Proving how valuable network connectivity is in today’s world, a newly completed Luxul system installation at Easy Street Records provides the store with a reliable solution for in-store streaming.
Recognized as one of the top record stores in the U.S., Seattle-based Easy Street Records has been open since 1988 and added a full-service cafe to enhance the shopping experience.
Not too long ago, the store partnered with consumer electronics company Sonos to integrate the company’s powered wireless speakers into its retail space. After the Sonos installation, however, the store ran into a problem of spotty in-store streaming audio reliability, which it tried to solve with a basic network extender.
After consulting with Kris Peterson of Sonos, Easy Street Records decided to make an investment in a more robust network.
Trade Show Provides Introduction to Luxul
“I knew of Luxul’s reputation, so I reached out to move towards a solution to improve the network within our own trade show booth [during a past CEDIA show],” states Peterson.
“I reached out to Luxul because I knew the situation at Easy Street Records was network-related and our experience with them at CEDIA made me believe they’d provide a high-quality, superior and reliable network.”
After analyzing the network situation, the network upgrade needed to support multiple data streams for guests, point-of-sale (POS) and the Sonos in-store streaming activities.
Helping to solve the network issues in addition to the new hardware the system design called for three virtual local area networks (VLANs) to help provide the necessary separation to help facilitate reliable connectivity.
Luxul Easy Street Records Network Features Gigabit Hardware & Remote Monitoring
Luxul’s vice president of marketing Mike Grubb and integrator Seth Stroh specified a Gigabit Epic 5 router, along with Luxul’s stackable AV Series AMS-4424P managed networked switch, to support the VLANs.
Grubba and Stroh recommended a pair of XAP-1510 wireless access points (WAPs) that incorporate Luxul’s 3×3 802.11ac dual-band with beamforming to support wireless data rates as high as 1,900 Mbps.[related]
For added reliability, the system also employs the Domotz remote networking monitoring platform which allows for remote system management.
“After getting off the phone with Kris [Peterson], I wanted to assemble a team of Luxul staff that could really take good care of Easy Street,” notes Grubb.
“We determined we could provide all the equipment and have it programmed and configured in-house. It arrived at Easy Street Records so Stroh could install, setup and be ready to go.”
Easy Street Records staff were surprised to find the box came pre-decorated with album art stickers.
“Seth [Stroh] and Luxul worked together to make this a very simple installation,” says Andy Nelson, vice president, Easy Street Records.
“The system was designed, configured, and tested before it was shipped to us. Once here, everything just needed to be unboxed, mounted and plugged in. By sending us a preconfigured, finished system, Luxul provided guaranteed performance and saved us from experiencing any system downtime, while issues were addressed.”
