How to Select an Enterprise Wireless Network

The demand for wireless connectivity is increasing with time. Thus, companies are working on improving their network. Most employees are using mobile devices for doing their work. Thus, you need to focus on building on your wireless network. There are new technologies like cloud-based applications and IoT that can help you in increasing your employee’s productivity. However, you need a good wireless network for supporting these devices.

You might think that enterprise networks are only about Wi-Fi Access points. However, there are various factors that will define your network. Factors like centralized configuration, performance, and security will define your wireless network.

Some of the benefits of the enterprise wireless network are:

• Collaboration Capabilities: This will ensure that your employees can move between rooms without losing access to their files and applications.
• Centralized management: This will ensure that you can control your network from a centralized location.
• Compliance: Enterprise wireless networks will come with their own security features. This will ensure that you are following the security compliance.
• End-user experience: If you are using an enterprise wireless network, then your applications will run smoothly. This will ensure that your users don’t need to deal with slow applications.

Most of the enterprise wireless networks can provide these advantages. However, you need to consider various things before selecting a wireless network. These things will ensure that you are selecting the best network. Some of the factors that you need to consider before selecting an enterprise wireless network:

• Intelligence

Sometimes your video might run choppy during streaming. This can occur even if you have a very good internet connection. It can actually happen due to RF interference. The worst thing about RF interference is that it can reduce your wireless network performance. These RF interferences actually come from WiFi devices and routers. However, sometimes these RF routers can also come from sources like microwaves or Bluetooth.

You can try repositioning your devices. However, this is only a temporary solution. If you are looking for a better solution, then you should use intelligent controllers like DRM. DRM can help you in detecting interference from RF sources. It will fine-tune your network performance and adjust your network power.

• Coverage

You can’t build your network before understanding your requirements. Thus, you should first do a site survey. First, you need to identify dead spots in your network. Also, you should find out the areas where more users are present. You should also know about the number of devices that you are going to connect with your network. Make sure that you know about the construction materials used on your floors and walls.

You should also know about the wireless standard that you are looking for. There are various wireless standards to choose from. You might want to deploy 802.11ac Wave 2 as it supports higher network density. You should check all the wireless standards before working on your network.

• Security

Most businesses need to follow strict regulations like PCI DSS and HIPAA. If you are operating in the healthcare sector, then you need to follow the HIPAA compliance. These compliances will ensure that you are protecting your user’s data. You need to use security measures like rogue AP detection, IPS, access logging, and encryption.

If you are using normal wireless networks, then you can’t fulfill these security requirements. Thus, you should look for a better wireless network that can help you in achieving security compliance. Make sure that your network already supports these security features.

• Network controller

The best thing about wireless network controllers is that you can control your network from a remote location. You can configure, enforce policies, and communicate from a centralized remote location. There are two types of controllers available in the market. You can either go for cloud-based or on-premise wireless controllers. Both of them have their own unique disadvantages and advantages.

If you are using legacy devices, then you should use on-site controllers. These controllers are not dependent on your Internet availability and speed. However, cloud-based controllers are perfect for large enterprises. It will help you in handling all your office networks from a centralized location. Also, you don’t need to visit your offices for managing their network. Both of these controllers come with their own pros and cons. Thus, you should first compare both on-site and cloud controller. Make sure that you are selecting the controller which is suitable for your company.

• Quality of Service

Most businesses are using advanced technologies and tools like Webex, Skype, or GoToMeeting. These tools will ensure that your employees can work from a remote location. Also, you can collaborate, troubleshoot, present, and plan from a remote location. However, you should ensure that your employees are getting good internet speed. If your wireless network is slow, then your video will buffer.

Thus, make sure that your wireless network also supports Quality of service. You can give more priority to video. This will ensure that your network will give more priority to video streaming first. You can also give more priority to file transfers. This will ensure that your employees can quickly transfer files with each other.

Conclusion

These are the main things that you should consider before selecting an enterprise wireless network. If you have a good wireless network, then it will improve the productivity of your employees. They can quickly collaborate with each other. You need access to a good in-house IT network team for reviewing your network. Thus, you should consider working with a good MSP like Bleuwire. Experienced MSPs like Bleuwire can help you in reviewing your current network setup. They will also help you in identifying security gaps in your network.

You also need to move your entire network. This can be a very tough task for your in-house team. Experienced MSPs like Bleuwire can help you in handling your migration work. If you need more information regarding network management, then you can contact Bleuwire.

Contact us today to learn about Bleuwire™  services and solutions in how we can help your business.