Spectrum Enterprise
Redefining Connectivity through Smart Spaces

Organizations are moving towards reinventing their operational ecosystems by leveraging the Internet of Things (IoT), connectivity and big data analytics to foster intuitive and efficient work environments. Often referred to as “smart spaces,” these environments perpetually gather and analyze data to improve efficiencies and enhance the experience of those using the areas. Spectrum Enterprise, a part of Charter Communications, is a national provider of scalable connectivity solutions serving more than 80 percent of Fortune 500 companies. It is helping organizations across industries achieve greater visibility into their physical and digital environments and optimize resources with customized smart technology solutions.

Foundational to implementing any smart space solution is having robust and reliable connectivity and a network infrastructure with the flexibility and scalability to support multiple IoT devices and sensors, along with the volume of data that these items generate. However, when it comes to recommending which specific technology equipment and configurations be incorporated into that framework, Spectrum Enterprise first learns more about the client’s business landscape and strategic objectives.

“When consulting with clients, I emphasize that harnessing smart spaces or IoT goes beyond mere technology. It entails aligning people, processes and technology. It's not a one-size-fits-all solution but a collaborative effort,” says Patricia Zullo, Senior Director of Smart Solutions at Spectrum Enterprise.

For instance, Spectrum Enterprise can help retail clients interested in better understanding and driving consumer engagement incorporate cameras with heat map functionality to match space utilization with shopping purchases. Sensors helping to monitor room temperature, humidity and air quality can also help ensure that shoppers have a good experience and that the merchandise is protected. As another example, the company can work with manufacturers to harness the power of environmental sensors, smart cameras and data analytics to improve proactive maintenance of equipment, bolster worker safety and manage inventory levels.

Furthermore, businesses across industries can benefit from reduced energy consumption through smart monitoring and automation of things like lights and temperature.

Spectrum Enterprise also offers comprehensive solutions for network management, such as Managed Network Edge. Serving as an all-in-one, modular networking solution, the company’s Managed Network Edge solution makes it easy to add on and deploy smart cameras and environmental sensors on top of other modern network services such as cybersecurity protections, routing, WiFi, SD-WAN and remote access. Cybersecurity protection is essential as more and more devices – such as sensors and cameras – have access to a network and routing is important given the number of applications that might be running simultaneously and the volume of data being generated, analyzed and stored. Solutions like Spectrum Enterprise Managed Network Edge make it easier for organizations with lean internal IT resources to make their plans for smart spaces a reality.

When consulting with clients, I emphasize that harnessing smart spaces or IoT goes beyond mere technology. It entails aligning people, processes and technology. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution but a collaborative effort.

Zullo advises clients to “think big, start small, scale fast” when it comes to smart deployments. The company’s prowess in connectivity (with industry-leading service level agreements and speeds up to 100 gigabits per second), its large and versatile network encompassing more than 230,000 fiber-route miles, and its consultative approach with clients looking to incorporate smart technologies such as cameras, environmental sensors and wearables demonstrate why it is recognized as a leading smart infrastructure solutions provider.