Managed Wireless is an outsourced managed wireless network that lets users, tenants, or visitors to connect to your network through multiple access points, ensuring wide property-wide coverage. Managed networks provide a cost-efficient solution for businesses and organizations looking for a more reliable and flexible alternative to traditional Ethernet cabling. This option is ideal for data centers and other large spaces where multiple access points would be impractical or cost-prohibitive. However, managed networks are not suitable for all businesses, as there are a few caveats you should consider before diving in.
Managed networks have gained traction in recent years as a convenient choice for both personal and commercial applications. But what exactly is a managed wifi provider? In essence, it is a vendor-neutral third-party supplier of managed networks. These providers typically offer unmanaged access from a wireless point-to-point. A managed network can be provided by hardware or software. A provider may also offer the managed wifi functionality through its own software platform.
So, what makes a managed network more appealing than a cloud-based or stand-alone wireless network? For one, a managed wifi provider has the advantage of being fully managed. Wireless network providers in the Philippines work under the AT&T VMD (Vuayleth) brand, but many providers in the region are providing managed wifi solutions developed by third-party vendors. The vendor independence gives vendors flexibility and increased opportunity for custom. Managed networks are usually offered at a lower cost per point because of the specialization of the service. Many service providers offer highly efficient services with multiple access points, multiple encryption methods, and reliable security features.
Another advantage of choosing managed wifi providers is the software tools that come along with the service.
The tools usually includes network monitoring software that will alert a business owner if there are problematic or unauthorized wireless devices accessing the network. Some providers even feature intrusion detection system. This enables the business owner to remotely disable unwanted or illegal wireless devices on his access point.
Managed networking service providers normally provide their customers with routers based on Cisco technology. In a nutshell, routers (also known as transceivers) are used to gain access to wireless resources like access points, repeaters, and private networks. Besides offering a secure connectivity, managed access point devices are equipped with advanced features that allow for secure Wi-Fi connectivity.
Managed wi-fi solutions can either be used for personal or professional purposes.
Personal devices like smart phones, tablets, laptops, and netbooks function well with a managed wifi solution. Businesses with internet-connected computers can also benefit from a managed wireless network. With this type of connection, businesses can provide their employees access to the internet on their company owned devices such as laptops, smart phones, and tablets.
Businesses that opt to have this type of managed service providers can also speed up their internet connection by using their bandwidth more efficiently. Since the main purpose of having these types of services is to control how much bandwidth is used, providers usually configure their clients’ access points to use less bandwidth. This would, in turn, allow users to surf the internet more quickly. However, it should be noted that not all providers would configure their clients’ access points to limit bandwidth so users might not experience significant improvement in their internet connection speed.
- Businesses that prefer to have their own access point can choose from a wide array of unmanaged wifi providers.
- Before selecting a provider, business owners should check whether their chosen provider offers a comprehensive service package, including hardware and software updates, network reliability, and security services.
- Businesses that are planning to boost their network reliability should consult with their selected provider to determine what types of services they can expect from them.
