Wi-Fi--and the freedom from an Ethernet cable--has become ubiquitous. We rely on it so heavily that not being able to connect can be cause for great distress.
Nonetheless, in a business environment, you rely on connectivity. Dead (or weak) spots mean a lack of employee productivity, not to mention frustration on the part of employees and any visitors.
Fortunately, there are ways to plan your network around potential weak spots and mitigate them.
Map Out Your Office Space
When we work with a company to design their wireless network, we strive for access in every corner of the building. We perform a site survey with your you or your operations team. By physically walking around your facility, we’re able to identify potential areas of Wi-Fi interference. You can do the same at your own facility.
Some people are surprised at what can interfere with a Wi-Fi signal. Cisco said that items common to offices, such as microwave ovens, fluorescent lights, Bluetooth devices and wireless video cameras, can all interfere with Wi-Fi connectivity.
The blueprints or other design documents for your facility provide valuable insight. This is because building materials have different effects on Wi-Fi signal availability. According to EyeSaaS, concrete is THE signal killer, with brick and masonry running a close second. So if your office is built like a bunker, it’s going to require some thought regarding Wi-Fi coverage.
Identify Key Areas for Access
There are few things more embarrassing for an IT professional than to have a senior manager who expects to connect to Wi-Fi in a certain location but cannot. This situation may unfold in a company auditorium, conference room or other meeting space.
While you want to make sure that your facility has access generally, there will be areas that are more important than others. When working with clients, we encourage them to point out these areas specifically. Using this information, coupled with the site survey, we can work to ensure excellent Wi-Fi access in those crucial areas.
Choose the Right Equipment
Naturally, setting up a commercial Wi-Fi network requires equipment a step above what you might find at local retailer. Nonetheless, a 2012 story in CIO said that many business owners find themselves confused by what they perceive as a lack of difference in the specifications between consumer- and commercial-grade items such as access points.
As that article points out, commercial-grade access points are designed for 24/7/365 operation in the face of access by oodles of Wi-Fi-enabled devices. Their design also mitigates interference from Wi-Fi networks that could leak into yours from neighboring businesses.
Plan For Future Expansion
When you design your wireless network, plan to accommodate future expansion. As your facility grows, so should your network. Thus, when we conduct your site survey, be sure to discuss areas that might change Wi-Fi priorities over time. At a minimum, we can account for hardware installation in the future to ensure that Wi-Fi doesn’t get lost as your facility expands.
Whether designing a new network or improving an existing one, Emerge can help you work around Wi-Fi connectivity challenges. And don’t worry -- we won’t ask you to tear down walls for the sake of allowing Wi-Fi signals through! Instead, we will work to implement the right hardware to ensure you never lose a signal.