WiFi might seem easy to manage, maintain and install – after all, most people have an internet connection in their house that’s easy to handle. People often don’t consider the additional requirements for business networks and the network differences that must be implemented as a result. In a typical home network, there will not be many devices connected to the WiFi at any given time, but for business networks, there will be staffs’ work and personal devices, customers’ devices, visitors’ devices, and other on-site personnel each with their own devices, all using the same network. To handle all that traffic, we implement hardware suited to best accommodate your needs, but how do we do that exactly?
There is no real ‘one-size-fits-all’ business network, because each business has its own unique requirements. For example, a company with 5 employees all located within one office will have much more simple network requirements than a team with 50 employees spread across multiple offices. The first company would be able to operate easily using only one access point, with relatively simple network infrastructure; but, for the latter company, several access points will need to be implemented, with a more complex network structure to offer optimal network speed and security.
Once network requirements are determined, network coverage must be established. Many factors will impact network coverage, from the obvious, like the number of access points, to seemingly tiny details, like the thickness of walls. In order to determine where access points must be placed for adequate network coverage, our engineers also offer Site Surveys, using heatmaps to determine where your coverage is at its strongest, weakest, or even absent entirely. Click here to read more about TEC-ID’s Site Surveys.
Once our engineers know where access points need to be placed, they begin the installation process. Depending on the size of the area that must be covered, this can vary greatly in complexity. Small offices, for example, are easy to get connected, but larger areas with additional complications like warehouse spaces can take longer. All of the access points must then be connected to a switch (or switches) in order to get the same network connection through all of them.
After all of the basic network hardware has been installed and configured, any additional requirements the user might have must then be implemented. Larger companies with more complex networks might look at implementing subnets. Subnets can be used for many purposes, such as relieving network congestion and improving network security. Another option, particularly for businesses in the hospitality industry, are Guest WiFi networks. To see more about TEC-ID’s Guest WiFi services, click here.
After the network has been implemented, there are various tests that can be carried out to check that everything is functioning properly. Testing individual subnets can be helpful to ensure all staff receive the connections they need; and checking that the upload and download speeds are fast enough for all staff is crucial before staff begin relying on the network for their day-to-day operations.
More than ever, businesses rely on technology and solid internet access to power them. Zoom and Microsoft Teams are now commonly used as a replacement for traditional face-to-face meetings and can be data-intensive thanks to the number of video feeds being transmitted at any time. Not only does video conferencing require a strong internet connection, but many workers also now use Microsoft OneDrive as their default method of storing files, requiring an internet connection to access the files.
With TEC-ID’s WiFi services, you are vastly reducing your risk of network downtime, with high-quality and reliable network infrastructure. Contact us at TEC-ID today by clicking the button below, or see our Site Surveys and Guest WiFi pages to read more about how we can optimise your business’ network.