Fiber and Cloud Services Increase Efficiencies for YMCA of Greater Des Moines
A decade-long technology partnership connects 10 YMCA locations across Greater Des Moines with unified cloud infrastructure, secure networks, and back-office solutions that scale with the mission.
Partnership Overview
Managing Technology Across 10 Locations — One Location at a Time
The YMCA of Greater Des Moines serves more than 50,000 members across eight full-facility YMCAs and two additional facilities in Central Iowa. With more than 200 employees and hundreds of volunteers, reliable technology isn't optional — it's what lets the Y focus on its mission. But after years of managing IT internally, the cracks were showing.
Each branch operated as its own technology island: WiFi at every location ran off a single DSL line, T1 connections capped bandwidth, and even a simple task like changing a WiFi password meant physically visiting each site. There was no centralized management, no shared infrastructure, and no path to scale. The Y needed more than a vendor — they needed a partner who understood where they were going.
Fragmented WiFi Infrastructure
Each location ran on its own DSL line with no shared management. Password changes, updates, and troubleshooting required on-site visits to every branch — individually.
T1 Bandwidth Bottlenecks
Legacy T1 connections couldn't support the Y's growing staff, member WiFi demand, and cross-location data needs — limiting productivity and member experience alike.
No Centralized IT Management
Applications, user accounts, and network settings were siloed by location. There was no unified platform from which IT could manage operations across all 10 sites.
Vendor Without Vision
"We didn't just need a company to come in," said VP Steve Gruening. "We needed a company to understand who we were, what we were about, and where we were going."
One Centralized Technology Environment for the Entire Y
Aureon worked alongside the Y to design and implement a unified technology environment — moving from fragmented, location-by-location infrastructure to a centrally managed platform hosted at the Aureon Data Center. The transformation spanned cloud computing, WiFi, and fiber connectivity.
Through the Aureon Cloud Suite, all applications now run from a single pool of centralized resources accessible from any branch. Centrally managed WiFi replaced individual DSL connections, and fiber optic upgrades replaced T1 lines — with intelligent bandwidth segmentation keeping corporate and member networks separate and performant.
Aureon Cloud Suite
All Y applications are centralized in the cloud and accessible over the internet from any branch — eliminating the need for on-premise servers at each location.
Centrally Managed WiFi
All 10 locations now connect through a WiFi system housed at the Aureon Data Center. Organization-wide changes — like updating a password — take seconds from a single interface.
Fiber Optic Upgrade
T1 lines were replaced with high-speed fiber optic connections, delivering the bandwidth needed for cloud applications, staff systems, and member WiFi to run reliably side by side.
Segmented Corporate & Member Networks
Aureon split bandwidth between corporate users and Y members — keeping business-critical systems secure while giving members the reliable public WiFi they expect.
A Unified, Scalable Platform — and a Partnership That Keeps Growing
Nearly a decade into the relationship, the YMCA of Greater Des Moines operates a fully centralized technology environment serving all 10 locations. What started as a vendor engagement has evolved into a strategic partnership — with Aureon embedded in how the Y plans, operates, and grows. "Aureon has been with us every step of the way," says Gruening.
All 10 Locations, One Platform
Every branch now operates from a single, centralized environment — with consistent access to applications, unified WiFi management, and IT oversight from one place.
Dramatically Faster Operations
"The best part about the cloud is being able to access everything wherever you are in a secure environment. It allows for quicker turnaround times when necessary." — Steve Gruening, VP of Accounting & Finance.
Enhanced Member Experience
Members can check email, share documents, and stay connected while at any Y facility. Improved WiFi became an immediate and valued benefit — noticed right after the switch.
A True Strategic Partnership
The relationship has grown from user/vendor to trusted partner. Aureon works collaboratively with the Y on long-term technology planning — always with the Y's mission in mind.
Key Results
10
Locations Connected
All 10 YMCA of Greater Des Moines facilities unified under a single, centrally managed technology platform — from full-facility branches to additional service locations.
50K+
Members Served
More than 50,000 YMCA members across Greater Des Moines benefit from reliable cloud infrastructure, consistent WiFi, and seamless access to Y programs and services.
Secure
Unified Networks
Segmented corporate and member WiFi networks keep staff systems secure while giving members reliable public access at every location — managed from a single centralized interface.
Decade
Long Partnership
Nearly 10 years of continuous partnership with Aureon — growing from a single technology engagement to a fully embedded strategic relationship that supports the Y's long-term mission.
Centralized
Cloud Platform
The Aureon Cloud Suite hosts all Y applications in one shared environment — accessible over the internet from any branch, eliminating on-premise servers and enabling faster turnaround for staff.
Strategic
True Partnership
"Aureon has been with us every step of the way, learning who we are, what we do and where we want to be in the future." — Steve Gruening, VP of Accounting & Finance.
We didn't just need a company to come in, but rather, we needed a company to understand who we were, what we were about, and where we were going. Aureon has been with us every step of the way, learning who we are, what we do and where we want to be in the future.
Nearly a Decade of Technology Partnership — and Still Going Strong
The YMCA of Greater Des Moines exists to strengthen community. With programs that build character in kids, support families, and promote healthy lifestyles across eight full-facility YMCAs and two additional facilities in Central Iowa, the Y serves more than 50,000 members and relies on more than 200 employees and hundreds of volunteers to do it. Making all of that work requires technology that's dependable, scalable, and aligned with the organization's mission.
What began as a user/vendor arrangement to manage the Y's network has grown into something far more significant. Nearly 10 years into the partnership, Aureon is embedded in how the YMCA of Greater Des Moines plans, operates, and grows. "Our relationship began as a user/vendor arrangement to handle our network. Over the years, it has evolved into a partnership," says Steve Gruening, Vice President of Accounting and Finance.
That evolution has touched every layer of the Y's technology. Aureon helped them transition from isolated, location-by-location DSL connections to a centrally managed WiFi infrastructure hosted at the Aureon Data Center. T1 lines gave way to fiber optic connections with intelligent bandwidth segmentation — reserving capacity for corporate users and business partners while giving members the reliable public WiFi they expect. And through the Aureon Cloud Suite, all of the Y's applications now run from a single, centralized environment accessible from any location.
"We didn't just need a company to come in, but rather, we needed a company to understand who we were, what we were about, and where we were going," says Gruening. "Aureon has been with us every step of the way." That understanding — of purpose, not just process — is what makes this partnership work.
Frequently Asked Questions
After years of attempting to handle IT functions internally, the Y decided to outsource its technology needs to a partner who could support all branches. The relationship began as a user/vendor arrangement focused on network management. As Steve Gruening, Vice President of Accounting and Finance, explains: "We thought that having a company take care of our technology was the correct answer. As we quickly learned, we didn't just need a company to come in, but rather, we needed a company to understand who we were, what we were about, and where we were going." Nearly 10 years later, that partnership is still going strong.
Originally, WiFi at each YMCA location was connected via a single DSL line — meaning even changing a password required visiting each location individually. Aureon helped the Y transition to a centrally managed WiFi system hosted at the Aureon Data Center, which was already housing the organization's computing resources. "This is a big time saver. If we need to change a corporate password, we can change the entire Y system — all 10 locations — at one time," says Steve Simpson. Each access point supports both corporate and public user access, all managed centrally.
After upgrading YMCA locations from T1 to fiber optic connections, Aureon segmented the bandwidth between corporate and member users — with approximately two-thirds reserved for the corporate network (including business partners who use the Y for meetings and presentations) and the remainder for the member network. Member users are not able to access the corporate network. "This has been a great way to segment the network needs," says Gruening. "Those coming to the Y for presentations love having the separation for their technology needs."
The Aureon Cloud Suite provides a centralized computing environment that delivers applications from one pool of resources, accessible via the Internet from any YMCA location. "The best part about the cloud is being able to access everything wherever you are in a secure environment," says Gruening. "I believe it allows for quicker turnaround times when necessary." Staff working between branches or off-site can access the same systems as if they were at their primary location — eliminating the need for on-premise infrastructure at each facility.
"It's more important than just having the knowledge," Gruening says. "A partner must truly understand what the purpose of the organization is and how technology can support that purpose." For a mission-driven organization like the YMCA, having a technology partner who invests in understanding that mission — not just deploying technical solutions — is what makes the difference between a vendor and a true long-term partner.
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