High-performance, cost-effective Aruba Instant APs deliver Wi-Fi that benefits e-tailer’s bottom line

When the company’s aging Wi-Fi was unable to keep up with modern digital demands, Tom Schumacher realized it was time to find a better solution.

“与业务单位扩大依赖Wi-Fi, our existing infrastructure couldn’t keep up,” says Mr. Schumacher, Network Architect and Security Engineer at the Hubert Company, which operates five locations across the U.S. and Canada. “We needed an advanced, cost-effective and secure solution that could be centrally managed by one person.”

Research and References Led to Aruba Wi-Fi

尽管辛辛那提地区的Hewlett Packard Enterprise企业客户已有二十年多了，但辛辛那提地区的Hubert试图找到一种最佳的Wi-Fi解决方案。这导致了对基础设施，服务和路线图的广泛研究，以满足所有设施的未来计划。

“In addition to our corporate employees collaborating seamlessly, as an e-commerce retailer, we also needed to blanket our distribution warehouses with wireless to improve fulfillment efficiency,” Mr. Schumacher says.

Ultimately, Hubert selected a complete Wi-Fi and switching solution from Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company.

“Aruba listened closely to our needs and then offered us the best combination of capabilities in a simplified and streamlined solution,” Mr. Schumacher says. "The proposed solution came at a cost savings of 25 percent, compared to the leading contender.

即时APS：可靠，弹性和成本效益

休伯特（Hubert）决定使用Aruba的即时访问点（IAP）进行无控制器的实现，其中单个访问点是周围单元的虚拟控制器。“舒马赫先生说：“我们给人留下了深刻的印象。“如果原始的虚拟控制器应下降，则相邻的IAP足够聪明，可以成为新的控制器。”

Hubert also evaluated the IAP-based network for carrying voice-quality traffic, concluding it exceeded the quality of service requirements for the company’s planned adoption of a voice over Wi-Fi telephony system.

此外，WLAN可以发展以满足未来的需求。Schumacher先生说：“如果我们超过了无控制器的配置，我们可以平稳过渡到将来的控制器管理的设置。”

快速部署在办公室和仓库

With the IAPs, Hubert quickly deployed Wi-Fi throughout two Cincinnati-area office buildings and a 500,000 sq. ft. warehouse. “The deployment went completely as expected,” Mr. Schumacher says.

部署在休伯特的s Toronto call center and its 135,000 sq. ft. western region distribution center in Reno, Nevada, proved equally straightforward.

Schumacher先生说：“一旦完成远程安装，我们就将VPN隧道建立了使用安全的Internet连接回到总部数据中心。”“这使我们的电信成本较低且易于管理。”

For Strong Security and Streamlined Access It’s a ClearPass

对于安全的网络访问控制，Hubert正在利用ClearPass，这使得在强安全性上进行分层的过程。

根据舒马赫先生的说法，在ClearPass内制定政策之后，该工具会自动开始识别允许差异化的设备。他解释说：“例如，ClearPass不允许在我们的内部网络上使用个人iPhone，因为我们只允许公司设备访问我们的内部系统。”

On the other hand, Hubert’s company-issued laptops connect seamlessly, with ClearPass providing the same experience regardless of an employee’s physical worksite. “This really enhances productivity for the employees who regularly travel between our various locations,” Mr. Schumacher says.

For guests and IoT, ClearPass also has it covered

休伯特还使用ClearPass为访客，个人和其他设备类型提供单独的来宾网络。

“Completely segmenting traffic with ClearPass enables us to securely provide Internet access to any type of guest device,” Mr. Schumacher says.

This also supports Hubert’s IoT strategy by allowing these types of devices to connect to its guest network. Policies can also be created that allow some devices to connect to the internal network if needed.

动态分割添加了基于策略的访问有线交换机端口

将以太网端口专用于用户想要连接的IoT设备，随着更多设备进入网络，这也证明了耗时且难以管理。

向前迈进，休伯特计划利用更加清晰的通道功能，例如在其以太网交换机端口中添加基于策略的访问的动态分割功能。

“We look forward to leveraging Dynamic Segmentation to get the most from the Aruba 2930F switches we’ve also deployed,” Mr. Schumacher says. “This can help us improve security while reducing network complexity.”

从整个大陆管理网络

It’s a similar story for Wi-Fi optimization, where AirWave has proven key.

Schumacher先生说：“有了Airwave，可以将软件更新推出整个网络，而不是需要前往每个位置。”

他补充说：“我们还可以在我们的任何位置进行深入研究以查看特定AP的实时和历史数据。”“即使我在几千英里之外，这也可以快速进行故障排除。”

Freedom to focus on business-critical tasks

Overall, Hubert’s Wi-Fi has proven easy to manage and exceptionally reliable, freeing IT to focus on business-critical initiatives.

“With Aruba’s robust and intuitive tools, I’m managing our entire network from a single pane of glass,” says Mr. Schumacher.

“Intelligent infrastructure and management simplicity have given me back time to work on other things,” he adds. “The productivity and work/life balance gains have been tremendous.”

Rock-solid Mobility Benefits the Bottom Line

Today, Hubert’s network supports a wide range of business mobility tools. “Aruba’s ecosystem of partnerships with industry leaders like Zebra has enabled us to seamlessly connect IoT devices like handheld barcode scanners and mobile printers to our network to ultimately drive staff productivity and increase profitability,” Mr. Schumacher says. “With ruggedized IAPs in our warehouse, we’ve also minimized our dependency on wired switch ports.”

At office locations, Hubert conference rooms include large-format smart TVs with Chromecast devices for users making calls and delivering presentations on Windows and Android-based devices. Similarly, AppleTVs enable collaboration among those with Apple devices. “Now our users can quickly and more efficiently respond to customer and market demands,” says Mr. Schumacher.

In addition to boosting employee productivity, Hubert’s vendors and suppliers can deliver presentations using their preferred devices, regardless of device type.

最重要的是：它只是有效

对于Schumacher先生来说，Aruba解决方案的关键好处是他们辜负了销售。他补充说：“如果您遵循最佳实践，例如使用授权的Aruba供应商执行网站调查并帮助配置Clearpass和Airwave，那么您的安装应该很好。”

“I never get complaints from any of our locations,” he says. “Our Wi-Fi is that rock-solid. No matter what we need to use it for, our wireless just works.”