It’s kind of ironic that a leading magazine of today’s cutting-edge technology calls itself Wired, because today’s technology is increasingly wireless. In environments as small as an office and a large as a campus, employees and guests are wirelessly accessing the cloud for work, play, research, and the occasional cat video. How that access is provided can be a critical decision for organizations and users alike.
Read further to get secure wireless access without the hassle...
Efficient, cost-effective wireless networking depends on smart design, proper installation, and careful management. Traditional Wifi implementation puts the equipment and control systems on the organization’s premises along with responsibility for managing them. Installation entails painstaking, sometimes-trial-and-error placement of wireless access points (WAPs) to ensure coverage. It requires deployment of an on-site controller to manage traffic, which can cost thousands of dollars. And if it is to run securely and efficiently, the system needs regular monitoring and updates to keep up with changing traffic and technology. All of that responsibility typically lands in the IT department where it competes, with varying degrees of success, with other organizational priorities.
Now there is an alternative. Cloud Wifi puts the control hardware in the cloud and in the process can eliminate capital investment, reduce ongoing costs, protect company assets, and improve productivity. The Cloud Wifi solution can cut the drain on your IT resources, minimize friction in data access and sharing, and position your organization to operate safely and effectively in an increasingly mobile world. But in order to do all those things, the wireless network has to be effectively implemented and managed.
Today, companies are discovering that, just as they can move applications and storage into the cloud, they can turn Wifi into a cloud-based service as well. Obviously wireless access points have to reside on premise to let wireless devices connect, but the controller and management software don’t. Instead of investing thousands of dollars of capital in those components, they can be expensed as services, eliminating the up-front cost and, in most cases, reducing ongoing costs as well. The hassle of setup can be eliminated if the Wifi service provider designs the system for you. And the day-to-day maintenance of the system can be similarly outsourced, though you may choose to continue making strategic decisions regarding wireless operations.
Consolidated Communications Cloud Wifi is a client-oriented service designed to maximize access, reduce cost, and free up client resources. Turnkey implementation includes everything from purchase and design to installation and support of a system tailored specifically to the client’s needs and operations. An easy-to-use web-based dashboard provides clear oversight of the entire wireless LAN, including a detailed view of network performance and information on devices using the network. It enables:
- Instant analysis of performance and connectivity
- Tools for multi-site network management, monitoring, and alerts
- control of security levels
- control of user and guest access
- bring-your-own-device (BYOD) management
- continuous feature updates delivered from the cloud
- speedy Zero Touch Provisioning
Access and features can be managed by your authorized staff, or you can have Consolidated Communications manage the entire Wifi operation.
Before you commit to an implementation, Consolidated Communications will perform a free predictive site survey. This no-cost, no obligation, software-based analysis generates a fairly detailed design to maximize Wifi coverage. For a low additional monthly fee Consolidated Communications can provide an on-site survey that provides an even more in-depth analysis of your environment to optimize wireless network access and minimize cost.
Fault tolerant design ensures maximum uptime, and once the system is in place you can take as much control as you want or let Consolidated Communications handle it all including 24/7 support. Let Consolidated Communications show you just how easy Wifi can be.