Is it time to upgrade your WiFi?
Review this checklist to help you save time, money, and ensure a great WiFi experience.
USE THIS CHECKLIST TO SEE HOW SECURE YOUR WIFI REALLY IS
Ask yourself:
Just ask
Gather feedback from your employees and customers about their WiFi and network experience. As the business owner, you probably know how the systems work for you and your employees. But if you want the whole scoop, be sure to ask your customers.
Show & Tell
Walk around and ask employees from each department to show you the work they do each day. Often, you’ll discover important devices, software, applications, or websites that you weren’t aware of, but that the team uses regularly. This can be critical information when determining how much bandwidth or WiFi coverage is needed.
Is it plugged in?
Test the cabling. Although this is a wireless Internet project, the devices that allow for wireless access usually need to be plugged in via ethernet cable, which they use for power. A best practice is to make sure you test the cable, and that it runs to the locations where you need access point placement.
Read the instructions
Gather device manuals. Create a list of devices (scanners, printers, tablets, cell phones, watches, and anything in your business that connects to the Internet or network) with either the hard paper copy or the links to their device manuals. Sometimes there are manufacturer recommended configurations or valuable information in those manuals that will assist in a smoother network set-up.
Is it secure?
Clarify the authentication methods and determine your security needs. How do users log in to the WiFi? Can they access your network? Determine if additional security is needed or if current authentication methods are sufficient.
Measure
Use WiFi Survey tools. Your IT company should have a variety of WiFi survey tools they can use to determine current signal strength, bandwidth, and any issues with the configuration. In addition, these tools can be used to properly plan access point placement on your new network.
Call in the experts
If needed, work with an IT professional to choose Access Point and Switch hardware. With dozens of options on the market, choose hardware that addresses your business needs today and will scale with your business over the next few years. Avoid purchasing hardware online as many of those solutions are designed for home use instead of business use.
If you’re not confident that you have comprehensive WiFi security in place, call us and book a consultation.
