6 Ways to Enhance Warehouse WiFi Coverage

What’s Warehouse WiFi?

Warehouse WiFi is a wireless Ethernet technology used in warehouses, production centers to support persistent connections, for picking scanners and work equipment connected to the network. With the advent of supply chains, fast and reliable wireless connectivity is more important than ever to support the demands of the modern warehouse, and warehouse WiFi plays an integral role in today's warehousing and logistics.

Why Do You Need WiFi in the Warehouse?

Error-free management: the installation of systems and tools running on warehouse WiFi can quickly identify cost overruns and errors in logistics and manufacturing processes, reducing delayed, missed or inaccurate orders. Warehouse WiFi networks ensure fast and reliable transmission of data that is constantly being processed by systems connected to the network. This helps business teams process more orders per day and reduces error rates to almost zero compared to manual processes.

Increased productivity: workers in the warehouse can access information and applications faster, and keep track of the location of assets and inventory in the warehouse.

Improved communications: with WiFi employees can stay in touch with each other and with management without using two-way radios, which helps reduce confusion and improve coordination.

Enhanced safety: workers are alerted to potential hazards more quickly. Additionally, WiFi can be used to track the location of workers in emergency situations.

How to Enhance Warehouse WiFi Coverage?

Change channels

Wireless access points broadcast WiFi signals on specific channels. If your access point or router shares a channel with multiple WiFi devices, you may encounter signal issues. Use a less crowded channel to expand your WiFi signal range.

Add hardware

Range extenders and external antennas can increase your wireless network's coverage area. Additionally, you can install a repeater to send signals to the farthest corners of the warehouse.

Adjust shelves and other obstacles

Mirrors, walls, machinery and metal racks can prevent network signals from reaching certain parts of the warehouse. Clear the area around routers and access points to ease signal flow.

Design for optimal placement

When designing a WiFi network, the location of the access point or router needs to be considered. The layout and materials of the warehouse interior are also key factors to consider when determining the correct location for access points. Draw a layout of your warehouse and mark the optimal location for the access point or router. You may want to install access points in the center of the area where wireless signals can flow in all directions.

Updating Firmware

Maintaining the firmware for access points is a crucial part of network integrity. However, many warehouse networks do not update their firmware regularly. Firmware updates not only help boost the performance of your network, they also help protect it from security threats. Warehouse network administrators can (and should) sign up for alerts from the access point manufacturer for firmware updates.

Consider density

When installing an wireless AP, you must consider the size of your warehouse and the number of people working in it. In large warehouses, you must increase the number of APs to enjoy stable enterprise WiFi coverage.

Q&A about Warehouse WiFi

Q1: What's the Difference Between Standard WiFi and Warehouse WiFi?

A: Home and warehouse WiFi networks share the same technology and operation but there are many differences between the two. In terms of data volume, WiFi used in homes, public places, and offices is a default connection that can handle a lot of data between a handful of devices, a Warehouse WiFi is configured to send small packets of data constantly at high speed. In terms of reliability, in a warehouse WiFi network, attributes such as reliability and accuracy are critical to ensure the coordination and smooth operation of the facility.

Q2: What are the common warehouse WiFi problems?

A: Too many or too few access points; Incorrect placement or aiming of antennas and access points; Incorrect channel assignments; Outdated firmware on clients and access points; Not performing a wireless site survey, etc.

Q3: How to choose the antenna type in warehouse WiFi?

A: A mix of directional and omni-directional APs are needed, one size does not fit all in a warehouse. Directional antennas are designed to radiate signals into a specific area or direction; omnidirectional antennas are designed to radiate signals 360 degrees. Many locations require a combination of antenna types due to rack location, ceiling height, ability to run cabling and out buildings. It is important to select the correct antenna type required based on warehouse layout and wireless network configuration.

Q4: Does the outdoor area need WiFi coverage?

A: If you need to provide WiFi access beyond the warehouse walls, you may need to invest in additional access points. Outdoor seating areas, docks or shipping yards, and other outdoor environments have their own WiFi challenges, not the least of which are heat, humidity, and pollutants. These special situations and requirements need to be considered in advance when planning a warehouse WiFi solution.

Q5: What's the cheaper way to provide warehouse WiFi?

A: Wireless warehouse networks allow companies to add access points without having to tear down walls or floors to run cables for specific user devices. This means lower costs to install and maintain the network. It provides employees with better connectivity while saving management money — it’s a win-win for everyone.

Why Choose FS Warehouse WiFi Solution?

Warehouses are challenging environments. Designing and implementing high-performance warehouse WiFi is an important but complex project, so it's important to choose a wireless expert with industry experience. The FS warehouse WiFi solution is suitable for different warehouse environments such as ordinary warehouses, cold storage/fresh warehouses, and smart warehouses. It is hoped that the work efficiency of employees can be improved through a strong wireless network. FS's experienced expert team will provide customized wireless solutions for your specific business needs with a complete WiFi design, configuration and support service.

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