What You Should Consider Before Going Wireless

Today’s business owners are more mobile than ever before. The modern worker is no longer tethered to their desk at the office, and instead, can work in ways which allow them to get the most out of their workday. Wireless technology is great, but how does it affect your network? Should you stick with a wired network connection, or should you try to make that wireless, too?

The question of whether or not your business should go completely wireless is tricky to answer. There are advantages and disadvantages to both wired and wireless technology, and every business’s needs will differ. Here are some arguments to consider when contemplating the conundrum of a wireless network infrastructure.

The Case for Wireless
The primary reason that folks tend to use wireless technology is for the lack of wires that restrict mobility. By eliminating the wired components of your network infrastructure, you’re effectively eliminating the need to run cables all over the office to add new workstations and other pieces of hardware to it. The end result is a scalable network that makes your technology much easier to remember.

Of course, wireless technology isn’t completely impervious to failure. Your wireless connection could be disrupted by something as commonplace as a microwave or other household appliance. Plus, it becomes absolutely critical that your business secures any and all access points to your network, with some sort of encryption or password security protocol. Any unauthorized devices (and even those that are authorized) can become a threat to your business’s network infrastructure, which is why your organization needs to implement a comprehensive Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy that’s designed to target Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

The Case for Wired
In comparison to wireless technology, businesses that utilize a wired network infrastructure tend to experience increased security and reliability. Any new devices added to the network need to be physically plugged into an access point in order to connect, which means that you don’t have any random hackers accessing via your wireless signal. A wired connection isn’t going to be blocked by walls, floor, or the like, making it somewhat more reliable than the typical wireless network signal.

Wired technology, unlike wireless, makes for a much more complex infrastructure that isn’t so easily altered. Adding new users and equipment demands a certain level of consideration and expertise that only trained professionals should provide. Plus, being tied down to your location is somewhat unappealing, making it much more difficult to properly leverage your business’s technology.

Whether you focus on a wired infrastructure, or you want to concentrate on improving mobility with a wireless network solution, Computerware has your back. To learn more, give us a call at (703) 821-8200.