Orchard Park's IT Transformation with Extreme Networks

How the hometown of the Buffalo Bills ushered in a new era of connectivity and confidence

The Town of Orchard Park, nestled in the heart of western New York, is no stranger to high traffic and high expectations—especially when the “Bills Mafia” takes over Highmark Stadium. In 2016, Paul Pepero stepped into the role of IT Director, inheriting an aging HP Aruba network that had grown increasingly difficult to manage. By 2024, it was clear: the town needed a modern, secure, and scalable network solution—one capable of supporting both daily municipal operations and game-day surges.

The Challenge: Outdated Infrastructure and Increasing Risk

When Pepero assumed his role, the network infrastructure was nearing obsolescence. Hardware was unsupported, firmware updates were no longer available, and every device required manual oversight.

“Some of the devices were no longer supported by HP,” Pepero explained. “Firmware updates weren’t being provided anymore, and every device required individual management. That really became a heavy lift.”

The Solution: A Strategic Partnership with IDL and Extreme Networks

To modernize the town’s IT backbone, Pepero partnered with local IT provider IDL and chose Extreme Networks for its innovation and centralized management capabilities.

Key Factors Driving the Decision:

• Local Expertise: IDL’s proximity offered immediate, hands-on support.
• Innovative Technology: Extreme’s Fabric technology and cloud-managed networking platform stood out for their simplicity and scalability.
• Collaborative Approach: The relationship emphasized transparency, training, and alignment from day one.

“With IDL being local to Orchard Park, it was a breath of fresh air,” Pepero said. “I liked the Fabric technology, the local support, and went with them to several presentations to meet both teams.”

A Layered Rollout for Minimal Disruption

With critical services like 911 on the line, the town adopted a phased implementation strategy. Over the course of a year, Extreme’s Fabric architecture was deployed across key municipal buildings.

“We took a strategic, measured approach,” noted Matt Gaudu, VP of Technical Services at IDL. “Extreme’s Professional Services team ensured everything was configured correctly from the start.”

The implementation included:

• Core Infrastructure: Deployment of top-of-rack switches and the foundational Fabric network.
• Wireless Expansion: Phased rollout of Extreme’s wireless access points.
• Expert Support: Continuous involvement from Extreme’s Professional Services to future-proof configurations.

The Results: Performance, Simplicity, and Future Readiness

The impact was immediate. The town realized a 30–35% increase in network performance and gained visibility and control through ExtremeCloud™ IQ.

“We’ve got one login to view our entire network footprint,” Pepero shared. “That’s a huge shift—and a great opportunity for the town.”

Operational Gains:

• Increased Efficiency: Faster access to servers and smoother data flow—even during stadium events.
• Unified Management: A centralized platform that reduced time spent on manual configurations.
• Public Safety Support: A future-ready infrastructure that enables technologies like body-worn cameras for the police department.

Collaboration That Delivered

The strength of the project lay in its collaboration. From initial discovery to daily on-site support, Extreme Networks and IDL became trusted partners.

“From the moment we met Extreme—at a Bills Stadium event—they’ve been front and center,” said Pepero. “They even guided us through financing with Extreme Capital and stayed on-site during rollout.” 

What’s Next for Orchard Park? 

With a future-proof, secure, and scalable network in place, Orchard Park is ready to grow—with confidence. 

“When I talk to peers in other towns, we all face similar IT challenges,” Pepero reflected. “With IDL and Extreme, we found the right solution and the right support—every step of the way.