Intelligent CIO Africa Issue 60 | Page 32

TALKING

‘‘ business

Organisations have already witnessed the compelling results of all this connectivity , such as greater efficiencies and a more refined implementation of data .
campuses , represent a far greater challenge . At the epicentre of the issue is student accommodation , with devices demanding more bandwidth per square meter than in almost any other sector . With institutions placing increased emphasis on virtual learning , and as classrooms and learning experiences are enveloped within the digital sphere , Wi-Fi 6E can empower a deeper and more inclusive learning experience .
Six steps to prepare for 6E
As the world prepares for Wi-Fi 6E , business leaders must look to how this additional networking capacity can support their own digital transformation journey . Here are six key strategies to get the most out of Wi-Fi 6E and help future proof Wi-Fi investments . Security first . The rapid transition to the cloud has left gaps in cybersecurity that continue to be exploited by cybercriminals . According to Bloomberg , cybercrime is now as big of a concern as infectious disease . Through adopting Wi-Fi 6E , organisations are mandated to utilise WPA3 , the strongest available security for Wi-Fi .
Maximise tri-band coverage . When adopting Wi-Fi 6E it is important to remember that the existing frequency bands will still be required and remain congested for the foreseeable future . To gain most benefit , it ’ s vital that organisations spread their operations across the breadth of 2.4GHz , 5GHz , and 6GHz bands to maximise connectivity .
Leverage advanced analytics and AIOps to improve user experience . As connectivity increases , so to do issues surrounding admin and troubleshooting . By using Artificial Intelligence ( AI ) and Machine Learning ( ML ), AIOps augments traditional network monitoring by automatically identifying network , security , and performance issues . This enables organisations to be proactive in solving issues before they have a chance to impact business operations and end user experience .
Self-assessment is key . Organisations must evaluate how Wi-Fi 6E can be deployed , how many client devices will benefit , how it will exist within their current spectrum of operations , and whether upgrades are needed . An area of interest for any organisation is the Access Point to switch uplink speed . Wi-Fi 6E will deliver true multi-gigabit throughput so multi-gigabit uplink technologies such as the IEEE 802.3bz standard should be considered as part of any upgrade .
Check on certification and standards . When choosing a technology vendor to implement Wi-Fi 6E , it is vital to ensure they not only have a track record of proven innovation but also a commitment to the highest industry standards . The Wi-Fi Alliance has developed a set of standards that places quality and reliability of new wireless technologies at the forefront of its adjudication Plan to Pilot . The pilot phase is imperative when rolling out new infrastructure . It ’ s a key opportunity to test , identify issues and be better prepared for broader rollouts . A well-executed pilot can deliver results and reduce the chance of negative impacts down the line .
A look to the future
Ultimately , when congestion on Wi-Fi networks increases , the user experience suffers . And even as normality slowly returns across the world , it ’ s uncertain what form it will take . What is certain though , is that the digital transformation that has been rolled-out is here to stay – and we will continue to rely heavily on the connections we ’ ve made over the course of the pandemic whether at home , school , the office , or public spaces .
Organisations have already witnessed the compelling results of all this connectivity , such as greater efficiencies and a more refined implementation of data . Looking ahead , Wi-Fi 6E offers even more opportunities for them to transform their businesses and deliver compelling end user experiences . The choice is obvious . p
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