By : Steven Strickland
March 01, 2017 01:00 PM
Choosing the right wireless network configuration is more complex than ever before. Decision makers must consider capacity planning for subscriber device growth and connected machines (think Internet of Things- IoT), integrating signals from multiple carriers, supporting a multitude of radio frequencies (RF) and provisioning real estate for public safety. These variables multiply when managing multinational real estate assets.
Business owners are often challenged with finding ways to keep employees, patrons and machines connected 100 percent of the time, greater speed to the edge for smart devices, enhancing user experience, and securing critical data. However, planning for a secure, connected user experience can be difficult when this must be implemented at a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) than the current environment. Point of sale systems, kiosks, digital signage, sensors, beacons and mobile shopper platforms all require secure connections. Your consultant should be able to advise your company on wireless network architectures that will overcome your unique set of challenges.
It is important to create a business case that minimizes TCO based on long-range mobile planning, while also factoring in benefits not commonly considered by the IT department, such as improved staff productivity, digital marketing and greater insight in to customer behavior through analytics. It is critical to choose a consultancy with a broad wireless specialization to assist in the evaluation process. Key variables to consider include:
Once you have a plan, then it is time to create a proper wireless design.
When selecting a IT Support Services company to assess your environment, recommend a solution and generate a sound design package prior to deployment, the associated people, process and tools are critical to a successful outcome. You should consider the following:
Rather than basing decisions solely on an average cost per square foot, risks can be significantly reduced by producing a sound design and weighing the costs of installation, equipment and signal source.) Many of today’s emerging indoor wireless networks deliver improved efficiency through (common cabling lower power consumption and minimized rack space. However, propagation varies between Cellular and WiFi networks and detailed RF planning is required to validate commonalities
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