BENEFITS

Cost
Over the long run, WLANs cost less to own and maintain versus wired LANs. Less is spent when offices are reconfigured or as the organization grows and changes. While the initial investment required for WLAN hardware can be higher than the cost of a wired LAN, overall installation expenses, maintenance costs, and life-cycle costs are significantly lower.

Mobility & Flexibility
Wireless technology allows the network to go where wires cannot go. It enables the users to roam around the coverage area without loosing network connectivity. This mobility supports productivity and service opportunities not possible with wired networks.

High Data Rate
WLANs are now matching the performance of most wired Ethernet LANs. Users can access information at up to 11Mbps. WLAN performance is ever-increasing as new technologies are being developed.

Scalability & Ease of Installation
If an organization already has a wired network, it can expand the current network with wireless access points. 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g wireless technology can effectively satisfy current needs while allowing plenty of room for growth in the future. Configurations are easily changed and range from peer-to-peer networks suitable for a small number of users to full infrastructure networks of thousands of users that enable roaming over a broad area.

Interoperability
Customers can mix WLAN products from multiple vendors. Wireless network manufacturers have products designed to the IEEE 802.11 industry standard.

Security
Users can build a comprehensive security system and be assured that the wireless link is not compromising the security of the network. Most wireless network manufacturers offer solutions with WEP (wired equivalent privacy) including 11 megabits per second.