Ronnie Pennington, Director of Sales for the Americas, Altronix explains how Cherokee Nation Entertainment (CNE) upgraded its legacy access control system.
What was Cherokee Nation Entertainment (CNE) trying to accomplish with this upgrade?
CNE aimed to modernise access control across 11 casinos and multiple hospitality properties while keeping all locations fully operational.
The goal was to replace aging infrastructure, meet strict casino compliance requirements and maintain continuous uptime in high-security, 24/7 environments.
Why was this project especially challenging?
The team had to navigate limited physical space, legacy equipment, regulatory requirements and nonstop traffic.
High-security zones – such as surveillance centres and restricted operations areas – required strict user permissions, layered access privileges and dependable infrastructure.
What issues did the existing access control system present?
The legacy system lacked the reliability, scalability and compact design needed to support CNE’s security operations.
CNE’s in-house integration team, led by Project Manager Jon Warden, needed a solution that fit tight spaces, met performance standards and supported future expansion.
Why did CNE select Altronix Trove for the upgrade?
After researching multiple options, the team chose DNA Fusion software and Mercury controllers and selected Altronix Trove to house and power the system.
Trove’s compact footprint – especially the Trove2 series – was often the only enclosure that physically fit the tight spaces in their existing infrastructure.
For many legacy areas, this meant Trove2 fit seamlessly without forcing construction changes or re-routing existing systems.
It was also cost-effective and met both performance and compliance needs. Project Manager Jon Warden commented: “Space was one of our biggest challenges. With Altronix Trove, we could support more doors without reworking our entire infrastructure.”
How did Trove help streamline deployment across multiple properties?
Trove2’s modular, standardised design supported up to 16 doors per enclosure, making it ideal for retrofitting space-constrained casinos and other applications.
CNE’s technicians prebuilt about 140 Trove enclosures in-house, creating an assembly-line process that improved efficiency across 11 high-security locations.
Trove allowed the team to standardise builds without sacrificing performance or security.
Using the same Trove layout across all properties also helped technicians work faster and reduced installation variability from site to site.
What benefits did Trove deliver during the project?
Trove provided a multitude of benefits:
- Space efficiency – the compact design fit tight mechanical areas and supported up to 16 doors per enclosure
- Streamlined deployment – more than 140 prebuilt units were deployed across 11 properties with consistent results
- Cost savings – existing spaces could be used as-is, reducing structural work and rewiring
- Scalability – modular layouts allow additional doors or hardware upgrades without major changes
Trove also provides a single point for service and maintenance, integrates Altronix power with controllers from over 50 access brands and is available in scalable wall-mount and rack-mount configurations, including pre-wired and pre-configured kits.
The modular format also gives CNE a clear path for expansion, whether they add doors, introduce new hardware or bring additional properties online.
How did Altronix customer support contribute to the project?
The support team assisted from early configuration through late-night diagnostics. Combined with Altronix’s lifetime warranty, this reliability helped ensure the entire deployment ran smoothly.
Warden noted: “Support has always been excellent, but honestly, the Altronix products just work.”
How did LINQ network management improve uptime?
Many Trove enclosures were equipped with LINQ2 modules, providing real-time power diagnostics, automated alerts and remote control capabilities.
LINQ monitored AC status, output current draw, DC voltage, battery condition, temperature and more – helping technicians address issues before they caused downtime. With LINQ, CNE could:
- Reset access devices remotely
- Diagnose issues without going on-site
- Maintain reliable battery backup
- Trigger automated actions during security events
This level of visibility is especially valuable in 24/7 gaming environments, where early detection helps avoid interruptions and reduces emergency service calls.
As Warden explained: “We aren’t guessing or reacting. We can see issues coming in and address them early.”
What was the overall outcome of the upgrade?
The project strengthened access control reliability across all CNE properties, modernised its infrastructure and set the foundation for future growth.
With Trove and LINQ at the core of the system, CNE is now positioned to expand into new properties and adapt to evolving security demands.
“With reliable products and responsive service, we make sure our partners can strengthen security without worrying about future challenges,” added Vincent Pancaldo, Marketing Director, Altronix.
