What Is A WiFi Cloud Controller?

If your company has hundreds of customers all across the city or country, your major concern is to have a robust WLAN structure that handles high traffic and supports connectivity at various areas, including residential and commercial areas, production sites, warehouses, and more.

Many companies may have multiple access points to have efficient networking; however, this isn’t the best choice. If the access points don’t coordinate properly, the network will become unstable. The companies can, therefore, have WLAN controllers that their IT admins can flexibly manage while balancing the load, monitoring the network, and troubleshooting issues.

Now, if you opt for a WiFi cloud controller, you will take the worry off your shoulders that come with on-premise wireless networks. A third-party services provider, such as ISPApp will use a Wi-Fi cloud controller to configure, monitor, and manage all the access points.

With a services provider who offers cloud-managed Wi-Fi services, your company can save costs on equipment procurement, Wi-Fi controllers, wireless network adapters, access points, and boosters. The controller is hosted in the cloud and does not require management in your data centre. Someone else is in charge of it and ensures that it is operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Because you do not own the controller, you are not responsible for firmware updates. Someone else will be in charge of keeping the firmware up to date. If you have multiple locations, all of them can have the identical setup and be rapidly pushed to them. All of this is done through a single interface.

This is because the WLAN is controlled and managed on your premises. It can be found inside a wireless controller or in an access point that doesn't have one. The Monitoring Only element, on the other hand, is pulled into the cloud, and software updates can be pushed through the cloud as well.

Moreover, you will also save on hiring IT staff who monitor and manage the Wi-Fi network. Furthermore, when you outsource the Wi-Fi services to a vendor, they will take responsibility for all troubleshooting, firmware and security updates, and support.

When you have a single interface, your company will have all access points configured the same way.

Differences Between A Cloud-Managed WiFi Network And A Cloud-Controlled Wi-Fi Network

Even though both of these terms, cloud-managed Wi-Fi, and cloud-controlled Wi-Fi may seem the same, there is a slight difference between the two.

A cloud-managed Wi-Fi network monitors a Wi-Fi network by a cloud-based service while all the equipment and access points will be on-site. In such an infrastructure, the network is monitored and managed both on the cloud and on-premise. The on-premise equipment will belong to the company, but the configuration and the monitoring and management of access points will be done by the vendor through a cloud-based location.

In a cloud-controlled Wi-Fi network, all equipment, controllers, interfaces, and Wi-Fi software belong to the vendor as discussed above.

In light of the above differences, a cloud-managed Wi-Fi network seems like the most ideal option for businesses. They can have control over their equipment while all monitoring, diagnostics, updates, and RF visualization will be handled by a vendor.

Why Do Businesses Need To Consider Wi-Fi Cloud Controllers?

The massive increase in the use of smart mobile devices, the increase in Bring-Your-Own-Device culture, and the dependency on the internet due to the pandemic have resulted in a whopping increase in the demand for connectivity. Smart Wi-Fi networks are needed to provide fast and safe connectivity to a large number of diverse smart devices.

Moreover, the dependency of businesses on social media and other E-commerce outlets requires businesses to offer more than just email access to employees. With this diversity in outlets and media, employees need more than one device to be connected to the internet, such as the use of both desktop and handheld devices during work.

With this change in employee behavior and business dynamics, WLAN now requires the management of thousands of users with several devices, and the delivery of fast and secure Internet connectivity to various businesses. This increase in Wi-Fi management and connectivity can overwhelm any company’s IT personnel. Outsourcing this task to a Cloud-Controlled Wi-Fi system can help decrease the daily burden of WLAN operations, allowing the IT personnel to concentrate on core business issues.

Whether your business consists of a small office or is spread across multiple locations, the need for connectivity is critical. Connectivity is essential for your business to prosper and remain competitive. A wireless ecosystem that is managed well allows employees to work with freedom and independence while being flexible in their work environment. This will, with time, result in better productivity and workplace satisfaction.

Benefits Of A Wi-Fi Cloud Controller Vendor For Your Business

It was difficult before for small businesses to manage their network requirements. However, with cloud-based wireless access points, businesses can now have state-of-the-art technology with minimum costs. Here are a few benefits that a Wi-Fi cloud controller offers small and medium-sized businesses.

Centralized Visibility

With a cloud-controlled Wi-Fi solution, you can view the entire Wi-Fi environment through one dashboard. Even if your Wi-Fi is spread across multiple locations and sites, you will have visibility of it easily. The dashboard can also be used for the administration of various policies, applications, bandwidth usage, user groups, and much more. Moreover, with data analytics and location tracking, you can get a much better understanding of your WiFi usage of visitors or temporary users with footfall and location heat maps.

The Virtual Controllers Are Adaptive

Many Wi-Fi cloud solutions have such virtual controllers that opt for the AP that has the longest booting time. After the first AP is configured, the next APS in the same network will get the selected AP's configuration as a virtual controller. As the AP reboots, the next AP with the next longest booting time will take the place of the virtual controller.

Easy Deployment Of Networks

With Wi-Fi cloud controllers, deployment of Wi-Fi networks and their management becomes easy as compared to controllers that are on-premises. Even if your IT department is small, it can easily add and manage new wireless access points and guest networks.

Easy Network Management

In a Wi-Fi cloud controller service, there is one point of management that is required for all the installation, management, configuration, and diagnosis. With a single interface, businesses can dramatically simplify their dynamic networking requirements.

Moreover, if there is an issue, it is easier for the business to have it solved with minimal support and help. Many issues can get solved with a central management dashboard. This not only provides businesses with greater control over their network but also cuts down network management costs.

Scalability When Required

When your network’s access points are managed through the cloud, it is very easy to increase your network. One great benefit among others in a cloud network is its scalability. If you’re an entrepreneur, you can increase your network as your business grows and prospers, and this too without any extra hardware. Moreover, most cloud-based access points are easily configured; this means that businesses can grow according to their needs.

Cost Efficiency

A cloud controller Wi-Fi works on on-demand and subscription-based models. This allows businesses to have control over their expenses and reduce their overall capital expenditure. With cloud-based services, businesses don't require investment in purchasing and deploying hardware on-premise.

Moreover, the business that opts for cloud-based solutions won’t need to spend on maintenance of hardware and software. Therefore, a small business or an entrepreneur can save money in the short and long run without having their network connectivity compromised.

Support For Retailers

Cloud-managed Wi-Fi services can also help retailers determine their store analytics by monitoring traffic. They can also create shopper heat maps and conduct smart shelving that lets them know how much time a shopper spent in an aisle and what items they returned or removed.

With the analytics combined, retailers can give personalized offers that cater to their target audience's preferences.

Robust Security

Cloud-based access points have a robust security structure to protect businesses against harm. Instead of getting a separate security framework, businesses can avail a cloud-managed system for the security of their network.

These cloud-based Wi-Fi networks are updated with the latest security frameworks automatically, which makes your business safer and more secure than the ones who are using on-ground systems.

Timely Backup And Alerts

When your business’s network has a cloud-based controller, all the network configuration is stored on the cloud as well. Therefore, all the alerts and network monitoring are managed through the cloud. This completely eliminates the need for spending money, energy, and time in building Network Management Protocol Monitoring Services. In case of some downtime, your business will be notified on time.

Analytics And Reports

With cloud-based services, your business can easily monitor the network, get updates, and view analytics regarding network usage. You can get insightful reports and make informed decisions using them. With these analytics and insights, your company can make the most out of its internet connectivity.

Lower Your IT Costs

With a cloud-controlled Wi-Fi service, you can substantially lower your IT costs. You can get monthly operations to cost instead of capital expenditures for all changes, system failures, and additional routers. Your business will have fewer equipment failures, good security, and consistent maintenance as well.

Router Configuration Management

With cloud-managed Wi-Fi, you can easily make configuration changes with Router Configuration Management.

Router configuration, when done in-house, can result in human error. Human error causes network downtime. With cloud-managed WiFi, you can prevent network downtime by restricting access to your devices and making unauthorized modifications. You can also view and review the changes before deployment to have better control over router configuration.

Router configuration management in cloud-controlled WiFi can also save you a lot of time in doing a repetitive task. By automating and optimizing your router configuration, you can spend more time doing core business tasks.

More Productivity

With cloud-controlled Wi-Fi systems, you will essentially streamline your operations and employee workflow. Your business will also be able to relieve your IT resources with reduced need of on-premise wireless support. Moreover, you will also be able to solve technical issues before they affect your operations.

Great For Hospitality Management

The hospitality industry can also benefit from a cloud-controlled Wi-Fi system. Hotels and other hospitality industries can support various applications for security, locking systems, HVAC systems, smart lighting, power, and water systems. Moreover, the system can also enhance the guest experience with smart check-ins, swift Wi-Fi connections, room services, and much more.

Help In Nursing Homes

Software-defined networking can also help nursing and retirement homes. The residents can wear Wi-Fi-enabled devices that can alert the staff in case of any health emergency. With location tracking, health data transmission, and call assistance, a cloud-managed Wi-Fi system can help save the lives of many nursing home residents.

A Final Word

In this article, we discussed what Wi-Fi cloud controllers are, what the differences are between cloud-controlled Wi-Fi and cloud-managed Wi-Fi, why businesses need cloud-managed Wi-Fi systems and the benefits of having a cloud-managed Wi-Fi for your business.

Whether your company is based in a single location or has many sites, the requirement for connectivity is crucial. For your business to thrive and remain competitive, it needs to be connected. Employees can work with freedom and independence while being adaptable in their work environment thanks to a well-managed wifi ecosystem. With time, this will lead to increased productivity and workplace satisfaction.

Outsourcing your networking and connectivity requirements allows you to focus more on your core business values. You can significantly reduce your IT charges, as well as the time and resources required for IT maintenance. With streamlined networking and connectivity capabilities, you can increase your overall productivity and revenue.