Future-proof network at Hotel Pulitzer Amsterdam

AI solves Wi-Fi problems before they are noticed

A well-functioning Wi-Fi connection is indispensable for a hotel. "Besides a good bed, this is one of the most important requirements of our guests," says Dominic de Boer, IT director at Pulitzer Amsterdam. "People don't just surf and work. Our guests want to be able to use all their phones and tablets at the same time to stream or play games." Together with Steven Blees, Enterprise Sales Director Benelux at Juniper Networks, and André van Dam, CEO at DeLorentz & Partners, he welcomed Hotelvak behind the scenes of the hotel. Here, they told how Juniper Networks' new AI-Native Networking solution optimises Pulitzer's network.

When Hotelvak arrives at the Pulitzer Amsterdam hotel on a beautiful spring day, preparations for the annual Garden Party are in full swing. De Boer points the way to the Merchant Suite. This new suite is spread over three floors and offers three bedrooms, three modern bathrooms, and a spacious living room. "Even for me, it is sometimes still searching to find my way around the hotel," the IT director says with a laugh. Because the hotel consists of 25 contiguous canal houses, navigating within the Pulitzer is a discovery in itself. 

Achieving a proper IT infrastructure was therefore no simple task. The major refurbishment of the hotel in 2015 provided an opportunity to tackle this properly. "We were able to cable the entire hotel to provide the best internet connection. All 225 rooms then got their own Access Point, as did the 30 public areas." One cloud-based interface makes it possible to monitor the status of the network.

Future-proof

For a long time, the network met all requirements, but after six years, problems arose with the old solution anyway. "Our guests were suffering from pixelated TV images when using the Chromecast. This problem was caused by the Access Points, so we started looking for a future-proof solution." Based on Pulitzer Amsterdam's specific requirements and wishes, ICT service provider DeLorentz & Partners designed a completely new network. CEO André van Dam: "This required different systems to be in contact with each other at set times. In addition, guests expect the same connectivity as at home. You therefore want to be ahead of complaints and solve problems immediately. Finally, the whole thing has to be safe and user-friendly." Juniper's solution soon came into the picture as a result. 

Proactive approach

The strength of Juniper Networks' AI-Native Networking Platform solution lies in its proactive approach to network problems. By collecting and analysing 150 different metrics, the AI engine can identify and solve potential problems before they affect the user experience. Blees explains: "This level of insight and proactivity ensures that the user experience always remains optimal. We don't want to wait for a complaint, but get ahead of it." AI can also identify security risks quickly, based on behavioural changes of devices.

Enhanced guest experience

The implementation of the new system went smoothly. "The new network has been running for about six months now," says De Boer. "Setting up the system only took a day, and then we replaced all the access points in a month. This was a matter of Plug & Play." The results are impressive: "There are no more failures on the televisions, and therefore no complaints or bad reviews. The new Wi-Fi system actually provides us with everything we need and more! The new network frees up time that we can spend on the guest. If we do have questions, we can even chat with the AI via Teams, but Juniper itself is also always available."

Scalable and suitable for any hotel

An additional advantage of the AI-Native Networking solution is its scalability and user-friendliness. According to Van Dam, the solution is suitable for any hotel, regardless of size. "From one access point to an infinite number, the cloud environment offers advantages for both large customers and smaller companies. A hotel does not need to have an IT department to get started with this Wi-Fi network. No pre-investment is necessary and the cost is market-based."

The new system also opens up opportunities for the future. "We might also want to start offering our customers a wayfinder," says De Boer. "Because our hotel consists of many different properties, it can be complicated to find a room number. It would be a godsend we could show the guest the way that way. For now, we are already very happy with Juniper Networks' AI-Native Networking solution."