The Internet of Things (IoT) is becoming more and more relevant in workplaces and customer service practices. But what should you be looking at when upgrading your internet infrastructure?
It is estimated that by 2020, there will be 24 billion devices capable of connecting to the internet and part of the IoT. Many of these devices will require little to no input from the user and will sit connected in the background, providing added functionality due to internet connectivity. To give you an idea of the scale of IoT, Samsung have set a goal of ensuring all products they produce will be IoT ready by 2020. If you haven’t upgraded your wireless network yet, it’s certainly something to consider doing soon. Whether you have an office full of IoT equipment operational throughout the day, or a retail space in which customers will be expecting to be able to connect, you need a robust wireless environment to be able to cope with the added demand.
Here’s what you’ll need to consider when upgrading your wireless network for IoT…
Depending on the layout of your office or store, you will likely need a number of access points to be able to serve the space effectively. As well as installation, you need to think about the layout and optimal places for your equipment to go.
You may need to hire a structured cabling company to install new cables to enable the optimal layout of wireless access points.
Once your wireless network is in place and up and running, you should assess the security of yours and your customers’ devices. Ensure your network is secure to prevent hackers from exploiting your data via the back door.
Wireless networks do require maintenance, and will need updating relatively regularly. Ensure you can maintain your network long term to prevent down time or security issues.
Your equipment needs to be able to cope with the numerous devices that will be connecting to it, and be able to perform at a high level even when coming under strain.
If you would like to discuss your wireless requirements, we’d be happy to have a chat! Drop us a line here.