Finding a reliable WiFi solution is challenging at the best of times but when you’re looking for business broadband, it gets even harder. There are complicated requirements, extra considerations and confusing terminology – but we promise it doesn’t have to be that way.
We’ve put together this guide with the aim of helping you to choose which WiFi solution is right for your business. We’ll cover the factors that you need to take into account when making your decision, as well as what the different WiFi solutions available are.
Factors to consider when choosing a business WiFi solution
Businesses face several challenges when choosing WiFi. There are lots of different needs, options and information to look at, so things can get overwhelming. To simplify the process, here are the key factors that you need to consider when researching solutions and providers.
- Business size
The size of your business unsurprisingly has a huge impact on your WiFi requirements – there’s a big difference between 10 people working remotely and an office of 400 employees onsite. Coverage area and number of users are two of the most widely varying business WiFi needs, so look for a provider with experience in your category.
The type of business also has a big impact. A large office or majority of work is carried out at a computer will require higher-performing WiFi than a restaurant needing WiFi for customers and some basic admin.
A large hotel with lots of rooms and people connected to the network at the same time has its own challenges aswell as businesses with multi site locations. This could be a construction site where communications accross multiple sites is essential for productivity.
Lastly, don’t forget scalability. If you have big plans to grow your business in the next couple of years, getting locked into a contract designed to suit its current size is probably not the best idea.
- Level of performance
Don’t worry – we’re talking about the WiFi’s performance, not your business’. Very little matters more than whether the WiFi solution you choose can meet your performance requirements or not. To figure this out, you’ll need to look at:
- Network availability – how often is the network down? This is usually expressed as a percentage, with most networks reaching 99% or more.
- Speed and bandwidth – high speeds and bandwidth will ensure the internet runs quickly and efficiently
- Quality of service (QoS) – refers to the method of prioritising different types of network traffic and allocating resources where they’re most needed.
- Security
Network security is critical for any business, regardless of size. Without a properly secured network, hackers could be able to access sensitive business information or customer data, which could reveal a whole new world of problems.
It’s therefore incredibly important to look at the security measures in place with any WiFi solution. From data encryption to user authentication to access controls, there are a lot of safety features that can be implemented for heightened security.
Now’s a good time to note that many businesses choose to broadcast a separate WiFi network for guests, customers or staff’s personal devices. This has the dual benefit of increasing security and not clogging up the main network.
- Network integration
Businesses tend to really heavily on technology these days, which will only increase with time. While this has huge benefits for productivity and organisation, it also throws up additional considerations.
When choosing a WiFi solution, you’ll save a lot of time and hassle by making sure that it is compatible with your existing technological infrastructure. The ease of integration with other business applications is a similarly important factor.
ustomers or staff’s personal devices. This has the dual benefit of increasing security and not clogging up the main network.
- Location
The type of internet you need can be impacted based on where your office is based. If you don’t live close to traditional communication services or near an exchange, you may have difficulty getting a good connection.
You may be running a large scale event in the middle of a field, so you need to ensure your network is secure, robust and reliable, especially when the mainstream formats of internet aren’t available to you. At Click. we specialise in Event Wifi so take a look at our service for more information and advice.
Types of business WiFi solutions
There are three basic types of WiFi solutions for businesses: on-premises, cloud-managed, and hybrid solutions. Let’s take a look at what they each mean.
On-premises WiFi solutions
WiFi solutions that are both installed and managed on the business’ premises have traditionally been popular, although they’re now gradually bowing out to newer technology. On-premises solutions typically involve more work by in-house staff.
The benefits of this are more control over the network and greater ease when making changes to meet ever-evolving business requirements. On the other hand, on-premises WiFi solutions can cost more initially and need someone to be onsite for any maintenance.
Cloud-managed WiFi solutions
Cloud-managed WiFi solutions are hosted and managed by the service provider. Hardware is still required on the premises but everything that can be moved online is. These solutions usually involve a setup cost and then an ongoing subscription fee.
One of the biggest draws of cloud-managed WiFi is its great ease of use – almost everything is handled by the provider, so you can focus on your own job. It’s also very scalable (users can be added or removed without the need for additional hardware) and flexible (it can be accessed and managed from anywhere in the world).
The downsides of cloud-managed WiFi are having less control and potential security concerns, due to reliance on the provider. The ongoing subscription fees can stack up, too, so this can end up as a fairly expensive option.
Hybrid WiFi solutions
Hybrid WiFi solutions follow a ‘best of both worlds’ ideology – typically involving on-premises hardware with some or all management performed via cloud-based systems. This way, businesses get the flexibility of a cloud-managed solution and the control of an on-premises solution.
The only downside is that hybrid WiFi solutions can be complex, making them harder to both manage and install. It is always recommended to speak to a specialist provider who can advise on a bespoke solution.
Business WiFi needs checklist
As we’ve already discussed, there are a lot of factors when choosing a WiFi solution for your business. Don’t forget to pay attention to:
- Network requirements
- Network security
- Integration and compatibility with existing infrastructure
- Scalability
- Reliability
- Complexity & support
- Budget
You might have specialist needs to consider, such as emergency internet to prevent disruptions to a service when moving premises. There are different types of internet connection available to businesses that are struggling with traditional solutions.
Customer service also matters – time is money, according to the old adage, and in business this couldn’t be truer. If your internet is down for just an hour, there’s the potential to lose vast sums of money, depending on the business.
For this reason, the customer service you receive from your ISP is even more important with business WiFi than home broadband. You need to know that, should something happen, your provider will be on the phone immediately trying to troubleshoot with you.
Click Telecom are specialists in providing alternative WiFi solutions to businesses across the UK. Contact us today to find out how we can help your business.
