FlatTurtle Blog
26 August 2024, 16:23
Blue Tower, a mixed-use building located on the Avenue Louise in Brussels, Belgium, is one of the most striking and prestigious office towers in the Brussels skyline. Originally designed by architect Henri Montois in a functionalist/modernist style, the Blue Tower offers large, divisible office floor spaces of around 987 square metres. BNP Paribas Real Estate Belgium, acting as the property manager, faced challenges with the outdated and fragmented network infrastructure of the building.
BNP Paribas Real Estate needed a single provider to manage the growing network of the building. They aimed to modernise the entire network, eliminate redundant lines and consolidate everything into a streamlined system. Additionally, they wanted to provide stable WiFi connectivity to guests in shared spaces such as the fitness centre, lobby and meeting rooms, ensuring productivity for both guests and tenants.
FlatTurtle began with a detailed investigation to map out the existing network, identifying pain points and devising a strategy for seamless integration and upgrade. They ordered a brand new 1Gbit internet line with a 4G backup, ensuring robust and reliable connectivity. This upgrade was a significant step toward modernising the building’s internal network capabilities.
Modern hardware was installed, including a router and firewall, switches, and 13 WiFi access points strategically placed throughout shared spaces. This extensive coverage ensured that every shared corner of Blue Tower had reliable and fast internet access. To enhance network security and efficiency, FlatTurtle implemented separate VLANs to segregate various network functions. This ensures, for example, that access and badge systems are kept separate from the guest network, and the internal WiFi network for smart fitness equipment was secured from prying eyes.
FlatTurtle meticulously planned the transition from the existing Proximus BBox to the new network, executing the migration one network at a time to prevent downtime. This careful approach minimised disruption to the building’s operations. During the transition, FlatTurtle identified and categorised old BBoxes and unused lines, providing BNP Paribas Real Estate with a clear plan to cancel redundant contracts. By consolidating five active internet lines into a single, high-speed line, FlatTurtle significantly reduced the monthly internet connection fees, delivering substantial cost savings.
FlatTurtle’s involvement didn’t end with the installation and migration. They actively manage the network, keeping all devices up to date, managing the firewall, and providing ongoing support. Whether it’s resolving issues or connecting new devices, FlatTurtle ensures that Blue Tower’s network remains secure, efficient, and reliable.
“FlatTurtle’s expertise and professionalism have been in enhancing the connectivity at Blue Tower. Their solutions have exceeded our expectations, significantly improving our network reliability and performance. We are excited to continue our partnership with them.” - Jean-Sébastien Bachelart
BNP Paribas Real Estate Belgium is the real estate division of BNP Paribas Group. It is one of the leading international real estate providers, offering a comprehensive range of services including transaction management, property management, and valuation. The company manages real estate assets in Belgium on behalf of many clients. BNP Paribas Real Estate has several offices in Belgium, and operates across the country providing real estate services.
FlatTurtle started in 2012 as a cloud-based digital signage provider, visualising Belgian open data through the iRail not-for-profit and showcasing the accessibility of office spaces in terms of public transportation. Since then, FlatTurtle has expanded to incorporate various other useful tools and services for commercial real estate. Besides digital signage, they provide WiFi in shared spaces, shared meeting room kit-out (audio, video, presentation), internet connectivity, secure building connections, and secure device connections (from front desk reception desktops to IoT, CCTV, or HVAC hardware). FlatTurtle offers an A to Z solution, including procurement, cabling, and project management.
FlatTurtle’s comprehensive network revamp for Blue Tower transformed the building’s connectivity landscape. By upgrading the infrastructure, implementing advanced security measures, and delivering ongoing management, FlatTurtle enabled BNP Paribas Real Estate to provide a modern, secure, and cost-effective network solution for its tenants. This project highlights FlatTurtle’s expertise in delivering tailored, high-performance network solutions for commercial real estate.