Xentry Systems Integration took center stage in the February issue of Security Sales & Integration magazine, showcasing their expertise in a cover story that highlighted a groundbreaking project at Ohio State University (OSU) Wexner Medical Center. This in-depth feature detailed Xentry’s pivotal role in developing a state-of-the-art communications infrastructure within the medical center’s new James Tower, a leading-edge cancer hospital and research facility.
Visiting the sprawling OSU campus in Columbus, Ohio, and witnessing the scale of innovation firsthand was an inspiring experience. The James Tower project, the largest construction endeavor in OSU history, represents a $1 billion investment in cutting-edge healthcare. During a comprehensive tour led by Xentry Systems’ executives Andre Greco (VP of Sales), Jesse Vroman (Healthcare Programs Manager), and Mike Balle (Account Executive), the intricacies of their $3.3 million systems integration project became vividly apparent.
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The project, initiated in January 2014 and spanning nearly a year, focused on creating a fully integrated nurse-call, life-safety, and paging system throughout the 1.1 million-square-foot James Tower. This ambitious undertaking demanded strict adherence to state building codes, national life-safety standards including UL1069, and the rigorous requirements of both the Joint Commission and OSU itself.
“The vision for this project, funded by OSU, was to establish the most technologically advanced critical cancer care hospital in the nation,” Mike Balle explained. “Our initial task was to provide, install, and integrate a system based on the university’s performance specifications. The second key component was delivering and integrating a comprehensive paging system that met stringent performance criteria. While the general contractor managed consulting, risk assessment, and design aspects, Xentry’s professional team of engineers, project managers, and sales personnel spearheaded the project coordination and execution.”
A particularly innovative aspect of Xentry Systems Integration’s work was the implementation of 465 dedicated VoIP talk paths for critical patient alarms. This sophisticated solution guarantees uninterrupted communication, eliminating the possibility of busy signals or dropped calls – a crucial feature in a critical care environment. Jesse Vroman emphasized the pioneering nature of this application, highlighting its significance for both Xentry and their technology partner, Ascom. The integrated system seamlessly blends three distinct product lines, a feat of engineering that Vroman noted would have conventionally required the involvement of multiple additional companies, underscoring Xentry’s advanced integration capabilities.
“We delivered a fully functional, cutting-edge system,” Vroman affirmed. “The feedback from OSU has been overwhelmingly positive, and we continue to collaborate with them, adding further functionalities and customizations as per their evolving needs.”
Beyond the James Tower project, Xentry Systems Integration provides a diverse range of solutions and services to OSU. Interestingly, their expertise extends beyond healthcare, even assisting the university’s baseball team with video analytics to refine hitting techniques. The success at the James Tower undeniably exemplifies Xentry’s commitment to excellence and their ability to deliver winning solutions across diverse applications, solidifying their position as leaders in systems integration.
