For smaller businesses without a dedicated IT department, the range of WiFi options available can be daunting. Many feel trapped with using an ISP-provided router as a main WiFi source. Many more hop on to eBay or Amazon and end up with budget, consumer-orientated boosters, extenders or repeaters. More often than not, these prove totally inadequate for today’s small business demands. If you’re in this unfortunate boat, installing Ubiquiti WiFi hardware could be the answer.
Why Ubiquiti?
Ubiquiti’s UniFi range is a massive step up from consumer equipment in terms of functionality and performance. But equally importantly, it doesn’t come with a big business price tag. Admittedly, when compared to purely consumer-orientated devices it’s not the cheapest. However, for businesses it’s a fraction of the cost of established IT networking brands like Cisco.
And it’s not just for offices and corporate environments. The West of England is a magnet for tourists, entrepreneurs, students and professionals. All of whom are making increasing demands of wireless connectivity. As a result, a broad range of Bristol and Bath small businesses have much to gain by installing UniFi devices. Both in terms of value and performance, for employees and customers alike.
Here are 7 main reasons we recommend Ubiquiti UniFi wireless networking equipment for small and home-based businesses.
7 reasons to choose Ubiquiti WiFi
1. The best performance for your money
Ubiquiti’s disruptive pricing strategy has been well-known for some time in the wireless networking world. Since its inception in 2005 it has built a reputation for innovation and quality at a fraction of the cost of it’s better-known counterparts.
Third party testing supports this. The results highlight just how far ahead Ubiquiti is in terms of cost of performance versus its main WiFi rivals.
2. No expensive support contracts or ongoing license fees
Ubiquiti provide controller software free of charge with no ongoing license costs to pay. As a result, most smaller businesses can manage their WiFi network themselves. That also means no need for a potentially expensive support contract.
3. Advanced functionality
The Ubiquiti WiFi controller software provides all the functionality a small business might need. Even better, this is all wrapped up in an easy to use interface.
Need a separate guest or customer network? No problem. Want to restrict certain users’ bandwidth? Easily done.
Which neatly leads on to the next point…
4. User-friendly interface via Ubiquiti Cloud Key WiFi controller
You can manage your WiFi via Ubiquiti’s free controller software installed on a device connected to your network. But with the addition of a small piece of hardware – a Cloud Key – you can do so much more.
The Cloud Key is a small, relatively inexpensive, but very clever bit of kit that plugs into your network. It allows you to access your network controller via an app which can be installed on any device. The great thing there is that you can check up on your WiFi network from anywhere. You don’t need to be physically connected to your network. All you need is an internet connection to log in and away you go.
5. Discrete, contemporary design
Looks aren’t everything, of course. But over the past twenty years, brands like Apple have moved the goalposts when it comes to hardware design. The days of beige plastic boxes are long gone (along with brown polyester slacks).
Line up any UniFi wireless access point against the alternatives and it stands out – in a good way. It’s not a case of form over function, but rather form working in harmony with function. Ubiquiti understand that its customers want something that not only performs well, but also looks good too.
6. Choice of access points
The UniFi range provides a wide choice of WiFi access points to cater for virtually all needs and budgets. Generally, the higher the throughput speed and number of simultaneous users supported, the higher the price. But even basic models provide huge performance improvements over consumer equipment. And they look little or no different from their more costly counterparts. There’s no trade-off to be made between looks and cost.
There are access points for external use as well as internal use. You can have wall-mounted discs or the super-discreet rectangular in-wall units. (The in-walls are a current customer favourite. Not just because of the looks, but also the added benefit of their integrated ethernet ports. This gives the option of hard-wiring devices, providing a complete networking solution.)
Some types of access point can be configured in a wireless mesh network in addition to the standard hard-wired setup. And what’s more, you can have a mixture of access points to suit different needs in different areas, and they will still form one single, seamless network.
7. Flexible & expandable WiFi networking
The chances are your business needs will change over time, as it grows and evolves. As well as having a flexible network to meet current requirements, most businesses will need to expand on it over time.
You can add UniFi access points into your network virtually ad infinitum. As a result, if your user numbers increase or you expand your premises for example, your WiFi network can easily be extended to accommodate.
Your local Ubiquiti WiFi installer in Bristol & Bath
If you’re thinking about installing a Ubiquiti UniFi wireless network in your Bath or Bristol small business, we can help.
Contact us today for friendly, local advice and a free quote.
