The autonomous access point model is certainly acceptable for smaller installations, but management of many dozens of devices will be infeasible and unreliable.  Management systems essentially provide global AP awareness so that access points are only covering the areas in which coverage is necessary, as well as to unify and centralize logging, SSID management, and core requirements.  This type of technology can be purchased from a number of vendors, but the underlying technological items are very similar. The diagram below illustrates the Cisco model for centralized wireless infrastructure:

There are several important features to note.  In the Cisco model, the underlying protocol for access point management is known as the Lightweight Access Point Protocol (LWAPP).  This abstracts the intelligence of the access point away from the endpoint and towards the wireless controllers, which can be located in the Catalyst 6500 WiSM blade, via a dedicated 4400 WLAN Controller appliance, or integrated into a specially designed 3750G-24WS PoE switch.  The layer above, on the management plane, is known in Cisco terminology as the Wireless Control System (WCS).  This device is able to aggregate information from all of the WLAN Controllers and provide additional analysis of the wireless environment.  In addition, it is able to unify management of each WLAN Controller devices to ensure standardization and uniformity.

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