Methodology — WiFi as a Service

Wireless Internet is a Utility

“No matter what industry you’re in today, secure WiFi is a mission-critical service.”

There are plenty of stats available from Gartner, Forester, and others on how quickly businesses have moved to WiFi as the primary method of connecting to the world.

We started SecurEdge before we had iPhones and iPads. Back then, WiFi speeds were much slower than wired networks, and WiFi was considered “hotspot” access.

Today, the typical business person doesn’t need someone else to tell them that WiFi is essential. We book our flights and hotel plans based on WiFi availability.

If WiFi goes down in the office, we relocate to coffee shops or our home office. WiFi has gone from a nice-to-have service to a must-have service.

Here’s how networking has evolved into a mobile-first world:

Web-Based Applications

Bandwidth is cheap, and most of the applications we use have moved to the cloud. Our email (365, Gmail), CRM (Salesforce), accounting system, school learning software, it is all on the web. Cloud-based software as service models is here to stay.

WiFi Only Devices

Smartphones, tablets, and many devices like the Surface or MacBook do not have wired connections available. Their only way to access the network is WiFi.

“Nobody is plugging in with a wire anymore.”

IoT Devices

Many of our higher education customers have nearly five devices per person on average. We once counted the number of different IoT systems being used by a healthcare customer and found that more than twenty different systems are relying on WiFi as their only way o connect.

WiFi-enabled time clocks, insulin pumps, and temperature sensors-it is all coming to your WiFi network. We are still in the early phases of the IoT explosion.

WiFi Speeds

WiFi is fast, nearly as fast as wired connections. A properly designed system has more than enough speed to handle anything a mobile device can do.

Assuming you keep up with the changes in WiFi technology, WiFi speeds increase by a factor of 4X every three years.

End-User Expectations Are Higher Than Ever

IT managers have a lot of pressure on them to provide secure WiFi while making it seamless to the end-users. The typical user on the network doesn’t care about how complex it is to build a large-scale WiFi solution.

They want it to “just work.” Not only do they want it to work, but they want it to work well. Businesses are being rated based on their WiFi performance.

Customers expect WiFi from most companies. Customers are running performance tests on a business network and posting results online.

Secure WiFi is a Utility

If the way we do business is on a wireless device (which it is) and our applications are cloud-based (which they are), then secure WiFi has become a utility.

Thinking of WiFi as a utility requires a mental shift for many, but it’s required. This new mobile-first world is evolving quickly. The typical IT manager faces a whole new set of challenges around security, design, and support.

SecurEdge started solely as a WiFi engineering company; we’ve specialized in Secure WiFi since 2005. We have some engineers with more than 10,000 working hours doing nothing but large-scale WiFi and security infrastructure.

We’re confident we can help guide you through the process of getting WiFi deployed properly for your business. We hope you can learn a little bit from our experiences.

WiFi is Complicated…and Risky

Businesses buy internet access with service level agreements from their internet service provider, but most agreements with ISP’s stop at the telco closet. The task of providing wireless internet is typically left to the business to figure out.

Performance and security around WiFi have gotten complex as the usage has exploded and most businesses struggle with how to get started. We’ve spent the last twelve years doing nothing but large-scale WiFi systems.

Here are some things we’ve learned for you to consider:

1. Secure WiFi is a system

It’s not enough to order some access points off the internet. Many things impact WiFi and its performance. Switching, firewalls, network access control, and the internet connection itself can all be responsible for poor user experience .

SecurEdge needs to integrate these components into your active directory infrastructure, and they need to operate as one system.

2. Security must come first

The growth of IoT devices and BYOD programs have created a complex environment for WiFi. Not to mention the myriad of network attacks and WiFi hacks we read about in t he news .

3. Providing good WiFi is a process

WiFi, unlike wired networks, changes all the time.

• The number of applications (usage),
• the number of devices (capacity),
• and even the radio frequency environment changes

To keep up with the changes, we must measure the performance of a system and make adjustments over time.

Good WiFi Starts with the Right Services Process

You’re reading this, which means you’re likely doing research online on how to solve the problem of secure WiFi.

Analyze > Design > Deploy > Support

IT decision-makers are inundated with information from people selling stuff. It’s important sometimes to take a step back and evaluate the goals of the solution, then develop a methodology for deciding on the right platform.

“It would be a poor decision to use a WiFi solution in a warehouse that was designed to support guest WiFi access in a hotel.”

We use a thorough assessment process to determine the right WiFi stack for your business.

1. We examine the environment, applications, and devices.

A good doctor makes a diagnosis after understanding the patient, family history, symptoms, and the environment. When it comes to solution design, we have decades of experience, but we still need to customize a plan for you.

2. We use third-party industry research.

Trust but verify. The marketing arm of WiFi Manufacturer X says they’re the best. But, it’s important to know what the industry experts say.

3. SecurEdge Lab.

We have every product over one percent market share in our lab. It’s important to see the different features that exist with each solution.

Our approach is to first work with the customer to determine the intended use of the system, then pick the right architecture and solution stack for their business.

Analyze > Design > Deploy > Support

Wi-Fi is complex, so issues do pop up on a regular basis. However, most WiFi issues we see are directly related to poor Wi-Fi solution design or no design at all.

We could tell horror stories about customers who wanted WiFi to work well, so they purchased whatever the manufacturer recommended.

Here are some things we’ve learned about engineering Wi-Fi for your business.

1. We start with security architecture .

2. We design for how you will use the system.

It sounds logical, and yet it’s consistently overlooked. Consider your campus or business. Some areas are low density, like hallways or offices; other areas might be larger meeting halls or classrooms.

3. We use expensive software instead of expensive onsite visits.

We use industry-leading predictive RF software to plan out your WiFi network. We find it’s accurate within 5–10% of the real world.

Analyze > Design > Deploy > Support

The advantage of doing the same things over and over is that you become good at developing processes to make things flow smoothly for the customer.

“How do we install your system in a way that creates the LEAST amount of friction for your business?”

Over the years, we’ve implemented systems in more than half the states in the US, many islands in the Caribbean, and four different countries.

We’ve learned a lot about the process of managing WiFi installations and ensuring we meet maintenance windows for network changes and upgrades.

We’ve developed templates for every part of the WiFi deployment process. Our engineering team will manage the installation, configuration, and onboarding into your support team or ours.

Analyze > Design > Deploy > Support

WiFi is dynamic and complicated. We don’t think of it like a Cat6 wire in a wall. A great deal of engineering expertise goes into getting a system designed and deployed correctly, but unfortunately, the work doesn’t stop there.

Even if the design is accurate and the deployment process flows smoothly, here’s what will happen over time:

• The usage changes. Consider how much of our network traffic is content today vs. just five years ago. Many of our customers are seeing an increase of 15–30% per year in bandwidth consumption.
• IoT is still at the beginning stages with more devices going online each year.
• Security threats are evolving rapidly and WiFi security must evolve to keep pace.
• The number of devices per person grows over time.
• The radio-frequency (RF) environment changes as more and more systems convert to WiFi and more businesses deploy WiFi networks

What is the Best Way for Businesses to Provide WiFi?

In 2003, if you were building a web application you would start with purchasing servers. As your application gained users, your app required more and more servers, then storage, then management appliances, then power and lots of bandwidth.

Mobile devices (smartphones in particular) evolve at a pretty astonishing rate. Look at the graphic below.

CAPEX or OPEX?

The CAPEX model is a method of purchasing wireless infrastructure by which the business makes a large, one-time payment for the hardware and implementat ion of its wireless network.

Typically, a business purchases the equipment and software, then budgets yearly for the maintenance of the system. Some businesses consider the cost a “capital expense,” and the ongoing costs “operational expenses . “

Many times, financially this makes a lot of sense for new building construction to just wrap the WiFi solution into the budget for the building then depreciate the assets over time.

But there are challenges to acquiring a product that changes rapidly and treating it like new building construction. Here are a few challenges to buying WiFi as a capital expense.

Challenge #1: It creates different levels of service across your business.

Now you have the latest and greatest system in the new wing , but the old wing is running on the three -year-old WiFi infrastructure.

Challenge #2: CAPEX purchases do not align properly with how fast technology changes.

If the technology asset loses value faster than the depreciation schedule, you’re going to have a hard time convincing your CFO for an upgrade.

She’s thinking: “I just gave you capital for that WiFi upgrade.” She’s right. It’s a hard sell to get a WiFi upgrade every 36–48 months; it likely doesn’t match your organization’s funding schedule.

“The CAPEX model guarantees you’ll always have to ask for more money.”

Challenge #3: The funding process is typically a competition between the IT department and the rest of the business for a limited amount of capital.

CFO: “How much will it cost to do this right?”

IT Manager: “$500K.”

CFO: “You can have $250K.”

“Businesses should purchase WiFi in a way that allows them to keep up with the devices they are required to support.”

WiFi as a Service

The subscription model is one payment for everything you need.

To help further explain what SecurEdge Subscriptions are and how they work, here is a whiteboard video from Philip Wegner, Founder, and CEO of SecurEdge Networks.

WiFi as a Service Architecture

The complexity of design and support requires advanced e ngineering , so it’s not just like adding another license for a cloud-based product. However , we can simplify the experience .

SecurEdge WiFi as a Service s treamline s the workflow and delivery model of the infrastructure required onsite , and it combine s th e advantages of cloud software with m anaged network services.

WiFi as a Service is Flexible

Hardware as a Service

Core Belief #1: Open Architecture

We don’t like being pigeonholed into specific products by a proprietary closed architecture. Some WiFi manufacturers do this to force you into their entire product suite. We believe in an open architecture that allows us to integrate whatever you (the customer) want. This gives you the most flexibility.

Core Belief #2: Standards-Based

Core Belief #3: Best in Breed

“SecurEdge hardware as a service provides industry-leading products in a flexible, as-a-service subscription model.”

Software as a Service

S alesforce.com, Microsoft 365, and Adobe Creative Cloud are all products delivered to us by subscription. Small businesses can receive the same features large companies receive because of the shared backend and the ability to purchase on a per — seat basis.

Network Monitoring

Real-Time WiFi Visualization

The problem with troubleshooting Wi-Fi or users on WiFi is that WiFi signals are invisible . When we turn on your system , we ‘ll give you real-time views into the floor plan, WiFi coverage, users connected, and the health of the WiFi system. You’ll be able to easily see and pinpoint what is happening with your end-users.

Guest Management

Network Access Control

NAC software is the engine that allows us to provide role-based access control. We can secure IoT devices, onboard users, and profile every device on your infrastructure. It’s perhaps the most important security function for your network.

Performance Testing

SecurEdge can deploy sensor technology that tests your network based on the end user’s experience. Gone are the days of walking around with a tablet and trying to troubleshoot a WiFi issue. Sensor technology along with testing software can automate performance testing.

“The goal of our subscription model is to provide you with the best tools available on the market to help create the best user experience possible.”

Managed Network Services

When you purchase a managed WiFi subscription from SecurEdge , you receive the entire services process with the solution. But you might be wondering, “What does it take to deliver a good WiFi service level agreement after a system has been installed?”

As you probably guessed, we have a methodology for that. We’ve distilled the WiFi support process down into three main categories.

Each category involves utilizing software and specific tasks that we complete to keep your WiFi at the optimal performance level.

We Monitor the NetworkWe Proactively Manage the Upgrade Process

Many problems with WLAN systems are predictable with the right WiFi analytics tools. The right management process can proactively prevent issues.

Each component of a WLAN system has software that needs to be managed and updated . We’ve developed a five-step process that is completed each month to ensure you have the most stable environment.

We Measure the End-User Experience

How to Get Started

WiFi is complicated , dynamic, and must be completely secure . S ecurEdge provides the simplest way to solve these challenges by combining the hardware, software, and services your business needs on one simple subscription .

We’ve found that the as — a — service model enables businesses to align the ir WiFi technology with the short life-cycle of today’s devices, take advantage of cloud-based software , and receive the benefits of a defined managed support process.

“WiFi as a Service properly aligns what businesses need (hardware + software + services) with a sustainable way to purchase it.”

So, as we come to the end of this guide, we sincerely hope you have gained valuable insights into the immense potential WiFi as a Service offers to simplify how you provide fast, secure WiFi for your business.

The best way to get started is by first, reading this guide — check! And next, you have two options:

• Visit our get started page OR
• Talk to a mobility specialist right now

From there we can discuss how to best move forward with your project.

If you have any questions, many of them can be answered on our pricing page in the FAQ section, simply click the link below.

Today, every industry needs to provide fast, secure WiFi, and WiFi as a Service offers the simplest solution to do just that.

Originally published at https://www.securedgenetworks.com.