It’s increasingly rare to find a business that doesn’t rely on wireless internet, or WiFi, these days. But not every business has the same needs when it comes to WiFi. A small cafe? in your town might have only one or two networks and really simple security requirements, while an office space might need to support hundreds of devices and have advanced security measures in place at all times. No matter what kind of business you run, it’s important to choose the right kind of WiFi installation that will meet your needs. The following tips will assist you in selecting the best commercial WiFi installation for your business.
Finding a wifi system that meets your requirements is critical when making your decision. Before purchasing new wifi equipment, consider how many devices will connect to your network. This can assist you in deciding whether to purchase a mid-range or enterprise-level system. Enterprise solutions will also be more expensive than mid-range products, but they can handle larger numbers of users and devices. If your company will only have a few employees using smartphones or laptops at any given time, you may want to save money by purchasing a mid-range product. However, an enterprise solution would be better suited for these needs if your company has multiple employees who need to access wifi in various parts of your building (such as warehouse workers who are constantly on their phones).
No matter how much wireless networking knowledge you think you have, there are some installations that should be left to the professionals. Enterprise-grade wifi systems are best left in the hands of knowledgeable individuals, just as you wouldn’t try to install your own air conditioning system or fix a gas leak. There are plenty of DIY guides out there, but as with any home improvement project, skipping a professional can end up costing you more in time and money than if you’d just hired someone from day one. In order to determine how much your commercial wireless internet costs will be, your bandwidth requirements should be assessed as part of your company’s business plan. You may require a higher capacity network than businesses with fewer employees or lower traffic requirements if you have more customers using wireless Internet at once and they are all simultaneously downloading files and streaming video.
Generally speaking, commercial-grade wireless access points cost more than consumer-grade ones, so if money is tight, be sure to look at those first. The next factor you ought to think about is coverage. If a location has a large space that needs wireless access, it would be smart to invest in a powerful wireless solution from one of your more expensive providers such as Cisco Meraki or Ubiquiti Networks. Think about the features that are most important to you. Things like guest networks, security features, and even voice calling capabilities are often optional but could provide significant value depending on your business model.