Major Water Utility Modernizes Headquarters Wireless Infrastructure from Assessment Through Implementation
A major public water utility company operating from a 60,000 square foot headquarters facility in Denver, Colorado engaged CONVX for a comprehensive wireless network modernization project.
A national water utility company · client anonymized · Project · Standard engagement · 3 min read
Client Overview
A major public water utility company operating from a 60,000 square foot headquarters facility in Denver, Colorado engaged CONVX for a comprehensive wireless network modernization project. The engagement followed a structured assessment-to-implementation approach, ensuring the final deployment was grounded in thorough RF analysis and data-driven design decisions.
Business Challenge
The client's existing wireless network at their corporate headquarters was unable to meet the demands of modern workplace operations:
Inadequate Wireless Coverage: The existing wireless infrastructure suffered from coverage gaps and inconsistent signal quality across the 60,000 square foot facility, impacting employee productivity and the reliability of mobile applications used by utility operations staff.
Legacy Equipment Limitations: Aging wireless access points and switches could not support the density and bandwidth requirements of modern wireless devices, video conferencing, and cloud-based applications that the organization increasingly depended upon.
No Baseline RF Data: Without a professional wireless site survey and RF analysis, the client lacked the data needed to make informed decisions about access point placement, channel planning, and infrastructure requirements for a successful wireless refresh.
CONVX Solution Approach
CONVX delivered a two-phase engagement progressing from comprehensive assessment through full implementation.
Phase 1: Wireless Network Assessment
Predictive RF Modeling: Using Ekahau Connect professional survey tools, CONVX created predictive wireless models of the facility, designing optimal access point placement based on building construction, floor plans, and coverage requirements.
Live RF Survey: Our engineers performed on-site live RF surveys capturing actual signal propagation data, channel utilization, and interference patterns to validate and refine the predictive models.
Professional Design Documentation: CONVX delivered comprehensive documentation including floor plan overlays, access point placement designs, coverage analysis maps, and signal strength assessments providing the client with a data-driven foundation for investment decisions.
Phase 2: Wireless and Switch Network Implementation
Building on the assessment findings, CONVX executed a complete wireless and switched network deployment.
Aruba Switch Infrastructure: We implemented Aruba 6100 and 6300M series switches providing the high-performance backbone needed to support modern wireless access points with adequate PoE budget and port density.
Wireless Access Point Deployment: CONVX installed and configured 21 Aruba wireless access points managed through Aruba Central cloud controller, delivering comprehensive coverage across the entire facility.
Network Design and Configuration: We designed and implemented VLAN segmentation, network security policies, directory integration, guest access authentication, and administrative access controls aligned with utility industry security requirements.
Post-Installation Validation: After deployment, CONVX performed a live post-installation survey using Ekahau tools to verify that actual wireless performance met or exceeded the design specifications, tuning configurations as needed.
Technology Implementation
Wireless Infrastructure:
- Aruba wireless access points (21 units)
- Aruba Central cloud-based wireless controller
- Ekahau Connect and Sidekick survey tools
- RF predictive modeling and live survey validation
Network Switching:
- Aruba 6100 Series switches
- Aruba 6300M Series switches (up to 7 units total)
- VLAN segmentation and security policies
- PoE infrastructure for wireless access points
Security and Management:
- Directory integration for user authentication
- Guest access authentication system
- Administrative access policies
- Network security controls
Business Outcomes
Complete Wireless Coverage: The modern Aruba wireless infrastructure provides reliable, high-performance coverage across the entire 60,000 square foot headquarters, eliminating coverage gaps that previously impacted operations.
Data-Driven Design: The assessment-first approach ensured every access point placement decision was backed by professional RF analysis, avoiding the costly trial-and-error common in wireless deployments that skip proper site surveys.
Cloud-Managed Simplicity: Aruba Central cloud management provides the client's IT team with centralized visibility and control over the wireless environment without requiring on-premises management infrastructure.
Validated Performance: Post-installation survey verification confirmed that the deployed network meets design specifications, giving the client confidence in the investment and establishing a baseline for future optimization.
CONVX Expertise Demonstrated
This assessment-through-implementation engagement demonstrates CONVX's disciplined approach to wireless network projects, where professional RF analysis drives design decisions rather than guesswork. Our Ekahau-certified survey capabilities combined with deep experience in enterprise wireless platforms like Aruba enable us to deliver wireless networks that perform reliably from day one.
The project also highlights CONVX's ability to serve critical infrastructure organizations where network reliability directly impacts public service delivery, applying the same rigorous methodology used across our government, healthcare, and utility sector engagements.