For one of the world’s leading hospitality companies, seamless connectivity isn’t just an expectation—it’s mission-critical. Every guest check-in, dining reservation, and gaming transaction depends on a fast, reliable, and secure network. Increasingly, in hospitality, the speed, efficiency, and reliability of the network are key enablers of the client experience. A lagging connection can mean delays at the front desk, interruptions in point-of-sale transactions, or security vulnerabilities—directly impacting guest satisfaction and operational efficiency.
But as digital demands grew, their aging infrastructure struggled to keep pace. That’s where Arctiq, a premier Cisco Gold partner, stepped in.
The Challenge:
A Network Stuck in the Past
The company’s legacy network—built on aging hardware and manual configurations—had become a bottleneck for innovation. IT teams were stretched thin, managing thousands of connected devices, from corporate workstations to slot machines, while also troubleshooting security gaps and connectivity issues.
A transition to Cisco Software-Defined Access (SDA) offered the perfect solution: an intelligent, secure, and automated network that would enhance security, simplify operations, and future-proof infrastructure. However, executing this transformation in a high-traffic, 24/7 environment presented a significant challenge.
The Solution:
Arctiq’s Expertise in Action
As a leading Cisco partner with deep technical expertise, Arctiq worked closely with the client’s IT teams to design, implement, and optimize a next-generation network tailored to their needs. The migration wasn’t just about new hardware—it was about strategic transformation, ensuring long-term scalability, security, and efficiency, while directly improving the guest experience.
Key Highlights of the Migration:
- Deployed over 150 Cisco network switches to support more than 3,000 corporate devices and 1,000+ slot machines on the casino floor —ensuring smooth, uninterrupted service.
- Implemented Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) for centralized security policies, ensuring only authorized devices could access the network, reducing risk without slowing down operations.
- Leveraged Cisco Catalyst Center APIs to automate network configurations, reducing human error and accelerating deployments —leading to faster response times for guests and staff.
- Optimized performance with VXLAN, LISP, and OSPF, creating a more scalable and resilient network that could support real-time transactions and high-bandwidth applications.
- Introduced micro and macro segmentation using Scalable Group Tags (SGT) and virtual network architecture, enhancing security and traffic isolation while maintaining seamless user experiences.
Arctiq worked in partnership with the client’s IT teams, providing hands-on guidance, reliable support, and a structured migration plan. The project required meticulous execution, including after-hours cutovers, to ensure zero disruption to business operations.
Overcoming Challenges with Precision
The scale and complexity of the migration required technical excellence and operational agility. Key hurdles included:
- Endpoint Profiling Complexity: With thousands of endpoints, from POS terminals to IoT devices, identifying and authenticating each device was a challenge. Arctiq developed custom scripts to automate endpoint discovery, minimizing downtime and ensuring a smooth transition.
- 24/7 Casino Operations: The migration had to be executed with surgical precision, balancing the needs of multiple business units. Arctiq’s team implemented a rotating resource schedule and real-time troubleshooting, ensuring seamless cutovers during night shifts.
- Tight Timelines & Coordination: Weekly strategy meetings kept the project on track, aligning Arctiq’s expertise with the client’s IT teams to address roadblocks and accelerate decision-making.
The Results:
A Future-Ready Network
The Cisco SDA transformation delivered game-changing results:
- Seamless connectivity across corporate, gaming, and hospitality operations, leading to an improved guest experience with fewer delays and disruptions.
- Centralized, automated management, reducing IT workload and accelerating response times.
- Advanced security with ISE-driven authentication, segmentation, and policy enforcement, protecting sensitive guest data and business operations.
- Scalability for the future, with a standardized SDA template for rollouts across additional properties, ensuring consistency and operational efficiency.
A Lasting Partnership for Success
Arctiq’s role extended beyond implementation—they provided ongoing support, training, and strategic guidance to ensure the client’s IT team could confidently manage and expand their new Cisco SDA network.
One senior IT leader commented, “Your resilience and dedication, especially during those challenging night shifts, have been a testament to your hard work and unwavering commitment.”
With a modern, automated network now in place, this hospitality giant is positioned for future growth, innovation, and an enhanced client experience—where speed, reliability, and efficiency are at the heart of every guest interaction.
