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Determining the Business Need for Wireless Networks

If you are running a small- or medium-sized business, you are likely to have some type of local area network (LAN). This LAN connects any internal servers you're using, such as Windows servers. Employees probably have desktops that connect to the network, and of course, any wireless networks.

However, you should carefully consider whether you actually need a wireless (Wi-Fi) network. After all, today's smartphones, ebook readers, and other devices are all built to take advantage of the presence of Wi-Fi. But do you actually need a wireless network in your workplace?

You should carefully weigh the answers to the following questions to help you get started on the path of thinking about your need for wireless:

• Do you have any devices such as notebooks that need to connect? — The first answer that may come to mind is, “Yes, I have a smartphone that needs wi-fi.” Leaving off the table that your telephone service provider can give you more secure access than Wi-Fi, consider the wireless devices your sales force carries with it. For example, smart marketers today have crafted Wi-Fi– enabled printers. What do you want to bet that many of those will be unsecured after installation? If possible, try to eliminate as much of a “wireless” network in favor of wired network as possible.
• Do you have outside contractors, vendors, or sales persons who need wireless connectivity? — This scenario is not at all uncommon. The sales people you may ...