A popular family entertainment center faced frequent network issues that hampered both its operations and guest experience. The center’s owners turned to Airspeed IT for a reliable, secure, and scalable Wi-Fi and network infrastructure upgrade. This case study outlines the challenges the business faced, the cloud-managed solution Airspeed IT implemented, and the results that transformed the center’s connectivity and customer satisfaction.
Challenge
The family entertainment center struggled with an unreliable wireless network that was causing daily headaches. Point-of-sale (POS) systems would occasionally lose connection at critical moments, arcade games that relied on internet connectivity suffered interruptions, and staff mobile devices had trouble staying online. These connectivity issues not only slowed down transactions and game operations but also frustrated employees and guests. Moreover, the center lacked an effective guest Wi-Fi offering – visitors either had no Wi-Fi access or dealt with a weak, unsecured signal that often dropped. The business recognized that a robust wireless infrastructure was needed to keep operations running smoothly and to meet customer expectations. They also saw an opportunity: if a guest Wi-Fi network could be provided, it should benefit the business’s marketing efforts (for example, by capturing customer emails for promotions). The challenge was clear – the entertainment center needed a reliable, high-performance Wi-Fi solution that could support all its devices, separate guest traffic from business traffic, and turn connectivity into a marketing asset, all while being secure and easy to manage as the business grows.
Solution
Airspeed IT designed and implemented a comprehensive cloud-managed networking solution to resolve these issues and future-proof the center’s infrastructure. The solution was structured to improve network performance, security, and scalability, with key components and features including:
- Modern Wireless Access Points: Airspeed IT replaced the center’s outdated routers with multiple high-performance Wi-Fi access points strategically placed throughout the facility. These APs are cloud-managed and provide strong, consistent coverage in all areas – from the arcade floor to the cafe and party rooms. Now, employees and guests enjoy solid, seamless Wi-Fi coverage with no dead zones, even during peak hours.
- Secure Network Switching & Segmentation: Behind the scenes, Airspeed IT installed smart, Gigabit switches and a centralized security gateway (firewall). The network was segmented into separate Wi-Fi networks (SSIDs) for staff and for guests. Staff operations – like the POS systems, ticketing kiosks, and connected arcade machines – run on a private, secure network with priority bandwidth. Guests connect to a separate public Wi-Fi network that is firewalled off to ensure security. This segregation means critical business applications aren’t slowed down by guest traffic, and the entire network is protected from external threats.
- Cloud Management & Monitoring: All the new equipment (access points, switches, and gateways) is tied into a cloud-based management platform. This allows Airspeed IT and the center’s management to monitor network health in real time, push updates, and quickly adjust settings from anywhere. The cloud management ensures the solution is easily scalable – if the center adds new attractions or even opens another location, additional devices can be integrated with minimal effort and without reconfiguring the whole network.
- Guest Wi-Fi Portal with Marketing Integration: To turn guest Wi-Fi into a marketing tool, Airspeed IT set up a custom-branded captive portal for guest access. When visitors connect to the free Wi-Fi, they are greeted with a welcome screen featuring the center’s logo and promotions. Guests log in with a quick form that captures their name and email address (with their consent). This process is seamless and mobile-friendly, so it doesn’t inconvenience the customer. Once connected, guests get fast, reliable internet access to share photos, play online games, or browse – all while their contact info is securely added to the center’s marketing database.
- Enhanced Security and Compliance: The entire solution was built with security in mind. The cloud-managed security gateway includes features like firewall protection, content filtering, and intrusion prevention to safeguard the network. Guest traffic is isolated from the business network, protecting sensitive data like payment information. All Wi-Fi connections use modern encryption, preventing unauthorized access. This means the center can confidently offer Wi-Fi to guests and run online systems without worrying about data breaches or compliance issues. Airspeed IT also set up appropriate backup and failover measures to ensure maximum uptime – if one access point fails, others pick up the slack, and critical systems stay online.
Results
- Reliable Operations
- Improved Customer Experience
- New Marketing Opportunities
- Operational Efficiency
- Scalable & Secure Future
