WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY
Unplugged: Is it right for your business?
Implementing a computer network is often one of a
business’ most important capital additions, and often the
most expensive. The improved technology of wireless networks
makes them a more viable option now. Wireless networks can
provide a company’s workers with increased access and
flexibility, cost less, and have no higher security risk than a
wired network.
How to decide if wireless is the right option for your
business? Here are a few questions to consider:
1. What physical problems
might you encounter? Installing a wired network can
often be difficult in older buildings. Wireless networks, while
easier to install, can be hampered by structural issues that
cause dead spots. Before deciding, you need to have technicians
look at your building, and perform radio frequency tests to
determine the number and location of wireless access
points.
2. How much do you want to
spend? A full-office retrofit for a wireless network
will initially cost more than running a few cables from an
installed wired network because of the additional equipment
needed. For an older building without an installed wired
network, a wireless network will likely cost less to implement
because it avoids complex construction issues. Over time,
wireless networks often have lower capital, operational and
service expenditures, and it’s also cheaper to add new
users. The non-profit Wi-Fi Alliance answers questions on
equipment, compatibility and standards. Go to www.wi-fi.org for
more information.
3. Is mobility important to
your business? Laptops with wireless capabilities can
benefit your employees in the office, at home and at public
hotspots by creating continual access to your network and
opportunities to multitask — which can mean more
productivity for you. Intel reports that it has gotten two
hours extra in productivity per employee per week since it
shifted most of its workforce from desktop PCs to mobile
laptops and notebook computers. Intel offers a tool to analyze
how a wireless system could improve your employee productivity
and reduce technology costs. Go to
www.intel.com/business/smallbusiness/roi.htm.
One of the biggest concerns about a wireless network is
security. But the unprotected wireless world where information
was easily pirated is a thing of the past, experts say.
Encryption technology has evolved to the point that wireless
networks are now considered as secure as hard-wired
networks.
Jim Johnson, vice president of Intel’s mobility group
and former general manager of Intel’s wireless networking
group, says the encryption of data on a wireless network now
provides robust protection.
“Wi-Fi needed to mimic the security protections of hard
lines, because we couldn’t physically protect the waves
like the cables hidden in the walls of a building. Engineers
developed encryption mechanisms to protect the wireless
waves,” says Johnson, “but now we’ve come
full circle, as engineers are working to bring the same
encryption protection to Ethernet lines.”
Andy Hunt, of Pro Activist Computer Support in Portland,
installs both wired and wireless networks. He says it is
usually the user, not the network, that allows a security
breach. “I’d say that maybe 20% of the clients I
encounter run wireless systems with no encryption at all, and
it seems that no one updates their patches.” Hunt advises
users to set up automatic updates and use strong passwords.
“Digits are like the notches on a key. The more you have,
the more difficult to crack.”
Another way wireless networks can provide more data security
is through private access networks and local access networks.
These networks can limit access and segregate users.
So is wireless right for you? Your office infrastructure and
user needs will dictate what type of network to install, but
the evolving capabilities of wireless technology make it a
smart choice to consider.
— Robert H.
Hamrick
RESOURCES:
www.wi-fiplanet.com offers a
guide to wireless technology, including news, features, product
reviews and tutorials.
www.wifinerd.com provides links
to wireless news, resources, vendors and tools.
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