Summary
- Late-Stage Rescue Mission: Brought in during the final construction phase, our MSP addressed critical connectivity issues in a high-end waterpark, taking charge of the IT scope left uncertain due to the sudden departure of the VP of IT.
- Multifaceted Challenges: Faced with a lack of technical expertise, miscommunication among vendors, and a week without connectivity, we tackled significant hurdles, including the absence of data drops in two crucial locations due to a delinquent low voltage wiring contractor.
- Proactive Project Management: Implementing technical project management, we orchestrated collaboration among vendors, identified and procured necessary systems, and ensured the integration and deployment of Meraki equipment, preventing a potential failure of POS systems for 10 restaurant kiosks and the Water Bar.
- Swift Solutions for Connectivity: A hands-on approach involved bringing in a new wiring contractor, completing essential wiring, and installing Wireless Access Points, ensuring internet connectivity for POS systems and averting a crisis that could have compromised the waterpark’s grand opening.
- Successful Outcome: Through our efforts, the waterpark not only met its Grand Opening deadline but operated seamlessly during the event, generating revenue. Our comprehensive solution provided visibility into core systems, laying the groundwork for efficient management by the Tenant Service Center.
There were many parties involved and components that needed to be linked together to get us up and operational and all of our network requirements properly set up throughout the park. It took a lot of coordination, onsite meetings and zoom calls to get us to the finish line and be able to open all the kiosks for business as well as control the operations of the fountains and all the lighting.
The Project
Our journey with the National Landing Water Park began when we were brought in close to the end of construction to address connectivity issues related to JBG’s Tenant Service Center’s Building Automation Systems (BAS). The departure of a high-level IT executive left significant knowledge gaps, creating challenges in understanding system requirements that we needed to audit and understand prior to developing a project plan. The R3 team conducted an audit, revealing disconnections in communications and technical discrepancies. The project involved numerous vendors and technical conversations, making coordination increasingly complex. The Tenant Service Center, located in a central hub offsite, played a crucial role in monitoring HVAC systems for all buildings, necessitating a robust IT infrastructure and it was essential to the operational success of the National Landing Water Park that real-time communication was occurring between the park and the Tenant Service Center.
As the project neared completion, we faced a critical issue when a low voltage wiring contractor had not completed the wiring for two essential locations – Kiosk 10 and the Water Bar. These areas lacked data drops, jeopardizing the Point of Sale (POS) systems’ connectivity. With tight deadlines and the absence of leadership, the project was at risk of not meeting its Grand Opening date.
Challenges
The challenges were multifaceted. There was a lack of technical expertise, with gaps in knowledge and a significant skill deficit in the existing team. Coordinating numerous vendors posed a considerable challenge, compounded by the absence of a technical project manager. A week without connectivity further escalated the stress, demanding quick solutions. The low voltage wiring contractor’s failure to complete the necessary wiring jeopardized the connectivity for two critical locations, leaving us walking into a myriad of challenges and a tight deadline for a high-stakes situation.
R3 was great to work with and was a huge help in bringing this project to the finish line.
R3SOLUTION
Taking a hands-on approach, we provided technical project management and service delivery. This involved identifying and procuring necessary systems, including Meraki Firewall and Switches, to meet the project deadline. Recognizing a lack of a true technical project manager, we initiated and led calls with all technical vendors, fostering collaboration and ensuring the integration and deployment of JBG’s Meraki equipment.
Addressing the low voltage wiring challenge, we swiftly brought in a new contractor (DWT) to complete the wiring for Kiosk 10 and the Water Bar, installing Wireless Access Points to enable internet connectivity for the Toast POS systems. Our proactive approach prevented the failure of the POS systems for all 10 restaurant kiosks and the Water Bar to access their cloud-based systems via the internet.
Additionally, we installed a Meraki firewall to provide secure internal access to Water Park Systems and facilitated connectivity to the underground vault, ensuring controls and pump systems had the necessary connectivity.
R3 was an integral part in making everything happen and assisted in resolving multiple issues to get the network set up how it needed to be set up.
R3SULTS
Thanks to our comprehensive solution, all restaurants, including the Water Bar, successfully operated during the Private Grand Opening Event, and the waterpark opened for business on time the following day, generating revenue. We provided JBG with visibility into all core systems, including HVAC, water fountains, and lighting. Our efforts not only met the immediate connectivity needs but also laid the foundation for the efficient management, monitoring, and maintenance of the waterpark’s systems by the Tenant Service Center.
The hands-on technical leadership of the R3 team, effective project management, and proactive problem-solving ensured the waterpark’s IT infrastructure was not only completed on time but surpassed expectations, enabling a successful grand opening and the seamless operation of all food service areas.
