Olive oils the machinery of communication with Extreme.

The Organisation

Olive is at the forefront of the technological shift that is reshaping business communications. It is helping some of the best-known names in business to get apps, voice, data, and mobile services all working together. The company holds the highest partner accreditations with the UK’s leading network operators, carriers and IT vendors.

The Challenge

With all their technical know-how, you might expect the Olive team to sort out their own Wi-Fi infrastructure. But when you’re as busy as they are, it makes sense to leave the kind of specialist work involved in creating a secure wireless network to people who know the technology intimately.

Sean Sadler, IT Director for Olive, liked the look of Extreme’s controller-less architecture and consulted us about an installation at Olive’s High Wycombe headquarters.  In particular, the specification called for the ability to partition the Wi-Fi service to provide a separate guest network.

“We have between 60 or 70 people needing access on any given day,” says Sean. “As a company specialising in advanced technology solutions, we want to be sure clients visiting our premises get a great technology experience. 

“Wi-Fi is a key part of that – you kind of take it for granted that you’ll have Wi-Fi access on any serious business premises these days. Extreme gave us the security and easy control we needed to provide the service our team and our guests expect.“

The Solution

Olive were looking for a secure and reliable Wi-Fi network for their High Wycombe headquarters. The infrastructure needed to make provision for secure guest access to the service, without compromising the internal network.

We recommended Extreme AP121 access points, with Extreme ID Manager to provide the guest Wi-Fi service. Extreme’s controller-less architecture enables management and control without the need for a separate appliance.

“We’ve deployed our wireless infrastructure without adding significantly to our routine network management processes. Most importantly, our users report a reliable, high-speed service wherever they need to work on our premises.” Sean Sadler, IT Director, Olive Communications.

The Result

Extreme cloud-based management and control means you don’t have to install a separate appliance to manage the Wi-Fi network. The access points have built-in intelligence that automatically maintains coverage even in the event of the failure of a device – the next nearest access point takes over until the failed unit is repaired.

The guest network capability also draws on cloud technology, using Extreme’s ID Manager guest management system. ID Manager supports multiple secure guest profiles, from casual guests to fully secure temporary employees. It can integrate existing authentication systems and meet any regulatory compliance requirements.

“We’ve deployed our wireless infrastructure without adding significantly to our routine network management processes,” says Sean Sadler. “And most importantly, our users report a reliable, high-speed service wherever they need to work on our premises.

“We’re already looking at rolling out the Extreme solution across our other three locations around the UK.”