WiFi is essential for modern business, with contemporary computing relying on a strong connection to operate with effectiveness. But have you considered outsourcing this service to give your business a speedier, scalable, and more secure connection?
In this article, we’ve explored all things managed WiFi, including how it works, the benefits, and why you might consider managed vs unmanaged solutions.
An introduction to managed WiFi
Managed WiFi is a business IT solution that allows an organisation to outsource the management of a WiFi network to a third-party provider – either independently or as part of a fully-managed service (like managed cloud). The vendor will be fully responsible for your business WiFi, including fixing technical problems, keeping it safe, and upgrading.
How does managed WiFi work?
With managed WiFi, a specialist provider takes responsibility for managing and maintaining your network connection – across all stages. The process of working with a managed WiFi provider typically involves the following steps:
1. Assess your network needs
Your provider will review your existing network infrastructure and identify specific needs and business requirements that can be addressed with improved, bespoke managed WiFi. For instance, the provider will consider things like:
- Network usage patterns
- Required network security
- Expected speed and performance
- Potential for scalability
- Number of devices across the network infrastructure
2. Design a managed WiFi solution
Your provider will then create a bespoke network solution, including:
- Designing the physical and/or virtual infrastructure
- Configuring wireless settings
- Establishing network segments
- Establishing a disaster recovery plan
3. Installation and activation
Your provider will install and configure your new managed WiFi system, according to the bespoke designs. Once installed, the network will be activated and tested for:
- Connection across multiple devices
- Signal strength from different areas of the building or location
- Network speed under various traffic conditions
- Immediate security vulnerabilities
These tests are conducted to ensure the WiFi is functioning effectively; and if there are any faults, they’ll be rectified before full, business-wide roll-out.
4. Network monitoring and ongoing support
With your new network live and fully-active, your managed WiFi provider will continue to perform tests and offer ongoing technical support.
This includes proactively detecting and resolving issues (such as performance problems, hardware or software failures, etc), as well as optimising speed and efficiency. You’ll also typically have 24/7 support available, and your provider will be able to monitor your connection remotely.
5. Upgrading technology
Your provider will design your network around your business needs, but your requirements are likely to change as your business evolves – and you’ll need your WiFi to remain as effective and efficient. Reasons your provider will regularly review upgrade opportunities include:
- Increased number of devices on your network
- Newer technology is available (i.e. increased speed, capacity, efficiency, etc)
- Enhanced security features are available
- Ensuring your network remains compliant with industry regulations
What are the benefits of managed WiFi?
There are many reasons to consider outsourced WiFi management, including:
Performance
Your managed WiFi provider will optimise your network to ensure it’s running as efficiently as possible – giving a fast and reliable connection for all users on all devices. They’ll tap into years’ worth of experience to effectively-configure your settings, to provide consistent, high-level performance.
Security
Security is important across all branches of IT, and something your provider will take extremely seriously. Across your network, you’ll benefit from robust security measures that are designed to proactively scan for threats, identify breaches, and encrypt data.
All security features will be industry-compliant, and network software will undertake regular updates to guarantee best-in-class features are in place. If you’re interested in learning more, explore our guide to cloud security.
Cost-efficiency
Managed WiFi can be a cost-effective investment, for a handful of reasons, including:
- Save internal resource: By outsourcing WiFi management and maintenance, you can free up your internal IT team to help with other business matters. Alternatively, if you don’t already have IT professionals in-house, you can rely on your cloud provider to look after your network, rather than hiring, training, and retaining staff.
- Reduce hardware spend: Opting for cloud-based managed WiFi means you won’t need to invest in and maintain expensive on-premises hardware.
- Flexible spending: Your cloud managed WiFi provider will typically offer flexible, scalable spending depending on the resource you require at any given time -meaning you’re unlikely to spend more than you need.
Scalability
Managed WiFi offers flexible scaling to accommodate your business needs, whether you’re experiencing growth or want to slow down during quieter periods. As you expand, your provider will ensure your network is able to handle increased users and devices, and during quieter periods, resource will be scaled back to ensure you’re not paying for network capacity you don’t need.
Expert support
Perhaps one of the main advantages of working with a managed cloud WiFi provider is round-the-clock, expert support. As well as allowing you to scale back your internal team (or utilise their resource elsewhere), you’ll also benefit from:
- 24/7 access to an experienced advisor who’ll be on hand to assist you at all hours
- Quick troubleshooting to minimise downtime and disruption
- Industry-leading management and best-practice WiFi optimisation
Should I choose managed or unmanaged WiFi?
Your decision to choose managed WiFi vs unmanaged WiFi will depend on your business’ specific needs and priorities, with factors to consider including:
- Network complexity: The bigger your business, the likelier you are to benefit from managed WiFi. Complex networks require extensive management and maintenance, which can be resource-intensive; in which case it’s often worth outsourcing the work.
- In-house IT resource: If you have a large IT team with specific expertise, you may be able to handle business WiFi requirements internally. However, if you have limited resource or expertise, managed solutions might be the better option.
What are the next steps?
If you’re interested in learning more about the different types of managed WiFi, and how this service can benefit your business, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of experts. Or, for extra insight around other cloud services, including cloud consultancy, explore our blog.
