Managed Wi-Fi Access: Making Wireless Work for Your Business
Setting up and securing a basic Wi-Fi network for your customers isn't terribly difficult to do. But if you're not comfortable dealing with technology or simply have better ways to spend your time, there's another option: outsourcing the task.
Hiring a Web-based provider to manage your business Wi-Fi service ensures that you'll get a quick setup and a robust, secure networking experience. It allows you to focus on your core business and to let technology professionals handle every aspect of managing your Wi-Fi network -- with little or no effort on your end. And while basic Wi-Fi setup is relatively easy, outsourced Wi-Fi providers can add a host of management, security, analytics, and marketing tools that even tech-savvy small business owners would have trouble implementing on their own.
Here are some of the benefits your small business can expect from an outsourced Wi-Fi service provider:
Easy setup: With a Web-based service, setting up your Wi-Fi hot spot is very simple. In most cases, depending on the provider you choose, the company will ship a preconfigured Wi-Fi access point to your store. You simply plug this device into your existing cable modem, DSL, or Ethernet connection, and in just a few minutes you'll be up and running. In the event you need additional help or technical support, your provider can typically supply this via phone or email.
No-worry Wi-Fi management: An outsourced, remotely managed Wi-Fi service allows you to pick and choose your configuration options, which the provider then implements automatically. This includes the ability to serve ads to your customers (an option that can help offset the cost of your Wi-Fi service) or set up a paid Wi-Fi access option that requires customers to enter a credit card or loyalty card number for access. Managed Wi-Fi providers also allow you to set time and/or bandwidth limits for customers; use content and website filtering tools to provide a safe browsing environment; and even deploy tracking and analytics tools that help you better understand your customers and build more focused marketing strategies.
Improved security: When a network has been running smoothly for weeks on end, it's easy to forget or put off important security updates and software patches. A Wi-Fi service provider handles this for you, in addition to monitoring your company's wireless network 24 hours a day. The provider handles authentication (that is, the sign-on process) for customers, and it can offer tools that keep customer Wi-Fi traffic separate from your company's internal network. A provider can also protect you by providing end-user agreements that customers must accept before they are allowed access to your Wi-Fi network.
Consistent customer experience and brand recognition: One of the most overlooked benefits of an outsourced Wi-Fi service is its ability to turn your customer Wi-Fi access into a unique and personalized marketing experience. For example, when a customer connects to your Wi-Fi network, they may see a custom welcome screen that offers in-store coupons, promotes a sale or upcoming event, or provides other special offers. When combined with traffic and analytics tools, these kinds of custom marketing tools can more than offset the cost of working with an outsourced Wi-Fi service provider.
