Rocky Mountaineer
Vacations (RMV), an award-winning Canadian provider of premiere travel, is
boosting efficiency with a wireless solution from Cisco Systems
with enhanced security features. The Cisco(R) solution –
providing wireless security capabilities, management, mobility and
connectivity to data and business applications – was implemented by Compugen
Inc.
As part of the Armstrong Hospitality Group Ltd., RMV offers rail and
motor coach services, sightseeing tours and hotel accommodations. The
company’s rail travel operation transports 140,000 travelers during the
April-to-October vacation season, throughout British Columbia and Alberta. The
company is undergoing major growth, expanding its rail routes and exploring
new technologies, including wireless solutions, for its business processes and
travel customer offerings.
In addition to vacation packages, RMV draws significant revenue from
food, beverage and souvenir sales. These services are facilitated by a
point-of-sale (POS) solution located in train cars and rail stations that
captures and stores data while the train is in motion until it can be
transmitted from a wireless access point. RMV received slow, unreliable
service from its previous wireless solution – sometimes waiting up to four
days to receive data – impeding business processes.
In spring 2006, the company turned to Compugen, a Cisco Silver Certified
and Wireless LAN Specialized Partner, to explore larger-scale wireless
solutions that would provide a reliable infrastructure for its POS solution.
“We knew there was major potential for success with wireless,” said Ben
Guanzon, director of IT for Rocky Mountaineer Vacations. “When we approached
Compugen for a reliable, highly secure solution with high availability and a
proven reputation, their response was, ‘You have to go with Cisco.'”
After undertaking a full survey with Cisco wireless-site survey
equipment, Compugen implemented a Cisco wireless network solution (802.11b),
including Cisco Aironet(R) 1300 Series access points with integrated antennas.
This was an ideal equipment choice as it is configurable for access point
roles, offers enhanced security mechanisms, and is optimized for harsh outdoor
environments with extended operating temperature range.
Despite facing a tight deadline in the midst of RMV’s travel season,
Compugen successfully completed the first-of-its-kind deployment at each RMV
site.
“The rugged terrain and openness of Rocky Mountaineer Vacations’ train
station environments made this one of the most complex wireless
implementations we’ve ever undertaken,” said Terry Mirza, senior client
executive at Compugen. “Despite challenging environmental factors and tight
deployment timelines, we’ve proven what amazing things can be accomplished
through strong partnership and best-in-class technology.”
“When most people think about business uses for wireless technology, they
think in terms of a traditional office environment,” said David De Abreu, vice
president of commercial operations at Cisco Systems. “The Rocky Mountaineer
Vacations implementation is a great example of what a little creative thinking
and openness to new technologies can do for any business from an operational
and customer service point of view.”
Compugen continues to work with RMV to help ensure coverage saturation
and expand the capabilities of its solution, including offering wireless
connectivity for both staff and guests during travel.
“Our growth has taught us we need to be flexible and open-minded about
every area of our business, particularly when it comes to technology,” said
Guanzon. “Compugen is a company that shares that philosophy and Cisco is the
perfect partner to help us accomplish our goals.”
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