Aruba Case StudyMISSION CEED

Aruba Instant solution empowers entrepreneurial incubator andco-working facility to develop #GenMobile workforce

Moving a historically disadvantaged area to prosperity

depends on developing an STEAM (Science,

Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) focused

workforce, which Alex Meade and Daniel Silva are

pursuing with laser-focus.

“After designing our own version of ‘Shark Tank’ for

local start-ups, we quickly noticed relatively few

incorporated technology in their business plans,”

explains Meade, CEO of the Mission, Texas, Economic

Development Corporation.

“Whenever we asked why,” says COO Silva, “the consistent response was ‘we don’t know how.’”

Technology Key to Establishing CEED

During ensuing efforts to alleviate the tech-deficit

paradigm, Mission EDC began discussing options

for establishing a facility where it could create a

complete education, entrepreneurship and

technology ecosystem. Serendipitously, a former

department store building became available right

next to City Hall.

“Although our organization had entrepreneurship

and education expertise, we contacted a well-

regarded local integrator, Frontera Consulting to

assist with the technology aspect,” Meade says.

“They designed, engineered, modeled,

recommended, integrated, configured, and installed

our network.”

After assisting Mission with identifying requirements, Frontera recommended wireless solutions from

Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company.

Soon, plans for the Center for Education and Economic Development (CEED) began taking shape.

Aruba Provides Enterprise Solution on a Non-Profit Budget

Our complete Aruba Instant solution is working flawlessly. We’re excited for what thefuture holds.ALEX MEADE, CEO, MISSION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

To ensure Mission EDC’s ultra-lean 4-person staff could sustainably supply programing and provide

entrepreneurs with low-cost office and collaborative workspaces, reliable and high-performance

infrastructure topped the requirements list for the 55,000 sq. ft. CEED.

Additionally, Mission desired streamlined technology administration as the organization lacked an

internal IT department.

For Wi-Fi, Mission selected 802.11ac and Wave 2-enabled Aruba Instant access points and AirWave for

network management. To connect Aruba Instant APs to the wired network, and power them efficiently

with Power over Ethernet (PoE), MEDC also chose the 5400R Switch Series.

Other HPE and HP, Inc., solutions were also adopted at the #GenMobile incubator. This included

servers, storage, data center switches, virtual desktops, monitors and related equipment.

“We took a comprehensive, long-range approach, by including solutions that addressed the needs of

today and tomorrow,” says Drew Lentz, Founder and Owner of Frontera.

Self-provisioning Aruba Instant loaded with smarts

By using Aruba’s self-configuring Instant APs, even

small organizations like MEDC gain a scalable

enterprise WLAN, loaded with the security and

smarts, without breaking the budget. Aruba Instant

APs supply zero-touch provisioning and include an

HPE Smart Rate multi-gig uplink to boost network

performance in high-density environments like

CEED’s collaborative workspaces, lecture hall and

conference rooms.

To fully leverage Aruba Instant’s Wave 2 capabilities,

the 5400 zl series switches provide HPE Smart Rate

multi-gigabit Ethernet ports to deliver high-speed

mobile experiences. AirWave ensures an optimized

network, supplies proactive monitoring and enables

effective planning as needs change.

A future-proof solution for IoT and other needs

Each of the deployed solutions also contribute to future-proofing CEED. “For example, the

infrastructure provides connectivity for Internet of Things (IoT) systems, like automated window

coverings to improve energy efficiency,” says Frontera’s Lentz.

“Instant APs enhanced operational efficiency,” he continues. “Should capacity needs change, requiring

additional APs, a non-technical person can just plug them in.”

Exceptional Mobile Experiences Help CEED Grow

Today, CEED includes 20 office spaces, a theatre-style lecture hall, conference rooms, a board room,

smart classrooms and a computer lab, along with collaborative workspaces. Mission EDC has even

grown to a staff of 10 to serve all of the new needs.

“In addition to renting office and group spaces, we make the 285 co-working seats available on a

membership basis,” Silva says. “To hit our revenue targets, we intend to grow the facility and our

programming to around 900 people daily.”

“To ensure so many people can fully utilize our facility, we depend on our technology infrastructure to

supply exceptional mobile experiences,” he adds.

Exploring location-based services for operational support

Serving hundreds of visitors has surfaced new operational issues. To assist, Mission is investigating

location-based services.

“Even though our headcount has more than doubled, to 10 people, staying ahead of consumables like

restocking the restrooms and refilling the printers, is unfamiliar for us,” Silva points out. “Combining

IoT with location-based services can help us proactively anticipate these and other maintenance

needs.”

Facility Successes Draw National Buzz

Although only open a few months, demand for CEED space is strong. Plus, a growing list of Mission

EDC programs are already delivering on the center’s promises.

“Several businesses call the facility home,” Meade says. “We also see steady flow of individuals

interested in our co-working space, along with an increasing number of community organizations such

as our area’s school districts.”

“Our own programing, combined with that of partner entities, is not only making a palpable impact on

our immediate community, but also on the lives of people throughout the Rio Grande Valley,” he adds.

Funding, recognition fueled by tech excellence

What’s more, the CEED concepts and technologies are attracting regional and national attention to

Mission, including the Texas Workforce Commission’s first grant specifically targeted to teach

computer science. “The technology we’ve deployed played a huge role in gaining those funds,” says

Meade.

Further, after the prominent bank BBVA Compass opened an office within CEED, CEO Manolo Sánchez

visited the facility. “He’s very impressed with our mobility focus,” Silva says. “As mobility is a key

initiative at BBVA, Sánchez directed a related team of individuals to travel to Mission and tour CEED

immediately to gain insights. We hosted them a week later.”

Scalability to meet any new need

Moving forward, infrastructure flexibility and reliability will continue playing a critical role. “We’re

confident our scalable technology can meet the needs of any tenant,” Meade says.

“For example, a game developer recently moved into the center,” he continues. “It’s placing demands

on our technology we didn’t originally expect. However, our Aruba and HPE infrastructure is meeting

the needs of this firm, and our other tenants, flawlessly.”

“Overall, we’re excited for what the future holds,” Meade says.

REQUIREMENTS

High-density, scalable, reliable Wi-Fi

Streamlined management

Cost-effective and sustainable

SOLUTION

802.11ac Wave 2 Aruba Instant APs

Aruba switches with HPE Smart Rate

AirWave for network management

HPE infrastructure solutions

HP Inc. desktop, monitors and other equipment

BENEFITS

High-performance 802.11ac-enabled Wi-Fi blankets 55,000 sq. ft. facility

Provides mobile connectivity serving up to 900 tenants and visitors daily.

Supports addition of IoT systems for operational efficiencies.

Enables future adoption of location-based services.

Delivers seamless experiences throughout workspaces, conference rooms and lecture hall.

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