Managed Voice and Data Network Convergence Case Study

During the construction of the arena, the general contractor and Bobcats executives were keen on selecting best-fit technologies for its operation. This included finding the right IT experts to provide consultation and deployment of the technologies.

The executive vice president of Administration for the Bobcats, was responsible for overseeing the technology implementation. She had the challenge of ensuring that all systems were operational to support events by move-in time, as well as establishing an effective IT organization that could meet the long-term needs of the arena.

Implementation:
rmsource was initially selected by the primary/secondary contractors to provide voice and data network convergence. Early on, rmsource engineers met with administrative VP and other arena executives to identify needs and develop an implementation plan. They were so impressed with rmsource that they decided to contract with the company directly to provide an external help desk for advanced IT troubleshooting. While the arena was being built, rmsource helped in the design of the data and voice VLANs, as well as the implementation of the network infrastructure itself. rmsource’s team then helped design and assisted in deploying the remaining technology solutions. The arena utilizes IBM servers and storage area network and principally Microsoft products. It is protected by a Juniper security solution. Extreme Networks controls the switches, and the wireless network runs on Aruba. rmsource even assisted in integrating the Aruba wireless system into an arena-wide antenna system to provide ubiquitous 802.11 B/G wireless penetration.

To ensure that the technology implementation was not delayed by other factors in the construction process, rmsource built and tested all systems off site. When the building was ready, the technology was seamlessly moved on site and put into service.

Results:
The Charlotte Bobcats Arena opened with a Rolling Stones concert on October 21, 2005, and the basketball season kicked off three weeks later. According to arena executives, as far as the technology was concerned, the opening event was "uneventful." The concert was a huge event coupled with a major venue opening, and there were no IT issues. The arena operators even received compliments from promoters about the ease of performing there.

rmsource is now on a long-term IT services contract with the Charlotte Bobcats Arena. While the internal IT department deals with day-to-day issues, the external help desk handles problems with the more sophisticated systems, such as firewalls, switches, phones and other hardware. rmsource also helps provide business technology consulting to ensure that data storage capacity, security, data backup, voice and data network integrity and overall IT policies evolve to meet the arena’s future needs.

"We had a very close working relationship with rmsource, and they contributed to our success on a number of levels.

"First, they stepped in at a critical time when we were hiring a new vice president of Technology, and they became a valuable resource to me while we were undergoing these staffing changes. They helped us build an entire IT system and enable our IT organization.

"rmsource had an amazing ability to really understand our needs. For example, we have multiple full-time tenants in the arena – the sports teams, food service, security, janitorial. All of these are separate entities, but they rely on the same physical network. It was critical to establish VLANs to support all the users and allow traffic prioritization. As we encountered challenges like these, rmsource guided us to the best solutions.

"Whether it was their issue or not, rmsource was there to help us solve any problem. Oftentimes they solved issues that really weren’t theirs. They had the knowledge and willingness to assist us when we were struggling with some of the other contractors.

"The end result is wonderful. The Bobcats arena is one of the most technologically advanced venues in the United States. The building is phenomenal, and everything just seems to work. rmsource was an important component to our successful opening and long-term operation."