What is Wireless Networking? A wireless network is a platform for enabling enterprise-wide access to all of an organization's applications and data.

Wireless networking allows users to take the office with them wherever they go. The wireless network provides employees and guest workers with untethered access to voice, video, data, and applications regardless of their physical location.

How Will a Wireless Network Benefit My Business?

A wireless network deployment can help your company achieve multiple benefits, including:

• Reduced setup time and amount of cable required to outfit a location
• Greater flexibility that allows new and temporary users quick access to the network
• Improved collaboration and productivity
• Easier deployment and relocation
• Increased security

How Can I Help My Business Embrace Wireless Networking Solutions?

When considering the implementation of a wireless network, it important to:

• Perform a site survey.
  Having a third-party perform a site survey can ensure a successful deployment. The site survey can provide a roadmap for designing the optimial wireless network, identify potential issues, and propose solutions to remediate any difficulties.
• Address security concerns.
  Many believe that wireless networking exposes the business to greater data security risks. On the contrary, wireless networks authenticate users and encrypt transmitted data, making it more secure than a wired line.

What Are The Components of a Wireless Network?

Considerations for a wireless network deployment include the following:

• Layout
  The number of locations, the layout of each building, and user density (concentration of users in a particular area) are all key factors in designing a wireless network.
• Environment
  Your physical environment plays a critical role in determining appropriate wireless networking solutions. Evironments with heavy vibrations or large amounts of dust and particles in the air, such as manufacturing or warehouse facilities, demand special planning. Potential sources of interference such as thick or metal walls must also be considered. In hospital settings, radiology equipment might conflict with the wireless network signal. Finally, while most wireless networks are used indoors, outdoor deployments must be able to withstand harsh weather conditions.
• Applications
  Different applications that you need to transmit—voice, data and video—will determine the bandwidth your wireless network will require and help you establish a viable framework for the wireless networking buildout.
• Management Software
  Wireless networking management software can assist in the planning and configuration of your wireless network by reporting valuable usage statistics and detecting rogue access points. It can also provide centralized management.
• Security
  Wireless networks can be more secure than wired because they encrypt data being transmitted. However, it is important to employ threat prevention solutions wherever possible.
• Voice and Data Services
  The planning phase of a wireless network deployment is an ideal time to renegotiate and/or consolidate multiple voice and data service providers for additional cost savings.

Getting Started with Wireless Networking

Your NDM Account Manager and certified specialists are ready to assist you with every phase of choosing and leveraging the right solution for your IT environment. Our approach includes:

• An initial discovery session to understand your goals, requirements and budget
• An assessment review of your existing environment and definition of project requirements
• Detailed vendor evaluations, recommendations, future design and proof of concept
• Procurement, configuration and deployment of the final solution
• Ongoing product lifecycle support