Case Studies

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

English | Deutsch | Espanol

The Challenge:

The Smithsonian Institution, comprising more than 140 million artifacts and specimens of American culture, art, science and history, has been an American treasure since its founding in 1846. It includes sixteen museums and galleries and the National Zoo, and numerous research facilities in the U.S. and abroad. While the cultural treasures displayed within its walls are hundreds, even thousands of years old, the computers supporting Smithsonian operations are state-of-the-art systems. The challenge? As staff needs for connectivity grew, the Institution's systems slowed dramatically. It needed a cost-effective, reliable way to connect its Washington, D.C. campus.

LightPointe Solution:

LightPointe FlightSpectrum™ optical wireless products were installed, making it easy for Smithsonian staff to access mission-critical applications housed in another building. The Smithsonian chose LightPointe's FlightSpectrum because of its ability to transmit data at speeds up to 155 Mbps. The Institution installed a roof system to connect the Smithsonian office at L'Enfant Plaza with the administrative headquarters in the Castle, where the FlightSpectrum is installed behind windows inside the flag tower.

The Institution has since installed two additional LightPointe optical wireless systems.

LightPointe's optical wireless products — based on the latest in free-space optics (FSO) technology — are now at work in more than 60 countries, in 2,000-plus installations.

Sound Byte:

"The response we've gotten from LightPointe has been great. My installations were smooth and very professional, and our internal customers are definitely happy with the systems and speed. Once or twice a year I check their alignment, but otherwise I don't have to fool with them. They just keep working."
— Bill Price, Smithsonian Institution Communications Manager