Wireless Networking

Mobility is no longer a barrier to productivity and efficiency but now provides a true competitive advantage. Accessing real-time data whilst at a customer site, whilst travelling or whilst working outside of normal office hours now allows a more flexible and efficient approach to business processes.

Wireless networking technology, fuelled by the emergence of cross-vendor industry standards such as IEEE 802.11, has produced a number of affordable solutions that are fast becoming a realistic business benefit for all types of industries where the installation of network cabling is not practical.

802.11. A group of specifications, developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), for wireless networks that are used to manage packet traffic over a network and ensure that packets do not collide - which could result in loss of data - while travelling from their point of origin to their destination. These are: 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g. Each access point typically covers 50-100 metres of open space with current specs for 1, 2, 11 and 54 Mbps. It is intended to provide for interoperability of wireless LAN products from different manufacturers. For security and privacy, 802.11 accommodates the use of Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), a wireless authentication protocol based on I.D. keys and bit-encryption.

Benefits for the organisation:

• Reduction in total cost of ownership as costs such as cabling and office space can be radically reduced.
• Business processes can be improved and the organisation becomes more efficient as productivity rises.
• Customer meetings are more informed and therefore more productive.
• Improving data availability, decision making and account management processes will improve customer satisfaction.
• Geographical and time restrictions are lifted, providing another competitive advantage.

Temporary wireless networks can be easily set up for temporary office facilities, exhibitions and events.

• Easily scalable and portable A wireless network access point can be installed without the disruption and costs associated with a cabled network point.
• The wireless network can be extended or moved to areas where a cabled infrastructure wouldn't be cost-effective or practical to do so (a warehouse for example).
• Businesses operating in listed buildings can adhere to restrictions that may effect the installation of a fixed-cable network.

Benefits for the user:

• No need for training on new devices as existing mobile devices can be used.
• Freedom and flexibility in where they can work and when.
• Improved client account management away from the office as real-time data can be made available at the client site.
• Access to real-time data enabling more efficient and informed decision-making.