DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE AWARD 2016 CASE STUDY
Austria Center Vienna (ACV)
The Austria Center Vienna is one of the top players on the international conference circuit. In 2016 alone the venue will welcome around 91,000 delegates at 10 large-scale international congresses. The Center is headed by Chief Executive Officer Susanne Baumann-Söllner.
The Austria Center Vienna is Austria’s largest congress and event centre with 42,000sqm of event space including 22,000sqm of exhibition space.
The Center has invested heavily in seamless, high-availability wireless local area network (WLAN) infrastructure to facilitate optimal networking among participants and support paperless congresses, live HD streaming and hybrid meeting formats.
A seamless, high-availability WLAN for 20,000 users or 35,000 simultaneous connections from multiple devices gives event organisers access to a truly unique IT infrastructure package.
EFFECTIVE DIGITAL STRATGEY
A seamless, high-availability WLAN for 20,000 users or 35,000 simultaneous connections from multiple devices gives event organisers access to a truly unique IT infrastructure package. The system’s appeal also stems from its fast download speeds. It delivers unlimited internet access irrespective of the type, age and origin of the device being used. Our system allows users to simply log in, start networking or work as if they were in their own home or office.
MULTI-FUNCTIONAL SCREEN SYSTEM
More than 100 full-HD screens and projectors throughout the building
4K screen (54”) in the Business Lounge
Optimal digital signage and targeted sponsor exposure
Dynamic display of multifunctional content, with a choice of display times
Available as agenda screens in combination with slide centre solutions, for use in overflow areas and as social media walls
GREEN MEETINGS & PAPERLESS CONFERENCES
The first completely paper-free conference staged at the Austria Center Vienna attracted 3,500 delegates and used 3,000 iPads.
At the first 'paperless congress' in 2014, 3,000 iPads were handed out to participants, replacing traditional materials such as a printed agenda. This facilitated socialising, meeting planning and announcement of last minute changes.
These devices connected flawlessly using the existing WiFi infrastructure without making any changes to it. Both the app for the event and bring your own device (BYOD) were fully supported.
OPTIMUM DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ALL EVENT FORMATS…
Outstanding network structure for hybrid meetings: At the 2016 European Congress of Radiology (ECR) all sessions were streamed online in real time on an ECR Online platform, which raised the overall number of participants thanks to the addition of 6,000 live online users.
Innovative media centre solutions for live TV broadcasts: Live streams from reporters at the Austria Center Vienna can be broadcast in real time on any TV channel.
Digital presentation tools: These include the Presenting Interactive Content® (PICO) tool developed by Copernicus Meetings in collaboration with H82. PICO combines the advantages of traditional lectures and poster displays. In 2016 the tool finished in the top three at the international IAPCO Innovation Awards.
Tracking the Delegate Journey: Using an external vendor called Waytation, we are able to capture and analyse visitor streams and measure participant interaction at conferences and exhibitions which allows us to identify and measure your delegates’ needs. We monitor all movements of delegates with up to 100% coverage for all desired event-areas.
1,500 permanently cabled LAN connections throughout the building: All offices and meeting rooms are equipped with 1 gigabit floor, wall and ceiling network sockets as standard.
UNRIVALLED WIFI
Free 100MB WLAN for your event: A truly unique international selling point. Upgrades to higher Mbit/s rates are available at extremely competitive prices.
40 gigabit backbone lines and a total of 97 HD access points throughout the main building and exhibition halls ensure high-quality, uninterrupted wireless connectivity for up to 500 participants (between 2.4 and 5GHz; 802.11 AC).
True flat rate for unlimited internet access, upload and download: Visitors can network digitally and easily search, download and process larger amounts of data with no volume restrictions. 6TB downloads and 2TB uploads are far from unusual at the Austria Center Vienna.
No bottleneck issues: The system supports devices from any manufacturer or region as well as older technologies without limiting other users’ functionality.
Internet access for an entire city at the Austria Center Vienna: The requirements of large-scale conferences are as complex as those of a major city like London – the Austria Center Vienna’s wireless network satisfies these needs down to the last detail, in an extremely limited space.
OUTSOURCING TO SPECIALISTS
The Austria Center Vienna operates and provides its award winning WLAN infrastructure with the support and expertise of a trusted international IT Partner H82 an international full-service provider of technical equipment and support services for congresses. The company draws on its extensive IT experience, state-of-the-art IT equipment, its own rental inventory and is part of a strong network. Its clients have access to custom IT solutions that match their precise specifications and can draw on expert technical support at every stage of the event – from initial planning to execution. The expert team of consultants and technicians working under CEO Johann Weck guarantees first-class results.
Austria Centre Vienna have partnered with the H82 team due to:
Compact, reliable and highly professional team
Available on-site to respond quickly to all requests and problems
In-depth understanding and outstanding knowledge of the requirements of the conference and event industry
Delivers targeted IT services
Provides support from day one as part of your organisation team
Works closely with the Austria Center Vienna IT team, providing access to fully integrated IT solutions
Easy to work with, flexible, solutions-driven – and dedicated to making your event a success