Cisco CiscoWorks LAN Management Solution 4.0 Information Guide
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Challenge
Exhibitions are different from one another, but they share the same need for wireless links
that let exhibitors, visitors, and journalists stay connected during a show. Messe Frankfurt,
one of the world’s largest organizers of trade fairs and exhibitions, was the first to provide
wireless access free of charge at its Frankfurt headquarters.
that let exhibitors, visitors, and journalists stay connected during a show. Messe Frankfurt,
one of the world’s largest organizers of trade fairs and exhibitions, was the first to provide
wireless access free of charge at its Frankfurt headquarters.
Hosting its own events, many of which are industry classics, Messe Frankfurt also leases
out its exhibition halls and communications infrastructure to other organizers. This part
of the business is a huge operation. In 2012, for example, the company welcomed 1.63
million visitors and 44,066 exhibitors in Germany, and a total of 2.8 million visitors and
78,497 exhibitors globally.
out its exhibition halls and communications infrastructure to other organizers. This part
of the business is a huge operation. In 2012, for example, the company welcomed 1.63
million visitors and 44,066 exhibitors in Germany, and a total of 2.8 million visitors and
78,497 exhibitors globally.
The Frankfurt exhibition ground is a dynamic environment that changes with each show.
With 10 halls covering nearly 578,000 square meters, it was becoming difficult to
offer organizers and exhibitors the communications that they expected on the existing
wireless infrastructure.
With 10 halls covering nearly 578,000 square meters, it was becoming difficult to
offer organizers and exhibitors the communications that they expected on the existing
wireless infrastructure.
First, the wireless network was not flexible enough. Before each event, it took several
hours to separately configure each of the site’s 450 wireless access points to an
organizer’s specifications.
hours to separately configure each of the site’s 450 wireless access points to an
organizer’s specifications.
Second, the network was not performing well enough. Congestion happened too often,
and problems took too long to resolve, often because they were hard to identify in the
first place. Service levels varied across the site, because some halls had fewer wireless
access points than others.
and problems took too long to resolve, often because they were hard to identify in the
first place. Service levels varied across the site, because some halls had fewer wireless
access points than others.
Third, the network was running out of capacity. “We’re diversifying the business by building
a new shopping and congress center,” says Lutz Schmidt, infrastructure service manager,
Messe Frankfurt GmbH. “We also have to keep pace with rising visitor numbers and a huge
increase in the usage of powerful smart devices. Our existing infrastructure couldn’t cope
with all those demands.”
a new shopping and congress center,” says Lutz Schmidt, infrastructure service manager,
Messe Frankfurt GmbH. “We also have to keep pace with rising visitor numbers and a huge
increase in the usage of powerful smart devices. Our existing infrastructure couldn’t cope
with all those demands.”
Customer Case Study
Wireless quality gives Messe Frankfurt powerful tools with multiple benefits for events, and exhibitions
Customer Name:
Messe Frankfurt GmbH
Industry:
Trade Fairs
Location:
Germany
Number of Employees:
1833
Challenge
• Increase venue attractiveness and
revenue streams
• Keep pace with demand for
wireless services
• Simplify IT operations
Solution
• Fully managed Cisco wireless LAN
solution based on Cisco Enterprise
Networks architecture
Networks architecture
Results
• New network is persuasive sales and
marketing tool
• IT platform supports future
business growth
• Network set-up now takes minutes,
not hours
© 2013 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information.
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