Global Business Solutions Brings the Ark Encounter to Life by Utilizing Leading-Edge Technology

Global Business Solutions partners with Answers in Genesis to create the technology required to support The Ark Encounter's complex IT and AV infrastructure - where every light, every exhibit, and every camera runs on the network.

Let’s start by saying this: what’s not an epic challenge when you build an extraordinary structure that’s never been built before – except once and that was built by Noah over 4000 years ago? The team at Global Business Solutions (GBS) knows about the challenge of creating the Ark Encounter’s entire technology backbone, supporting its complex IT and AV infrastructure – where every light, every exhibit, every security camera runs on the network.

GBS met those challenges and built a unique partnership along the way with Answers in Genesis, the creator of the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky. The Ark had a rough idea of how to build out the technology infrastructure but no detailed design. As Answers in Genesis discovered, this was a challenge GBS, the Newport-based IT & Technology Solutions firm, was uniquely qualified to conquer. 

“GBS provided a wonderful sense of agility. Being able to mimic our movements and changes on a weekly, sometimes daily basis. All with a great attitude, knowing that they were part of history in the making. We felt they were truly a partner and not just a vendor working another project.” – Tony Ramsek, Manager of Systems and Support, IT Services for Answers in Genesis

Navigating an Epic Project 

“Usually when you build an attraction, you design the building around the exhibits, but in our case, our building was laid out for us in black and white in Scripture,” said Tony Ramsek, Manager of Systems and Support, IT Services for Answers in Genesis. “The Ark is 510 feet long by 85 feet wide by 51 feet tall, according to the dimensions given in the Book of Genesis. It is the world’s largest timber-framed wooden structure and the world’s only full-sized recreation of Noah’s Ark, with over 90 striking exhibits lining the inside.”

The GBS team of IT & Infrastructure Cabling specialists designed and installed the entire cabling infrastructure with extremely intricate cable pathways which connect 24 IT network rooms, optical backbones/ splice points, the access control system and the CCTV system consisting of over 280 cameras that serve multiple buildings and outdoor areas all completely hidden from guest view. “All told in the Ark, we have over three miles of fiber optic backbone, and as far as copper cables go, we installed between 20 and 25 miles,” said Jeremy Earl, Cabling Manager at GBS. 

“There was no room for mistakes; these are massive, one-of-a-kind timbers. We had to get it right the first time,” said Gaby Batshoun, Co-owner and President of GBS. “The depth of experience and knowledge across all facets of the IT and digital spectrum enabled us to understand the complexities and deliver for them.” 

Today, the Ark Encounter is a popular destination built in the beautiful rolling countryside of Kentucky and not far from I-75. As you approach it, it looks just as if it came to rest on that spot when the waters receded.

If You Build It They Will Come

To date, the Ark Encounter has seen phenomenal success. “Before we opened, a study commissioned by the state of Kentucky concluded that we would have 325,000 guests in the first year,” said Ramsek. “We had that many guests in the first ten weeks! In our first year, we had over one million visitors. GBS implemented the forward-thinking technology (10gig networks and Cat6 cabling) that enables us to have world-class exhibits and support up to 8,000 visitors per day. For example, because of the cabling and switching environment that GBS provided, we were able to open up two new theaters inside the Ark that showcase videos on the life and times of Noah.” The flexibility and innovation used by the entire team is on display as well as the exhibits. 

“One of the challenges was to meet today’s building codes and safety standards with an all-wood building,” said Ramsek. “Our architects came up with a brilliant design that anchors the full Ark to three 80-foot concrete towers, which provide the emergency stairs, the bathrooms and the elevators.”

Building a Lasting Testament to Teamwork

The GBS/Answers in Genesis partnership that was built is still evident in the respect and rapport the key players have with each other. “GBS provided a wonderful sense of agility,” said Ramsek. “Being able to mimic our movements and changes on a weekly, sometimes daily basis. All with a great attitude, knowing that they were part of history in the making. We felt they were truly a partner and not just a vendor working on another project.”

Nael Mabjish, GBS Co-owner added, “We are very proud to be a part of this unique and one-of-akind project.”

“The Ark Encounter was designed with the goal to use leading-edge technology to further educate and bring-to-life this bible story,” said Batshoun. “We are proud of what we built here – both the partnership and the experience for guests.” 

By providing a single source capable of complete infrastructure design and installation, GBS helped Answers in Genesis implement innovative technologies – making the Ark Encounter a world-class experience.

GBS’s office is located at 916 Monmouth Street, Newport, KY 41071. For more information, call 859.491.5900 or visit www.gbs-inc.com.