-performance connectivity experience across all sites. And it needed centralised control.
"IT is not an end in itself but a means to support the educational process," says Verhoeven. "Our students expect to be able to work anytime, anyplace and anywhere."
The De Rooi Pannen buildings estate poses several challenges when building a wireless network. Many buildings are old, with thick walls; newer buildings are open plan with lots of structural steel. Each department has its own building with its own staff and the task was to ensure the wireless experience is to a very high standard.
The De Rooi Pannen buildings estate poses several challenges when building a wireless network. Many buildings are old, with thick walls; newer buildings are open plan with lots of structural steel.
Delivering a consistent experience across 14 locations
The new solution is managed and monitored via Aruba AirWave Network Management, with Wi-Fi connectivity delivered by more than 400 Aruba AP-315 high-density, 802.11ac access points managed by Aruba 7205 Mobility Controllers in Breda and Eindhoven, and two in Tilburg.
In addition, an Aruba Mobility Conductor simplifies the coordination of the controllers. The Mobility Master includes a centralised dashboard to easily see and manage individual controllers, configuration hierarchy to customise deployments for various sites, and live firmware and feature upgrades to improve network reliability, with no service disruptions.
"We don't see ourselves experimenting with technology" says Verhoeven. "We always favour proven technology."
The solution was proposed, designed and implemented by local systems integrator, and Aruba partner, The Networkers.
"The Networkers have taken a very professional approach to the entire process," says Verhoeven. "We have two SSIDs: one public, at 2.4 GHz, and one close to our own devices at 5 GHz. We're confident we have a long-lasting Wi-Fi network for the long-term."
"IT is not an end in itself but a means to support the educational process," says Verhoeven. "Our students expect to be able to work anytime, anyplace and anywhere."
Seamless mobility for students and staff
Verhoeven says the response to the new network has been positive, with seamless access for staff and students using laptops, tablets, and Chromebooks.
"It's a user-friendly solution, whether from the perspective of students logging on to the network or the IT team managing the network," says Verhoeven.
Future upgrades may include bespoke applications and location-based services around the 14 sites. "What's clear is that we now have a platform on which to build," says Verhoeven. "How we use the network in the future will be decided by the school's different departments."
"It's a user-friendly solution, whether from the perspective of students logging on to the network or the IT team managing the network," says Verhoeven.
Simplified management from a central point
From having a fragmented network, built on ageing hardware, De Rooi Pannen now has a modern network environment. It provides a consistent log-on, connectivity and performance experience across all sites, and can be centrally managed from the Tilburg head office.
The Aruba approach delivers several advantages in terms of simplified management. AirWave enables De Rooi Pannen to monitor user behaviour, proactively troubleshoot application issues, and plan for future capacity.
A unique feature of the Mobility Master, MultiZone, means Verhoeven's team can deploy multiple distinct and secure networks using the same access point (AP) infrastructure. This is ideal for the De Rooi Pannen environment, where different departments can be treated as distinct network tenants.
Also, the 7200 series controllers enforce granular user, device and application policies over APs and network switches alike – eliminating the need to configure separate VLANs, ACLs, and subnets.
"All knowledge acquired by our students can be applied directly in real hotels, shops, restaurants, bakeries, or event agencies. It is essential they work from the same tools used by industry. We now have a network experience to match any enterprise environment."
Enterprise-class vocational training
The engagement with Aruba creates an enterprise-standard wireless environment. It means De Rooi Pannen students can use the applications, devices and digital functionality they can expect to see in the corporate world.
"All our students do internships at companies in the Netherlands and abroad, and we retain strong ties with graduates currently working in the industry," explains Verhoeven. "All knowledge acquired by our students can be applied directly in real hotels, shops, restaurants, bakeries, or event agencies. It is essential they work from the same tools used by industry. We now have a network experience to match any enterprise environment."
All knowledge acquired by our students can be applied directly in real hotels, shops, restaurants, bakeries, or event agencies. It is essential they work off the same tools used by industry. We now have a network experience to match any enterprise environment.
Peter Verhoeven, Head of IT, De Rooi Pannen