PCET transforms campus connectivity with secure, scalable Wi-Fi, reducing network-related IT tickets by 35%
Established in 1990, Pimpri Chinchwad Education Trust (PCET) was created with the objective of providing quality education from kindergarten to post graduation. The Trust through its institutions serves society, industry and stakeholders through value-driven education across schooling, engineering, management, computer applications and other professional programs.
Industry:
Higher Education
Pimpri Chinchwad Education Trust (PCET) needed reliable, secure and scalable Wi-Fi across its growing educational ecosystem, where increasing user density and bandwidth-intensive applications were putting pressure on the existing limited wireless infrastructure. After evaluating multiple enterprise vendors, PCET selected RUCKUS for its strong RF performance, ease of management and scalability.
PCET deployed more than 630 RUCKUS access points across three major campuses, supported by Virtual SmartZone and RUCKUS One for centralised and remote network management. The solution now provides seamless connectivity across classrooms, hostels, lawns and reading halls, improves access to digital resources and has reduced network-related IT tickets by 35%.
The challenge : Deliver reliable, secure connectivity across a growing educational ecosystem
Across its campuses at Akurdi, Ravet and Pimpri Chinchwad University, PCET serves large student communities and offers specialized courses such as engineering, MBA, architecture, media and communication, MCA and PGDM. This scale created a clear need for reliable wireless connectivity that could support learning, mobility and constant access to information.
Before the RUCKUS deployment, limited wireless infrastructure made it difficult to provide students and faculty with access to many online resources. Information could not always be made available readily when required, and as the number of students and bandwidth-intensive applications continued to increase, scalability became a key requirement.
The IT team needed Wi-Fi that would not compromise on reliability or security. At the same time, the solution had to be relatively simple to operate with a lean IT team.
The solutions : Campus-wide wireless transformation with RUCKUS
The campuses initially deployed a limited number of access points in specific areas where wireless access was considered necessary. Over time, user demand increased and IT began receiving coverage-related complaints. PCET therefore decided to move toward campus-wide wireless coverage for its campuses.
After evaluating multiple enterprise vendors, PCET selected RUCKUS because of its ease of management, scalability and strong RF performance. RUCKUS patented technologies, including BeamFlex, helped provide the desired user experience and wireless stability across campus environments.
The deployment uses one Virtual SmartZone controller per campus and approximately 230+ access points at Akurdi, 100+ at Ravet and 300+ devices at Pimpri Chinchwad University. The access point portfolio includes R550, R650 and T350C models.
The solution extends seamless and secure connectivity to hostels, lawns, reading halls and other locations. RUCKUS DPSK technology provides a simple and secure access model compared with more complex 802.1X authentication for selected users. PCET also uses RUCKUS One, whose intuitive app enables remote campus network management for its campuses.
“Whether using ZoneDirector or RUCKUS One, the greatest advantage is the simplicity and ease of network management. The adaptive antenna technology in RUCKUS access points delivers exceptional RF performance, ensuring a reliable user experience even as bandwidth demands continue to grow. As a result, we have achieved an overall 35% reduction in network-related IT tickets while improving wireless performance and meeting end user satisfaction”
Ramkrishna Vadali, Head, IT & ITES, PCET
Key results : Why PCET chose RUCKUS for its campuses
- BeamFlex adaptive antenna technology for range, signal steering and reliable Wi-Fi performance.
- Product stability and upward scalability to meet future campus requirements.
- Simpler configuration and management through ZoneDirector/Virtual SmartZone and RUCKUS One.
- A full campus networking portfolio aligned with current and future requirements.
