BENEFITS OF WLANs

In this section some of the benefits of WLANs like mobility and speed of
deployment are discussed [1, 2].
1.2.1 Mobility
The possibility to access real time information while dealing with customers is
enhanced with a WLAN. In hospitals, for example, healthcare providers can
improve the quality of patient care. With a WLAN, bedside inputting of data and
immediate decision-making can reduce cycle times for patient care. Likewise, the
reduction of errors by handling the data only once is significant. In an office situation, the ability to roam around the building while processing information is
an advantage. Similarly, point-of-sale employees can circulate freely while serving
customers. Insurance agents can input data directly in the customer’s premises and
receive realtime on-line analytical processing. If there is a business advantage in
going to the customer rather than forcing the customer to come to you, the case for
wireless can be compelling. Finally, WLANs permit mobile applications to be
launched. Consider the WLAN-enabled student who can take his or her WLANconnected
laptop from lecture to lecture and remain connected at all times to his or
her files and applications.
1.2.2 Short-Term Usage
Similar to the issue of mobility, short-term connectivity allows users to deploy
capabilities on an as needed basis without concern for the cost justification for
wired solutions. Financial auditors, for example, can just connect for the time
necessary to conduct the audit. This allows significant operational flexibility and
facilitates the formation and support of adhoc working groups. Being able to
connect to the network for a short period of time in this manner can provide a
competitive advantage.
1.2.3 Speed of Deployment
WLANs permit quick connectivity to the network. Forming and disbanding work
groups can be done easily with WLANs. The complexity and long cycle time of
moving new nodes into and out of wired LANs introduces massive ongoing
operational costs compared with the flexibility of wireless attachment, where the
operational costs are almost zero.
1.2.4 Difficult Wiring Environment
Many situations do not permit the easy installation of wires. Historic buildings or
older buildings make the installation of LANs either impossible or very expensive.
Trying to establish LANs in the outdoors is virtually impossible with legacy LANs.
Consider situations in parks or athletic arenas where one wants a temporary
WLAN established and removed. There are other situations where it is vital to be
WLAN-enabled. Disaster recovery, for example, can make immediate and
effective use of WLANs in the field to gather data and coordinate relief efforts.
The use of WLANs in the battlefield is obvious. Finally, there are situations where
wires cannot be laid, for example, across busy streets. Likewise, building-tobuilding
connections can be facilitated where no existing underground cabling is
present. Using wireless bridges to connect physically separated LANs or Internet
connections can be very effective. 1.2.5 Scalability
Wireless LAN systems can be configured in a variety of topologies to meet the
needs of specific applications and installations. Configurations are easily changed
and range from independent networks suitable for a small number of users to full
infrastructure networks of thousands of users that allow roaming over a broad area.
Such opportunities are not possible with wired networks.