In today’s business environment, mobility has become a critical factor. People are constantly on the go, and they need their data, wherever they are, at any time of the day. And they need that access to be fast, easy to use and reliable.
Simply put, if your employees are out in the field trying to find a Wi-Fi connection at a hotel or coffee shop, you’re at a significant competitive disadvantage. Not to mention the money you’re wasting on wireless cards and connection fees.
As a result, more and more companies are embracing wireless solutions, technologies that allow people to access data anytime, anywhere.
“It has become incredibly affordable for businesses to implement wireless technologies,” says Jitesh Bhayani, of Time Warner Cable Business Class. “If you’ve been spending money on per-day access charges at hotels or coffee shops, a wireless solution is a no-brainer. If your people are on the road and need access to the Internet, to access their data, they need a wireless solution.”
Smart Business spoke with Bhayani about wireless solutions, how they work and how you can benefit from using them.
What technologies are available to help with wireless data and mobility?
A very popular technology that’s growing every day is a 3G or 4G mobile network — a high-capacity mobile broadband network that uses WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), a wireless technology standard. These networks offer high-speed mobile Internet connectivity anywhere you need it, without having to find a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Taking this anywhere, anytime connectivity a step further are new hotspot devices that allow you to connect multiple Wi-Fi-enabled devices at the same time. These coaster-sized devices provide a high-speed mobile Internet connection for up to six users at the same time, assuming they’re at the same location.
It’s a wireless connection, but you have to be in the same general vicinity. So now you can send six people out into the field and they’ll be able to connect to the Internet and access all of their data wherever and whenever they need it.
