Menu
Vela Blog WiFi

Site Surveys More Important Than Ever

You don’t want to skip this step. Here’s why.

Any enterprise that has deployed or is working on deploying an 802.11-based wireless LAN has heard statements like ‘there is no need to perform a site survey – just install the access points and let the wireless infrastructure sort it out.’ Usually this comes from the wireless LAN hardware vendors themselves and are driven by nothing more than accelerating the sales cycle and selling more hardware. Unfortunately, saying an RF site survey is unnecessary couldn’t be farther from the truth.

The basis for the ‘no-survey’ statements lies in the RF management algorithms built into most current controller-based wireless LAN architectures. The goal of these algorithms is to provide an adaptable RF system capable of dealing with changes in the RF environment in real time. Though it would be wrong to suggest that the RF management functionality of these systems provides no useful benefit, one thing they surely do not provide is a replacement for a comprehensive pre-deployment RF site survey.

Here’s why… Wireless networks are continuing their shift away from a simple purpose-built, single application system toward a more comprehensive, robust multimedia network platform. The reasons for this shift are simple: First, the wireless networks and technologies powering them are becoming more robust and more capable of supporting the wide array of modern applications being deployed on enterprise networks. With continued enhancements such as the 802.11ac standard for high-throughput wireless LAN communications, even bandwidth hungry applications can be supported. Second, organizations are quickly realizing that the ROI of a wireless LAN deployment can be accelerated by layering more applications onto the system. In other words, a WLAN supporting a single application will realize a slower return on investment than a WLAN supporting multiple applications.

More and more, we are seeing businesses large and small look to their wireless networks for voice, video and location-based services. If the network is ready for these applications, no problem. But what if it isn’t? What if all that money was spent on the fancy new wireless network infrastructure and it can’t support the inevitable add-on applications that will be thrown at it? No IT department wants to deal with telling the boss that the network isn’t capable. That’s where the RF site survey comes into play. And it’s not just the physical measurements and analysis performed by the RF engineer that is on site. It’s a comprehensive process including consulting and information gathering to determine what applications the wireless network is intended to support on day one as well as other projects that are in the pipeline that may have a wireless component that hasn’t yet been identified.

The process should be educational for the organization into which the wireless network is being deployed. Helping the technical staff and business units understand what is possible will help to cultivate new ideas for leveraging the investment in the wireless network and accelerating the ROI. The IT department should come away from the site survey process with a better understanding of the technology they are deploying and how it is being deployed, ultimately helping them to provide more comprehensive support to their customers, the business.

I know, I know… You know you should have site surveys performed but it’s hard to justify the cost to management. It’s true – the site survey will cost money. In some cases, quite a bit of it. But it’s a simple question of statistics and economics. Most wireless networks installed without first performing a comprehensive site survey suffer from performance and reliability problems that just can’t be tolerated when voice or location-based services applications are deployed. The cost to remediate these networks can be two or three times the cost of an initial, pre-deployment site survey. In other words, pay a little now to get it right or pay a lot later to fix it.

So how can you justify the cost of the survey to management? Simple… Let’s assume that your hardware vendor suggests a quantity of access points based upon a simple calculation of the square footage of your facility. In all likelihood, this calculation will be conservative and safe, estimating on the high side to help ensure that your facility is fully covered. This method almost always results in the purchase and deployment of more access points than necessary. For now, let’s ignore the fact that having too many access points can be as bad as having too few and let’s focus on costs. The cost of deploying a single extra access point can cover the cost of surveying for one day. If the site survey saves one access point, you’ve covered a single day of survey time. Each access point saved is another day of survey time covered.

But what if the site survey recommends deploying more access points than initially thought? Well, this is where the true value of the survey is realized. If the network had been deployed with too few access points, users would have experienced unreliable and unpredictable performance, resulting in complaints to IT and, worse, low confidence in the network. IT would spend countless hours troubleshooting the problems and addressing user concerns only to find out that additional hardware is necessary and the hardware that is in place may not be installed in the optimal locations. The cost of your IT resource time, outside consulting to perform a remediation site survey and the moves/adds/changes required to bring the network to a point where it is capable of meeting the business needs will likely exceed the cost of a pre-deployment site survey by a significant margin.

It’s always cheaper to do it right the first time So the short answer is simple – It’s always right to survey an area prior to deployment of any wireless technologies. Find a consulting firm that understands the technologies and the business drivers and work together to develop requirements and survey practices that suit your organization. You can then be confident that your wireless network can support most anything you can throw at it.


Connectivity is critical to your business. Don’t trust it to just anyone. Contact Velaspan today.

Still Here?

We're glad you stuck around...

Check This Out

Stay ahead of Cyber Criminals with ACE: Active Cyber Engagement

Deception Technology is Here

Be empowered by a Cellular Coverage Assessment

Click for Case Study

Let's Find Out
What Your Network Needs.

Just answer a few quick questions and receive some immediate thoughts on a plan for your wireless network. No cost or commitment, you might even learn something along the way!

Next

New or Existing Network?

Maybe your existing WiFi network needs work — or maybe you need a new network built from the ground up. In either case, Velaspan's experience and expertise ensure optimal WiFi connectivity and ROI.

Which best applies to you?

Planning for a new network
Make current network better

First, Some Basics

Care to share your name?

Since we're just getting to know each other, a first name will do!

Rather not? That's okay, let's get to it!

For You or a Client?

Velaspan works with a wide range of global businesses AND some of the best IT solution providers worldwide. Are you looking for a network for your own company — or are you a solution provider looking to partner with us to support your client?

I need WiFi for my company
I'm designing for a client

About Your Business

Your business has needs and challenges that are uniquely yours and we'll need a real conversation to address them all! However, we work with clients in virtually every industry, so a few key details can give us a solid starting point to assess your needs.

What industry best describes your business?

Enterprise
Education
Pharmaceutical
Healthcare
Retail
Sports & Entertainment
Manufacturing
Logistics
Industrial

One Facility — or More?

Scalability and size are key factors in WiFi design. A network spanning multiple buildings or facilities requires added consideration around scalability, interoperability, and consistency.

What scenario best describes your project?

Just one facility
Multiple facilities

Your Environment

Today's businesses need comprehensive networks designed for security, connectivity, and longevity – with a close eye on what's on the horizon.

Designing yours starts by understanding your space, which we realize might be vast and varied. Which best describe your physical environments?

When shaping minds, anywhere can be a classroom – if it's connected. Whether your school is inside four walls, outdoors, something else, or all of the above, we've got your wireless covered.

Which best describe your school, campus, or facility environments?

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

Delivering it starts by understanding your space. Which best describe your physical environments?

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.

A successful network starts by understanding the complexity of your space. Which best describe your company's physical environments?

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

Designing and delivering it starts by understanding your space. Which best describe your venue or facility's physical environments?

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

Our work starts by better understanding your space, which often takes different forms across uses. Which best describe your physical environments?

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

Designing wireless that stands up to supply chain demands starts by better understanding your starting point. Which best describe your physical environments?

Whether you're a refinery or a confectionary, you probably face connectivity hurdles – often in hazardous areas, no less. Luckily, industrial connectivity in classified zones is one of our specialties.

Network design starts by understanding your space, which we realize might take different forms across uses. Which best describe your company's physical environments?

Select all that apply:

Next

Existing or Proposed Space?

Is this WiFi network being designed for an existing facility/space, or one that's in the works? It's never too early to get us involved. Whether your network is going into an operational space, you're adjusting for a remodel, or if the ink is still fresh on the blueprints — we can work with you.

Existing building
Remodeling or repurposing
New construction

What Problem Are You Facing?

Looking to make your network better? Great, that's what we do! Which of the following best describe your current challenges?

Select all that apply:

Poor coverage
Unstable connections
Outdated equipment
New requirements
Next

How Old Is Your Network?

A network's age tells us a lot about its lifecycle needs. When was your current network installed?

It's brand new
1-3 years ago
4+ years ago
Not sure

Hardware Vendor

Velaspan is vendor agnostic and we don't sell hardware. It means your network's success is our only focus, i.e. no sales agenda!

We work with all major hardware vendors and can choose the best one for your network if you haven't already. Who do you work with — or are you still deciding?

Cisco
Meraki
HP/Aruba
Extreme Networks
Juniper/Mist
Haven't decided yet
Other

One Step Closer to Better WiFi!

Based on your answers, we'd likely kick off with the following services:

Some other services that would likely apply:

Of course, this is just the start of the conversation! It's hard to beat a real conversation with one of our WiFi experts. Can we reach out?

Slow down, let me explore
Start over
Schedule a Call

A Business is Hacked

Velaspan’s Active Cyber Engagement (ACE) changes everything.

Learn how we're outsmarting them with cutting-edge deception technology, overseen by expert cybersecurity professionals.

Watch Video
Every 14 seconds...