Case Study

Newton Assisted Living Facility Upgrades Wireless Access Points to Improve Network Access

Intro

An assisted living facility in Newton, MA contacted KTS for help with connectivity issues inside the facility. Connecting to the network was increasingly spotty, causing frustration among staff and residents.

The Work

The facility had wireless access points (WAPs) located in the hallways. Sometimes, the signal would not extend into the individual residences. In common areas, the signal would get interrupted as residents and staff moved about the building.

KTS recommended upgrading and relocating the existing WAPs to better locations, as well as adding new ones throughout the facility, including in each individual residence.

The work also required two new wiring closets which KTS designed and installed, working with the facility’s IT department to make all the equipment fit in the designated spaces. Part of accomplishing this work included replacing an equipment rack in the basement of the facility and moving all the equipment to the new rack. In order to complete this part of the project, a rolling shutdown was scheduled to last four hours. KTS was able to complete the installation of the rack and transfer of equipment with just a 90 minute rolling shutdown, far exceeding expectations. In just six weeks, KTS installed two new wiring closets and 86 wireless access points in the facility.

Challenges

KTS needed to coordinate with facility staff to enter each residence to install the WAPs, and make sure that the residents were minimally disrupted and that no trace was left behind.

Additionally, each residence had solid ceilings, so the KTS technicians needed to find the right place to make a small hole to pull the cabling into each residence, install the WAP and seal the holes with appropriate fireproof material that is required in such buildings. Using flex cameras, they were able to see above the solid ceiling, locate and avoid obstructions and install the cable in each location. All penetrations were properly fire-stopped.

Benefits/Impact

In just six weeks, KTS installed two new wiring closets and 86 wireless access points in the facility. This includes new wireless access points inside each apartment, allowing all the residents reliable connectivity in their residences. New access points in common areas allowed staff, residents and visitors to easily connect to the network. Everyone at the assisted living facility is enjoying connectivity they can rely on throughout the facility.