NEC Group transforms visitor facilities at UK venues with wireless networking

NEC Group provides extended internet access at the ICC, NIA and LG Arena - and in parts of the NEC -boosting the efficiency of its admissions operations through the use of handheld ticket scanning devices

The NEC Group previously offered limited internet access in areas such as venue cafés and bars. Now the organisation provides exhibitors and guests with high-speed wireless IP connectivity in all public areas outside of the exhibition halls, the two Arenas and the conference halls at the ICC. In order to control usage, venue guests are required to complete a quick online registration before being given internet access.

Furthermore, staff at The NIA, the LG Arena and The NEC equipped with handheld scanning guns can now scan guests’ tickets on entry, rather than conducting time consuming manual ticket checks. The devices connect wirelessly with The NEC Group’s back-end ticketing system to provide near instantaneous ticket verification that allows the organisation to be more flexible regarding the number of admissions staff deployed for different events, as well as increasing entrance speeds.

In addition to the wireless components, the core data switch at The ICC has been replaced with Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN technology, providing a more resilient IT experience to both corporate events and ICC employees. This wider installation is central to supporting approximately 200 users’ PCs, more than 400 telephone lines, 51 wireless access points at The ICC and 43 access points at The NIA, 35 tills, exhibitor installation services and digital signage.

“We’ve made a series of investments in the latest communications technologies as part of our venue improvement programme, to differentiate our venues and to meet demand from our customers for more flexible services and facilities,” said Andrew McManus, IT director, The NEC Group. “Having revamped our ticket office and our internal communications, we also wanted to extend greater internet connectivity to our visitors. Alcatel-Lucent’s solution suited our requirements perfectly, while the use of wireless has allowed several venues to achieve further internal efficiency gains as well.”