A functional wireless network is integral to the success of any business. An effective network is a powerful asset, but networks with connectivity issues will hinder productivity. Troubleshooting an underperforming wireless network is a complicated task. Unlike cables, wireless signals are affected significantly by their surrounding environment, and the cause of a problem is not always obvious or intuitive.
Wi-Fi Assessment Overview
A nationwide distribution center had an 876,000-square-foot warehouse with Wi-Fi troubles. They needed an experienced IT solutions provider to update their network, and Sparco was the most highly recommended company.
Wireless network issues affected several processes. These include:
Receiving Products
Incoming pallets of products are received, sorted, processed, and then moved to inventory by forklift.
Generating Orders
Employees process incoming orders, generating lists of products for pickers to retrieve from the storage racks.
Picking Products
Employees move merchandise from storage to packing stations. Picking products places the most demand on the warehouse’s wireless network.
Inventory Management
The warehouse tracks items from the moment the products arrive until they ship.
Proper inventory management is necessary to keep this operation moving efficiently. A reliable wireless network is essential to tracking inventory during all stages of the operation.
Employees depend on tools, like RFID scanners, to track inventory. The scanners need an uninterrupted wireless connection to work correctly. They are essential to properly tracking merchandise moving through the warehouse, and network issues cause unacceptable delays.
Challenges
Network Function
The successful implementation of a wireless network depends heavily on the placement of the access points. Access points are radio transceivers and connect Wi-Fi-enabled devices to a wired network. Several factors affect the effective range of an access point. Walls and other obstructions will block the signal depending on their material composition. Other radio transmitters, including other access points, can also generate interference that limits signal range.
Under Construction...
Under Construction...
Site Survey Pre-Install
After the distribution center contacted us about their Wi-Fi issues, our technicians began helping our new client by performing a site survey. During the survey, we examined the facility’s existing network infrastructure, measured distances, and located potential obstacles and key areas, such as offices.
Many different factors can have a detrimental effect on the strength of a Wi-Fi signal. Common building materials, such as concrete and steel, are particularly effective at absorbing and reflecting the radio waves used by Wi-Fi systems. Taking measurements onsite is the best way to know how a building’s structure interferes with its wireless network. How a client uses their Wi-Fi also informs the new network’s design. Our technicians want to prioritize high-traffic areas. Some rooms, such as offices and conference rooms, will also need higher priority. These are easiest to identify during site surveys.
The site survey revealed multiple issues with the warehouse’s existing wireless network. Our technicians found access points installed in poorly chosen locations. Several access points were broadcasting on the same channels, interfering with each other’s signals. The technicians used this knowledge to start designing a better wireless network. They loaded a map of the warehouse into a special software designed to simulate how Wi-Fi signals propagate. They modeled different layouts and configurations in the software, eventually finding the optimal placement for each access point. We presented the results of the site survey and software simulation to the client. With their approval, we began upgrading their wireless network.
Site Survey Post-Install
After installing and configuring the new wireless network, our technicians performed a follow-up site survey and detected additional issues. They corrected the new-found problems and ensured the new wireless system performed as designed.
We conducted a follow-up survey after the installation of the new access points. The technicians carefully measured the Wi-Fi signal strength at hundreds of locations in the warehouse. Specialized software used the data to generate a heatmap of the wireless network’s performance throughout the warehouse. This information detected minor issues, and the technicians made adjustments to optimize the performance of each access point.
Why Choose Sparco?
We have over 30 years of IT experience and the expertise to craft empowering and personalized technology solutions. Our products and services prepare you for the present and the rapidly evolving digital landscape of the future.
We have partnered with organizations in education, healthcare, government, and commercial enterprises. We understand there is no one-size-fits-all approach to providing our customers with the right IT solution.
We are a knowledgeable guide to the complex and nuanced world of Information Technology. We are a proven partner you can depend on and a dedicated teammate that listens to our customers. We provide the solutions you need instead of trying to sell products and services that won’t benefit you.
We give you peace of mind with robust technology, exceptional service, and comprehensive support. Our services let you focus on running your organization.
We provide every client with Worry-Free IT.