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Making the Most of a Tight Budget: Interim Wireless for a Pharmaceutical Client

When full network redesign isn’t in the cards, a refresh can sometimes provide in-the-meantime relief. Learn how Velaspan maximized a pharmaceutical client’s fixed budget to ensure essential wireless across their facility for the foreseeable future.


The Challenge

In 2019, a pharmaceutical manufacturing company faced an urgent and growing problem: Sorely underperforming wireless at one of their Midwestern locations. Connections were dropping and connectivity was compromised in cleanrooms, transit hallways, and on the packaging room floor. 

They reached out and asked us to visit, assess the situation, and propose a solution.  

Getting Started

Velaspan engineers traveled to the facility and conducted an onsite wireless coverage assessment. After gathering and reviewing results, we performed a remote configuration review. These critical steps are interdependent: Configuration reviews identify opportunities to optimize system performance; this information is more meaningful once we understand coverage – which can only be achieved through a wireless coverage assessment.  

What We Discovered

We had suspected the wireless network was dated (our client was unsure of its age) based on several things, including facility size relative to the low number of access points (a reflection of a bygone era when networks were designed for fewer devices). Our wireless coverage assessment and configuration review confirmed that hunch. And under-design was only half of the problem: The network’s existing access points – already so old that they were unavailable through the manufacturer – were beginning to reach EoSL, the point at which supportability comes into question.  

What We Proposed

Velaspan recommended what the pharmaceutical facility truly needs to stay consistently and effectively connected: A complete wireless network redesign. 

They understood and agreed. There was just one problem: A full network redesign wasn’t in that year’s budget. In the meantime, operations desperately sought relief from increasingly unstable wireless. 

Velaspan’s Solution 

Clear that remediation was the extent of what the client’s budget could support, two options existed:  

In the first, up-to-date hardware could be added to existing, dated hardware to theoretically offset coverage gaps. But while some manufacturers endorse mixing hardware generations, Velaspan has seen firsthand the problems this can create. We therefore rarely recommend this approach. 

As such, we proposed – and the client approved – our second option, which consisted of a three-part makeshift plan:

First, Velaspan would improve the existing network’s configuration. While this would only go so far, it would iron out some connectivity issues. 

Secondly, we would add to the existing network about 50 same-generation access points the client had been able to secure through a reseller. Although new in the box, these access points were anything but current – yet could serve as a temporary fix. We evaluated and walked the client through the EoSL implications; ultimately, all parties agreed that the access points’ benefits justified the incurred risk.      

Third, we widened the access point conversation and addressed network life cycle as a whole. Velaspan developed a life cycle management strategy and plan for the client that would keep this interim network – and their future network – from hitting the same point of failure and obsoletion.

Once this refresh was greenlit, Velaspan spec’d out locations and created a network design that honored the client’s budget and utilized the 50 new-old access points. We intermittently visited the facility at key junctures during cabling and installation (which was handled by the client’s local vendor). To maximize the client’s investment in new cabling, efforts were made to place access points at locations that would be consistent with the eventual full redesign.

Once the remediated network went live, Velaspan handled post-installation coverage assessment and validation, ensuring a seamless deployment and best-possible results.  

Outcome

Much to our pharmaceutical client’s relief, their refreshed network – designed with an eye toward their future network – provides the stopgap wireless connectivity they need. While not perfect, it sufficiently supports the plant’s necessary functions until a complete redesign is feasible. Emphasis on until: Due to supply chain issues, the larger redesign is experiencing delays outside of anyone’s control. Yet the remediated wireless network by Velaspan endures, allowing the pharmaceutical facility to continue operations as they count down to a complete network overhaul.

If you're interested in seeing the type of results we can achieve for your business, don't hesitate to reach out to us for a consultation.

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Often global and always complex, pharmaceutical operations require high-performance wireless across labs, cleanrooms, boardrooms, and more.

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Healthcare is high-stakes, 24/7, and ever dependent on wireless — demanding a strong signal across every square inch of space.

Designing a network that stands up to your needs starts by understanding that space. Which best describe your healthcare facility's physical environments?

From in-store points of sale to e-commerce, retail is increasingly dependent on high-performance wireless for operations as well as customer experience.

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From fan livestreams to broadcast signals to record-breaking crowds, venues and visitors need winning wireless.

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Vast, hazardous, and teeming with movement, manufacturing spaces are tough to design for — and one of our specialties.

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Your business can't afford dead spots or a weak signal — but is probably ripe with them.

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In healthcare, secure and consistent connectivity is essential for managing patient data, communications, and medical devices. Private cellular networks enable real-time monitoring, mobile access, and secure communications across large hospital environments. Which of these use cases best fits your needs? And if you're unsure, no problem!

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In the chemical, gas, and oil industries, safety and monitoring are critical. Private cellular networks provide secure, uninterrupted connectivity for field operations, IoT monitoring, and communications in hazardous environments. Which of these use cases best fits your operations? If you're not sure, no worries!

Ports and maritime operations require large-scale, seamless connectivity to manage logistics, cargo, and communications. Private cellular networks enable real-time tracking and monitoring across large areas, ensuring smooth and secure operations. Which of these use cases best describes your needs? And if you're not sure, that's perfectly okay!

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Manufacturing organizations often handle a mix of proprietary data, operational technology, and supply chain information, making them a target for various cyber threats. Of course, the security standards you need to follow can feel like a confusing alphabet soup (ISO, NIST, CMMC, anyone?). Which standards or frameworks do you currently follow in your manufacturing environment? And if you're not sure, that's okay too!

Educational institutions manage a wide array of sensitive information, from student records to financial data, making them an attractive target for cyberattacks. Security standards can help — even if they sound like an endless string of acronyms (FERPA, NIST, ISO). Which cybersecurity standards or frameworks do you adhere to within your institution? Not sure? That's perfectly fine too!

Healthcare organizations face unique challenges when it comes to securing patient information, complying with regulations, and maintaining the integrity of healthcare services. With so many standards (HIPAA, ISO, NIST — it's a lot, we know), it's crucial to keep track. Which security and compliance frameworks does your healthcare organization follow? If you're not sure, don't worry; we've got you covered.

The finance sector deals with highly sensitive financial information, making it a prime target for cybercriminals. To protect client data and ensure regulatory compliance, implementing the right standards is essential — even if they sound like a bunch of acronyms (PCI-DSS, ISO, GDPR). Which standards guide your organization's practices? And if you're unsure, no problem!

Media and entertainment companies manage everything from intellectual property to consumer data, requiring strict security measures. The standards you might follow (ISO, PCI-DSS, GDPR) can feel like a code only decipherable by cybersecurity experts. Which ones apply to your organization? And if you're not sure, that's perfectly okay!

Retail businesses handle a vast amount of customer data and payment information, requiring strict security measures to prevent breaches. The standards (PCI-DSS, GDPR, ISO) can feel like a jumble of letters, but they're crucial. Which security frameworks do you follow in your retail operations? And if you're not sure, that's okay too!

Enterprises often operate in complex environments, dealing with sensitive information across multiple systems. The alphabet soup of standards (ISO, NIST, SOC) can help guide your security strategy — but we get it, it's a lot to keep track of. Which frameworks do you follow? And if you're not certain, don't sweat it!

Government agencies manage critical and sensitive information, making them prime targets for cyber threats. Adhering to security standards (CMMC, FISMA, NIST) is essential — but sometimes, it can feel like deciphering a code. Which frameworks does your agency follow? And if you're not sure, that's understandable!

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