Challenge: To provide a fully customisable and robust solution for this state of the art Conference and Events Centre
Solution: Provide a SPARK Server with fully customisable welcome page templates
Company Profile
ACC Liverpool is a unique, flexible venue, purpose-built for a variety of events from conferences and conventions to concerts and community events. The building utilises state-of-the-art technology and cutting-edge design.
The arena has a capacity of 11,000 and provides 7,000 sqm of exhibition space while in the Convention Centre the versatile Multi-Purpose Hall seats 1,800 people. A 1,350 seat auditorium provides the focal point for conferences and conventions. There are a further eighteen meeting rooms which hold anything from ten to 500 people.
Business Situation
ACC required a robust and customisable WiFi solution with flexibility not currently available from their current vendor. A scalable WiFi experience management system was needed, a key feature being the ability to brand and customise the welcome page depending on the event. In addition, a powerful system that controlled user bandwidth was needed together with the ability to collect data in a variety of formats. All this was required in a platform that would integrate seamlessly into the existing, complex infrastructure. That platform was SPARK.
Solution
WiFi SPARK installed a powerful SPARK Server based on HP architecture at ACC. Having their own SPARK Server, provided ACC with full control of users, reporting, pricing, bandwidth and welcome pages as and when they needed it. The SPARK server was pre-configured and sent to site for their own IT dept to install.
Installation of the system completed and WiFi SPARK sent an engineer on site to provide on-site training to various members of staff. SPARK is a fully featured product and has many facets so on site hands on training assisted the ACC team in realising the potential of the system.
As part of the deployment, ACC was supplied a number of easily customisable portal/welcome pages. These templates allow the venue to add event banners to the portal and change the colour scheme. Alternatively, they can build a welcome page from a blank canvas.
As with all of our customers, ACC benefit from our excellent support service so in the event that they require assistance, we can provide an immediate remote response.
The server is also monitored remotely so in the unlikely event that there is a problem, we can troubleshoot the issue before the customer is made aware.
Functionality
End users connect to the WiFi network and launch their browser. They are then re-directed automatically to the
welcome portal. The portal provides useful and relevant information for the event and venue including free links to sponsors and exhibiters .
The login page also provides various login option including data collection, use a voucher, buy time using a credit card or user login.
Conclusion
A complex and extensive WiFi and fixed line network at ACC needed a powerful, configurable WiFi management system. SPARK is that system and we now have another satisfied, high profile customer in the conference and events sector.
