Summary
London-based law firm requiring a robust and agile solution for wireless coverage.
The problem
Patchy Wi-Fi coverage in areas between the main office rooms – e.g. common spaces such as corridors and balconies where staff like to hold telephone conversations.
The complicated office layout resulted in coverage black spots (especially outside spaces - balcony) with no nearby network (ethernet) sockets.
Staff moving around the building reporting that they would lose connection or call drop-outs. Calls dropping could lead to embarrassment and disruption to their work.
Possible workarounds
Staff could be told to use their own 4G/5G connection (not ideal as staff don’t want to spend their own data allowance for work activities). Also different carriers signal would vary so this would not be a suitable business solution. The firm would also not have any control or visibility of devices and their connections in order to perform troubleshooting or provide support.
Staff could stay at their desk and not move around when on calls (staff don’t like this).
Staff could use a fixed desk IP phone (requires additional investment and can be seen as outdated).
The Solution
Qdos ensured the client was on a fast and stable Community Fibre connection.
Qdos implemented an enterprise-level security gateway (UniFi) and appropriate network layout with fast PoE switches with fibre uplinks.
Qdos used a combination of ethernet connected UniFi wireless access points and meshed access points in more tricky spots in order to provide coverage where it was previously lacking.
Qdos performed a final wireless survey on site and tweaked the power output of each wireless access point to optimise client device roaming. The UniFi access points are managed by Qdos on a central controller which allows performance monitoring, ability to provide instant support and the ability to update settings where required. The controller allows the access points to provide seamless client device roaming whereby they pass client devices to each other based on signal strength and location of the device.
The result
Strong and steady Wi-Fi throughout the entire office space allowing staff to use the company VoIP mobile app (3CX) reliably.
Users no longer experience call drop-outs when moving around the building. Calls are clear. Customer experience is improved and staff no longer experience frustration or disruption to their daily work.
