Over the last decade, the networking and wireless communities expected each
year to become the year of the WLAN. WLAN technology had some false starts in
the 1990s, for a variety of reasons. Immature technology, security concerns,
and slow connectivity speeds kept WLAN technology from becoming a viable
alternative to wired LANs. Each passing year provided the needed groundwork for
the eventual acceptance of wireless technology.
Early WLAN applications
focused on the needs of mobile knowledge workers who required access to
real-time information. Innovative wireless solutions helped solve the following
market-specific problems:
- Manufacturing – Wireless technology is used to access manufacturer
recommended price (MRP) and inventory management systems from the shop floor.
- Healthcare – Wireless technology gives doctors and nurses access to
real-time patient care information at the bedside.
- Retail – Wireless technology enables sales people to make inventory checks
without leaving the storefront.
- Education – Wireless technology enables students and teachers to be
connected to learning resources in campus environments
Thanks to the interoperability of standards and improved throughput
speeds, WLAN solutions are now being widely deployed.
Several recent
technological and strategic developments have helped wireless technologies
develop more quickly:
- The 802.11 standards have encouraged market acceptance and adoption.
- Current wireless performance is not noticeably different from a wired
connection for the average user.
- Increased security using 128-bit encryption has reduced fears of inadequate
privacy and control.
- Longer-range APs have made solutions more feasible.
For the first time WLAN technology is being seriously considered as a
way to complete an existing network or to create a new network. Market
acceptance encourages new applications of WLAN technology across an enterprise.
As users begin to enjoy the benefits of being connected anywhere, anytime, the
growth and acceptance of wireless enterprise solutions is likely to continue.