Case

HRUC – Embarking on a journey to digital transformation

HRUC, one of the largest further education colleges in England, partnered with Conscia to unify its complex networks into a seamless, secure, and future-proof system. The upgraded Meraki-based solution delivers comprehensive indoor and outdoor Wi-Fi, zero-trust security, and cloud-based management, laying the foundation for a smart campus. This infrastructure supports flexible teaching, enhanced student welfare, and real-time campus insights. Graham Styles, IT Manager at HRUC, highlights how this transformation meets the expectations of today’s digitally native students and paves the way for innovative educational experiences.

Harrow, Richmond and Uxbridge Colleges (HRUC) is one of the largest further education colleges in England.

At the time of Conscia’s work with the group – prior to its merger with Richmond College – it was known as HCUC (Harrow College & Uxbridge College), serving 10,000 students across four campuses at Harrow on the Hill, Harrow Weald, Hayes, and Uxbridge.

The colleges wanted to ensure that all students had the ability to engage through seamless, reliable network connections. Conscia worked with HRUC to provide a solution that achieved this, and will enable the colleges to reimagine teaching for the future as they build towards the smart campus.

The Challenge

• Following the merger of Uxbridge and Harrow Colleges, HRUC wanted to move away from complex, disparate networks, to a unified, easy to manage system.
• Students and staff required consistent Wi-Fi coverage across all campuses – eliminating black spots and providing consistent connectivity.
• Security was also a key focus – with more users accessing the services wirelessly and remotely, HRUC needed a zero-trust, secure network.
• The solution needed to be future-proof, laying the foundations for HRUC to transition to a smart campus that will meet and exceed student expectations going forward.

Outcomes

• Comprehensive Wi-Fi in both indoor and outdoor spaces, enabling users to move seamlessly from place to place without losing connection.
• Upgraded, high density Wi-Fi architecture that supports flexible working and teaching.
• A zero-trust network, keeping access to all campuses safe and secure.
• The foundations of a smart campus that enables wayfinding, location-based messaging, real time visibility of use of spaces, and more.
• Cloud-based infrastructure management, allowing IT teams to work remotely when needed.
• Wi-Fi infrastructure that can support improved student welfare, safeguarding, and provide a consistently evolving and engaging student experience.

Solutions and Services

The underpinning solution was based on an end-to-end Meraki network, offering a simplified, unified cloud management platform. It included:

• Meraki Core, Distribution, and Edge Switching.
• Meraki Wireless – designed for location-based services, extending the value of the investment and driving extensive enhancement of the student experience through contextual based information, room utilisation, campus insights, and more.
• Meraki SMART Cameras – integrated into the dashboard, offering a robust set of security features.
• Meraki MT Sensors – providing environment monitoring of server rooms, managed via the same single dashboard and offering rich insights.
• Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) – a key part of the zero-trust architecture, providing policy-based access for staff, students, guests, and IoT devices.

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