Last week, USA Today posted an article discussing the increase of tablet computers in the business world. This shouldn’t come as a surprise. Tablet computers are cheaper than laptops and can easily be carried around showrooms and offices. With fewer laptops and more space, companies are even saving money on the ever increasing, and seemingly unavoidable, checked bag fee.
What does come as a surprise is that many business execs are buying these tablet computers by the hundreds and even thousands. Often, this is without consulting their IT department. IT Techs suddenly find themselves scrambling to adjust the design and management of their company’s wireless system. Businesses return to their Wi-Fi supplier (because they have to) to purchase expensive controllers and more APs, only to do the same a few years later due to company growth. This everlasting sales cycle becomes time consuming, expensive, and not to mention, annoying.
Now there is a way to break the cycle and keep pace with company growth and industry trends while still maintaining costs. SmartPath Enterprise Wireless system is unlike ordinary wireless systems. Not only does it provide fast, seamless 802.11n throughput, SmartPath APs are considered “equals” in a wired network. With all APs as equals, there is no need for a central controller.
Each SmartPath AP has its own “brain.” It behaves as a high-end switch, sorting packets and sending them to where they’re needed—broadcasted wirelessly to a nearby laptop, passed on to another access point in a wireless mesh arrangement, or sent through the wired network to another endpoint. Because there is no controller, the system scales from two or three APs to thousands of APs—with no hidden upgrade costs.
By being completely self aware, Smartpath APs are able to track a user moving from one AP to another, so you never drop off a network. Thinking you’ll be in trouble if one stops working? They also automatically arrange a failure path with other access points.
With older 802.11a/b/g devices, faster devices would be at the mercy of slower ones. This is not the case with a SmartPath AP. Its advanced circuitry and algorithms allocate air time efficiently, enabling older devices to share the network without slowing down 802.11n connectivity.
Why it’s ideal for your industry:
- Healthcare: Doctors and nurses stay connected; improving patient care. Also track assets for more efficient delivery.
- Education: Speedy wireless allows students and staff to become more hands-on in the classroom.
- Manufacturing: Keep track of inventory wirelessly—without the nightmare of a possible controller failure.
- Hospitality: A full-featured guest management system allows you to manage who can and can’t access your network.
- Government: Robust security and policy enforcement, including firewall and NAC functionality.
Now is the time to update your wireless infrastructure. Thinking about switching to cloud? The management functionality is available as a cloud-based service or standalone appliance, which enables you to manage the entire system from a single, user-friendly GUI consol.
For more information on SmartPath Enterprise Wireless go to www.blackbox.com/go/SmartPath. Not completely convinced? Play around with one of our demo units by calling 1-877-877-2269.
Do you have any plans on upgrading??
