When choosing how to delegate funds during a business expansion, move, or renovation, “future-proofing” is always top of mind. As a business owner, you must constantly place your growth in a never-ending race against technology innovations.
Wireless Access Points allow users high powered internet connections with the added benefit of mobility. While these devices can lower the cost and labor during initial construction, the hardware cost & quality of connection may often disqualify this option. If your employees run programs all day requiring a solid, reliable internet connection, a hard-wire network connection at their station is recommended. WiFi may be utilized for speakers, user mobility (taking your laptop to a meeting, quiet room, etc), cell phones/tablets, or various other “light use” applications. Phones and computers however, still need that reliable little wire.
We’ve all experienced that strange lag time when suddenly the WiFi, even with that fancy new fiber connection, suddenly slows to a crawl on our mobile device. Where is the speed? Hardwire network cabling connections allow each user to utilize the full speeds of your fiber backbone, while also allowing IT departments the ability to secure the connection, control bandwidth allocation, and monitor QoS (specifically in scenarios with SIP trunks or Hosted Phone Systems).
While the future is wireless, for many businesses the man-power and up-front hardware cost, simply does not justify the slight increase in office mobility. However, if your business operates with light internet usage, high mobility, and supports an on-site IT Team, then wireless may be the right choice. Here are some key points to remember when building out a wireless network:
- Always heat map the space.
- Always allocate PoE 10/100/1000 Switch Ports for the Wireless Access Points to run off
- Run Cat6 or higher. The hardware required to provide a reliable wireless connection may require Cat6A Cabling (which we recommend, especially for long-term leases). Cat5e, while sufficient for WAPs in offices with very light wifi usage (i.e. personal cell phones only), simply will not suffice for more robust requirements.
Every office is different. Every office performs and operates with different priorities. Contact Telco Data today to get a personalized recommendation for your new build out. Not only can we survey and design your structured network cabling installation for free, we can provide partner recommendation for network equipment/IT support, clean installation of your wireless access points, and assistance with your carrier services in Austin to ensure your wireless network has the fastest speeds at the lowest cost.
