Choosing the right Managed Wi-Fi provider- Key Considerations
In today’s hyper-connected world, a stable and efficient Wi-Fi network is essential for enterprises to operate seamlessly. A robust and dependable Wi-Fi network is the foundation of success for any thriving business, facilitating seamless employee communication and offering a platform for engaging with customers.
Managed Wi-Fi providers offer a range of services, designed to make your Wi-Fi network hassle-free and optimized for performance. But how to choose the right managed Wi-Fi provider? In this article, we will explore the key factors you must evaluate when making this decision.
Understanding your core requirements
Before beginning your search for a managed Wi-Fi provider, it is crucial to understand your core requirements. It might depend on your business type, size, number of devices connecting to network, bandwidth & coverage needs, security demands, compliance, and more. Here is a list of essential features and services your potential managed Wi-Fi provider must offer.
- Performance
The foundation of successful business operations is a stable and high-performance Wi-Fi network. When evaluating managed Wi-Fi providers, prioritize reliability and speed. Downtime or slow connectivity can disrupt operations and negatively impact potential lead interactions. Ensure the provider can offer Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with guaranteed uptime and performance levels that meet your business needs.
- Scalability
One of the most critical considerations when choosing a managed Wi-Fi provider is scalability. Your network needs may change over time as your business grows or usage patterns evolve. Look out for a partner that can accommodate scaling up or down without significant disruptions. Ask potential providers about their scalability options and whether they can adapt to your future requirements.
- Reliability and Redundancy
A reliable Wi-Fi network is a non-negotiable requirement for businesses. Downtime can lead to lost revenue, frustrated customers, and decreased productivity. When evaluating managed Wi-Fi providers, inquire about their network reliability and redundancy measures. Look for providers with a track record of minimal downtime and robust failover solutions to ensure uninterrupted service.
- Security
Cybersecurity threats are constantly evolving, and your network must be protected from potential breaches and attacks. Make sure your provider offers robust security measures such as firewall protection, intrusion detection, and encryption. Additionally, inquire about their approach to security updates and patches to stay ahead of emerging threats.
- Quality of Service (QoS)
Different devices on your network may require varying levels of bandwidth and priority. For example, video conferencing and voice-over-IP (VoIP) calls demand low latency and consistent bandwidth. A managed Wi-Fi provider that offers Quality of Service (QoS) allows you to prioritize traffic according to your needs, ensuring a seamless user experience for critical applications.
- Network Management and Monitoring
Effective management and monitoring are essential for maintaining a healthy Wi-Fi network. Your managed Wi-Fi provider should offer robust tools and platforms that allows you to monitor network performance, troubleshoot issues, and make necessary adjustments. Look for providers that provide real-time visibility into your network’s status and offer proactive support to address potential problems before they impact users.
- Support and Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
Consider the level of support your managed Wi-Fi provider offers. What are their service level agreements (SLAs)? Do they provide 24/7 customer support? Can they respond quickly to network issues? Clear communication and reliable support are crucial, especially during network emergencies. Ensure that provider support offerings align with your business needs and expectations.
- Cost and Pricing Structure
Cost is undoubtedly a significant factor when choosing a managed Wi-Fi provider. Some providers might charge based on the number of devices connected, while others may have data usage-based pricing. Make sure you are aware of any potential hidden fees or overage charges and choose a pricing model that aligns with your usage patterns.
- Compatibility and Integration
Consider your existing technology infrastructure when selecting a managed Wi-Fi provider. Will the provider’s solution seamlessly integrate with your current systems, such as point-of-sale (POS) systems, security cameras, or other IoT devices? Compatibility and integration capabilities can significantly impact the efficiency and effectiveness of your network.
- Reputation and Reviews
Finally, research the reputation and customer reviews of potential managed Wi-Fi providers. Online reviews and testimonials from current clients can provide valuable insights into a provider’s performance, customer service, and overall satisfaction. Additionally, inquire about case studies or references to gain a deeper understanding of how the provider has helped businesses similar to yours.
Sify Edge Connect: One-stop Solution for your Managed Wi-Fi needs
Sify Edge Connect is a comprehensive suite of services involving Edge connect Advisory and Implementation services combined with wireless management and intelligent edge analytics. It is a fully managed secure wireless platform that integrates IT, OT, and people. Edge Connect offers a seamless expansion of its core services to edge devices while delivering centralized management for streamlined operations, infrastructure near the end-user for reduced latency, and expert management of policies for data protection.
A few salient features of Sifyβs Edge Connect are:
- Cloud-based centralized management platform
- Controlled Internet access to guest users with GIS mapping
- Highly scalable and resilient
- Pan India deployment & support
- Service-based model with end-to-end ownership
Wrapping Up!
Choosing the right managed Wi-Fi provider is crucial decision that can impact your business efficiency, security, and customer satisfaction. By carefully understanding above factors, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your specific needs and goals. A well-chosen managed Wi-Fi provider will ensure a reliable wireless network and empowers you to focus on what matters most while growing your business and serving your customers.
Boost your network edge for all-round digital transformation with Sifyβs Edge Connect now!
Role of Enterprise Managed Wi-Fi in the Era of IoT and Smart Devices
In the rapidly evolving landscape of the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart devices, reliable and efficient connectivity is paramount. Managed Wi-Fi services play a crucial role in enabling seamless communication and data exchange between IoT devices. The explosion of mobility & BYOD, enterprise virtualized applications moving to the cloud, increased use of multimedia-rich applications within the enterprise, and infrastructure modernization are a few of the core business drivers for increased adoption of enterprise managed Wi-Fi services.
With unprecedented advancements in IoT, data modeling, and AI/ML, there is a consistently growing focus on edge computing and its benefits. Enterprises are accelerating efforts to move to the cloud for on-demand computing, capacity, scale, better reach, scalability, and higher availability. Additionally, the managed Wifi services eliminate the traditional Wi-Fi challenges like lack of uniform access policy, no visibility into the wireless network, inadequate protection against wireless threats, complex or tedious onboarding process, and lack of visibility on user groups.
According to Marketsandmarkets, the global edge computing market size as per revenue surpassed $44.7 billion in 2022 and can rise to $101.3 billion by 2027 at a CAGR of 17.8% for the forecasted period (2022-2027).
This blog explores the significance of Enterprise Managed Wi-Fi services in supporting the proliferation of IoT and smart devices, the challenges they address, and the benefits they bring to businesses and consumers.
- Connectivity and device management
Managed Wi-Fi services offer a fully managed, secure wireless platform integrating Information Technology (IT), Operation Technology (OT), and people. It provides a robust infrastructure for connecting and managing a multitude of IoT devices. It offers a cloud-based centralized management platform with control and monitoring capabilities enabling enterprises to configure and manage their IoT devices efficiently. From provisioning and onboarding to security protocols and firmware updates, these services streamline the device lifecycle, reducing operational complexities and enhancing overall device management. - Security and data protection
Managed Wi-Fi services enable a security posture which is crucial in the IoT landscape. The managed Wi-Fi services offer robust security features to protect IoT devices and the data they generate. By processing sensitive data locally or within a private network using network segmentation, edge devices can minimize data exposure to potential cyber threats as theyβre isolated from other network resources. Managed Wi-Fi services also enable regular security updates and patches to address emerging threats, enhancing the overall security posture of IoT deployments. - Bandwidth management
With the growing adoption of connected devices, scalability becomes a critical factor as transmitting a large amount of data to the cloud for processing can strain network bandwidth and incur significant costs. Enterprise Managed Wi-Fi services are designed to handle large-scale deployments enabling enterprises to seamlessly scale their IoT networks. Enterprises can prioritize critical applications and optimize network resources using advanced bandwidth management techniques to ensure IoT devices receive the optimal bandwidth for their operations, preventing congestion, maintaining smooth communication between devices, and more efficient network utilization. - Reliability and performance
IoT applications and Smart devices often require real-time data exchange and low-latency connectivity. Managed Wi-Fi ensures high reliability and performance for IoT devices by optimizing network configurations and minimizing interference. They employ techniques like load balancing, channel selection, and Quality of Service (QoS) prioritization to maintain a stable and responsive Wi-Fi network. Edge computing reduces the latency required for sending data to a remote cloud server for processing. By processing data at the edge of the network, closer to the devices generating the data, response times can be significantly reduced. It is important for applications that require real-time or near-real-time processing, such as industrial automation and remote monitoring. - Analytics and insights
Enterprise Managed Wi-Fi enables real-time analytics into network performance and device behavior, giving enterprises decision-making capabilities at the network edge. They collect and analyze data on network traffic, device connectivity, and usage patterns, offering actionable intelligence to optimize network resources and improve overall IoT operations. These insights can help identify potential bottlenecks, optimize device placement, and enhance user experiences. Additionally, analytics-driven predictive maintenance can proactively detect and address anomalies, reducing downtime and increasing the lifespan of IoT devices. - Scalability and cost-efficiency
Edge computing allows for distributed computing resources, enabling scalability and cost-efficiency. Instead of relying solely on centralized cloud infrastructure, edge devices can share the computational load and distribute the processing tasks. It can result in reduced network congestion, lower costs associated with cloud resources, and improved scalability to accommodate the increasing number of IoT devices and data volumes.
Wrapping up!
With the growing digital landscape and IoT integration across enterprises, the need to deliver secure, seamless customer and employee experiences become a top priority. Enterprise Managed Wi-Fi services provide a reliable and secure connectivity infrastructure to deliver seamless device management, ensure scalability, optimize network resources, quick & accurate decision making, enhanced production planning, logistics, complete mobility for your workforce, and lower IT support costs.
As the IoT landscape continues to expand, Managed Wi-Fi services will remain crucial in delivering seamless and efficient connectivity for a wide range of applications, enhancing productivity, efficiency, and user experiences.
Performance Matters
SPEAKERS:
Srinivas Padmanabharao, Director of Product Marketing APJ β Akamai
DATE:
Thursday, November 26, 2015
DESCRIPTION:
The ubiquity of mobile devices and proliferation of WiFi has radically transformed customer behavior. Do you understand what customers expect from their online experiences? Do you know what the challenges in delivering to this expectation are and how organizations around the world are dealing with this challenge? Find out in this webinar.
