SMC Networks' wireless networking products are providing connectivity to the players' tent at the 84 Lumber Classic of Pennsylvania, this week's stop for the PGA Tour.
The tour takes place Sept. 15-21 at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa in Farmington, PA.
An EZ Connect Turbo 2.4GHz 11/22 Mbps Auto-Sensing Wireless Bridge (SMC2482W), initiates wireless connectivity from the wired hotel network, and an SMC 2.4GHz High-Gain Antenna Ceiling Box Kit (SMCANT-CEILINGBOX) ensures that the connection is strong and clean all the way out to the concierge station at the players' tent-between 300 and 400 yards away. Players use the tent as a locker room, dining facility and escape, so concierge services are in demand there.
At the concierge station at the players' tent, hotel staff use notebook computers equipped with SMC's EliteConnect 2.4GHz 802.11b High Power Wireless PC Card (SMC2532W-B) to connect to the hotel network to order services, make reservations, and perform other concierge functions for PGA players, officials and guests without having to make phone calls or leave the tent.
"We tested several different vendors' products to set up this network: Cisco, Orinoco, even SOHO vendors like Linksys and NetGear," says Aaron Raffle, president and CEO of Aaron M. Raffle & Associates, Inc., the firm that set up the system for the event at Nemacolin.
"Frankly, the SMC solution had the best signal strength and overall quality. Their staff had a lot to do with it, too," adds Raffle. "They were by far the most helpful. SMC's support staff interacted with us like members of the team."
After this year's 84 Lumber Classic concludes, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa plans to use the wireless network to support other functions and events, as well as to set up remote check-in stations during busy times.
SMC is a provider of networking solutions for the Enterprise, the SMB and all the way home.
SMC is based in Irvine, CA. For more information visit www.smc.com.
