What is Enterprise Wi-Fi?
When we think of Wi-Fi, we often think of our Wi-Fi connection at home, which provides access to the Internet for gaming, entertainment, remote work or school, etc., from laptops or mobile phones throughout our living space. This setup is fine for consumers but lacks the scalability and security required for businesses that have large numbers of users and sizeable facilities. That’s where enterprise-grade Wi-Fi steps in.
Overview: Enterprise Wi-Fi
Enterprise Wi-Fi, also known as business Wi-Fi, commercial Wi-Fi or corporate Wi-Fi, is a wireless networking solution designed to meet the requirements of businesses with high-volume wireless connectivity needs to support workforces accessing business applications and communications throughout an office, a building or campus without “dead” spots. Enterprise Wi-Fi supports integration of access points, load balancing, advanced management and higher security levels than aren’t typical of home Wi-Fi environments.
Why do businesses need Enterprise Wi-Fi?
Enterprises must adopt Wi-Fi solutions custom-tailored to their needs to improve operational efficiency, accommodate a large workforce, enable easy scalability and secure critical data. It can help to ask the question another way, such as why consumer Wi-Fi doesn’t meet the business needs.
What are the challenges businesses face with Wi-Fi solutions?
Businesses appreciate the flexibility of having wireless internet connections but can run into several challenges when implementing Wi-Fi for a large number of users throughout a large space. These can include:
– Interference
Wi-Fi connectivity is affected by interference from physical obstacles like block walls and extra “noise” from other wireless devices, which negatively impacts reliability and performance.
– Coverage
It’s difficult to cost-effectively achieve consistent and comprehensive Wi-Fi coverage throughout the work environment, leaving “dead spots” where there’s no internet access.
– Scalability
Wi-Fi networks also struggle to keep up with increasing bandwidth demands resulting from additional users and/or real-time applications like voice and video, leading to inefficient Internet performance and disruptions to business operations.
– Complexity
Wi-Fi networks with a large number of connected devices can be difficult to configure, manage and monitor, especially when considering variable user needs and access levels.
– Cybersecurity
Wi-Fi networks are especially vulnerable to cybersecurity threats, including unauthorized network access, data compromise and cyberattack.
– Compliance
In addition to ensuring network security, businesses comply with data privacy regulations and requirements.
– Costs
Balancing all of the above can result in significant costs in hardware, software and ongoing maintenance and optimization.
What Are the Benefits of Enterprise Wi-Fi?
Enterprise Wi-Fi affords many benefits to large businesses that overcome the challenges of consumer Wi-Fi, including:
– Improved Performance
Enterprise Wi-Fi is built to handle high volumes of simultaneous network traffic, which is critical for bandwidth-intensive operations like low-latency video conferencing, large data transfers and interfacing with cloud-based Software as a Service (SaaS) applications.
– Easy Scalability
Enterprise Wi-Fi enables simple scalability, empowering enterprises to accommodate sudden growth or contraction and respond to shifts in market trends.
– Centralized Management
Enterprise Wi-Fi centralizes wireless network control and configurations into a single, convenient interface that simplifies network management and monitoring for IT teams.
– Advanced Analytics
The best Enterprise Wi-Fi solutions offer a comprehensive suite of network analytics tools, giving insights into usage, behavior and performance so businesses can optimize network configurations.
– Enhanced Security
Enterprise Wi-Fi is equipped with strong cybersecurity customized for enterprise operations. Standard services include encryption, multifactor authentication (MFA), network segmentation, network access control (NAC) and Wireless Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (WIDS/WIPS).
– Guest Wi-Fi
Enterprise Wi-Fi also enables companies to offer secure Wi-Fi access to visitors, such as customers or contractors who need to use communications or applications while on-site for meetings or projects.
– Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
Enterprise Wi-Fi allows employees to connect their own devices to the enterprise’s network, giving them flexible use of the devices they’re comfortable with and allowing them to continue critical work assignments outside of the office.
– Reduced Costs
Enterprise Wi-Fi reduces the costs associated with connecting devices and network equipment through physical Ethernet cables. Additionally, BYOD programs save the enterprise costs related to procuring, activating and updating large fleets of devices.
– Increased Productivity
Enterprise Wi-Fi enables easy mobility for workforces, allowing them to flexibly access critical applications and communications anywhere at any time within their office environments.
– Supports IoT Technology
Enterprises are deploying more IoT and smart technologies to enhance workplace productivity and optimize business processes. Enterprise Wi-Fi offers powerful connectivity capable of connecting disparate IoT systems and smart devices, reducing the need for complex hardware management and simplifying network architectures.
What are Enterprise Wi-Fi managed services?
Many enterprises outsource their Enterprise Wi-Fi to a managed service provider (MSP) that provides expert solution deployment, installation, management and maintenance. MSPs deliver many benefits, including simplified enterprise Wi-Fi network management, 24/7 network performance monitoring, expert support and improved security. Additionally, MSPs offer a simple subscription-based billing model that allows for easy scalability and optimized, predictable monthly costs.
How to Get Enterprise Wi-Fi for Your Business
There are several considerations businesses must assess when sourcing their Enterprise Wi-Fi solutions. Here’s some tips to get you started:
– Know Your Wi-Fi Requirements
First, you need to understand your wireless connectivity needs. Consider the types of applications and communications platforms you need to support, the number of users and devices that need to be connected, security and industry compliance requirements and any other special accommodations your Enterprise Wi-Fi needs to support.
– Choose the Right Managed Enterprise Wi-Fi Provider
Choosing a right-fit managed Enterprise Wi-Fi provider is one of the most vital decisions for achieving the best wireless connectivity. Review the provider’s capabilities, industry reputation, customer service rapport, total cost of ownership (TCO) and competitive Service Level Agreement (SLA).
– Offer Staff Training
To ensure a successful deployment of your new Enterprise Wi-Fi environment, be sure your IT staff is trained on the hardware or software necessary for the Enterprise Wi-Fi solution. Additionally, set up user orientations and demos to familiarize your general staff with new connectivity processes. If needed, leverage your Enterprise Wi-Fi vendor for assistance.
– Review Performance Regularly
After deploying Enterprise Wi-Fi services, it’s critical to consistently review the solution’s performance, ensuring it’s delivering on its promises and adequately handling your connectivity needs.
Enterprise Wi-Fi from AireSpring
- Cloud-native and cloud-hosted connectivity with end-to-end visibility
- Seamless deployments for indoor and outdoor settings
- A single, user-friendly interface for simplified management
- Streamlined electrical power and Wi-Fi setup
- Mesh networking to ensure optimal office Wi-Fi solution coverage
- Tri-Band Radio Access Point to diversify connectivity options
- Optional 5G and LTE backup through Managed Wireless WAN.
- On-site field services, including site surveys, installation and wiring
- 24/7 monitoring through AireSpring’s Global Network Operations Center (NOC)
Other Enterprise Wireless Solutions You Need to Know
- 4G/5G and LTE Cellular Networks – Cellular networks enable communications across vast geographies via cellular tower and eliminate the need for a wireless router. Cellular works best for remote or hybrid workforces that need mobility solutions wherever they are, whereas Wi-Fi works better in office buildings where it can navigate internal infrastructure like doors and walls.
- Managed Wireless WAN – A Managed Wireless Wide Area Network (WAN) is a managed connectivity service delivered by an MSP that integrates 4G and 5G networks into a wireless WAN solution to provide adequate connectivity and network failover.
- Mesh Networks – Mesh networks are a type of local area network (LAN) that leverages multiple network nodes to broadcast Wi-Fi signals over a large area, improving wireless coverage.
- Zigbee & Z-Wave – Zigbee and Z-Wave are low-power, low-cost wireless connectivity solutions that leverage a mesh network specially designed for IoT and smart technology.
- Bluetooth – Bluetooth delivers direct, device-to-device connectivity over very short distances. Bluetooth is best deployed for less critical operations like miniscule data transfers and short-range IoT connectivity.
Enterprise Wi-Fi FAQs
– How secure is enterprise Wi-Fi?
Enterprise Wi-Fi delivers a more robust cybersecurity posture compared to consumer Wi-Fi. However, the flexibility afforded by Wi-Fi opens more opportunities for infiltration by bad actors. Enterprise Wi-Fi solutions combat this increased vulnerability by deploying advanced security measures like multifactor authentication (MFA), encryption, network access control (NAC), network segmentation and Wireless Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (WIDS/WIPS). Security can be further enhanced through comprehensive user education programs that teach healthy cybersecurity habits to stem compromise via user error.
– What is an enterprise Wi-Fi hotspot?
Enterprise Wi-Fi hotspots leverage wireless data from a cellular provider to enable internet access for mobile devices. Enterprise Wi-Fi hotspots are generally deployed for extended coverage and redundancy.
– How does enterprise internet work?
Enterprise business internet distinguishes itself from residential and small-scale business internet by delivering superior speed, reliability, security and support. Enterprise internet achieves improved performance and security by leveraging Dedicated Internet Access (DIA), which delivers exclusive network connectivity to the enterprise. Additionally, enterprise internet is typically backed by an MSP that delivers 24/7 expert support and monitoring to maximize uptime and resolve disruption quickly.
