4 key mitigating factors impacting the deployment of wireless infrastructure (and how to overcome them)

Wireless communication offers cutting edge connectivity that cannot be rivalled by ground-based systems. The effective deployment of wireless technologies, from the very first preinstallation survey using surveying platforms such as Ekahau, AirMagnet & iBwave, to the installation of access point cabling and related infrastructure can now take days rather than weeks.

This piece will show you the challenges faced with wireless deployment and the steps to take to ensure its success.

1 - Managing the complexities of a Statement of Works (SOW)

An SOW is imperative for any large-scale project. Without one, project outcomes can become distorted over time and lead to deliverables being missed or misunderstood.

You want your provider to be as transparent as possible from the outset, and throughout the timeline of your project. In a job with as many intricacies as wireless deployment, you want confidence that the work is being conducted in a methodical way and checkpoints are being hit in a timely manner.

The implementation of an automated system to track engineer telematics will safeguard the progress of deployment in your site. The best systems will have full visibility of each engineer’s actions during their time on the job, highlighting key areas of work such as equipment used, sub-tasks completed, signing on/off time, and location.

Dedicated metrics matching key points within your received SOW will enable you to keep abreast of progress and maintain an effective deployment.

2 - Centralised Data Management

Your engineer telemetry is set up, and you are confident that the metrics match your Statement of Works. But tracking each individual engineer will take up far too much time, which will inevitably stall progress.

You could ask the team leader for a roundup but in a multi-faceted project such as Wireless deployment, each team will have a different way of reporting.

How can you be certain of progress when you’re receiving information from different sources, using different nomenclature, potentially even showing discrepancies from report to report?

Incorporating a centralised data management scheme will remove inefficiencies in reporting. All data stored in one place is useful for ad hoc reviews, but true value is having a uniform reporting structure and sequence. This will remove the inconsistencies and provide a solid foundation to present progress. Uniformity makes spotting potential issues simpler, maybe even stemming bottlenecks and delays before they emerge.

3 - Securing the correct personnel for the relevant requirements

The SOW is established and tracking accordingly, your data will be sent and reported in an effective way, now you need the right people for the job.

You need to trust your IT Outsource Provider (ITOP) to assemble a team of the optimum quality and reputation, with the correct qualifications and certification to complete the job with warranties intact.
There are 5 elements to the correct engineer for any project:

• Relevant certification
• Correct work permit(s)
• Team culture
• Professionalism
• Pre-screened for technical ability

Your ITOP must be able to provide a team of engineers suitable for your project. This checklist is a sure-fire way to be confident in the team undertaking this work.

4 - Equipping the engineers

There’s an easy way to overcome this challenge: equip your engineers...!

Easy in this case, however, can mean expensive. Not just in terms of initial outlay, but in the wider reaches of the project as a whole. Relying on separate suppliers of personnel and hardware increasing the complexities involved in the deployment.
The best route is to use an ITOP with experience in resource management and equipment provision. This minimises liabilities, reduces potential communication delays, and diminishes your up-front costs.

Why are we sharing these tips with you?

Well, the solutions in this document have all been based on real-life situations and solutions that Gentium Tech International have introduced to solve the challenges associated with Wireless deployment.
We have resources and experience in over 160 countries worldwide, and have the experience, knowledge, and equipment to see your wireless project through.

If you are struggling with any of these challenges, then we would love to have a conversation to see if there’s any more advice we can share with you to help you.