Return to Work 2025: The Right Networking Solution for Your Business

It’s time for a network refresh. What’s next?

The Ecosystem

In the past, a “best-of-breed” approach was common when selecting products and solutions. This strategy involved mixing products from different companies to create a high-performing, but not always cohesive environment. It made sense when tech manufacturers had incomplete product lines or when a particular product significantly outshined its competition. In most cases, these products had little to no integration, even within the same vendor’s offerings and working with and managing the different products required entirely different skillsets.

Today, the landscape is changing. Performance at competitive price points is easier to find, and the integration and management of solutions have improved dramatically. For this reason, I often recommend staying within a single ecosystem by buying all networking products from a single company. Some of the more popular “ecosystem” providers are SonicWall, Ubiquiti, Meraki, and Aruba. For small or medium-sized businesses making new networking purchases, aligning with one of these providers can simplify management and enhance price-to-performance value.

Which Ecosystem is Right for my Company

When choosing an ecosystem, I suggest starting with the company’s preferred wireless provider. Wireless networks often dictate user experience and network performance. If a company is satisfied with its Meraki wireless network and is in the market for a new firewall, I would recommend a Meraki firewall. If a company is using Ubiquity access points, the same. Today, on-premises servers are rare and ALL network traffic is encrypted, so the requirements that a small/medium-sized company has from a are simpler, resembling the needs from firewalls decades ago.

An ecosystem manufacturer should offer a comprehensive suite of products including firewalls, Ethernet switches, and wireless networks. The network should be cloud-managed, providing a single-pane-of-glass interface for streamlined management. Features like automatic firmware updates and configuration backups further enhance the experience.

Factors to Consider

The best choice for your business will depend on several factors, often centered around wireless network requirements. In industries like hospitality, education, and public-access businesses, wireless security features are crucial. Features like captive portals and robust protection protocols are essential. Beyond security, considerations include:

Wi-Fi Standards: Does the ecosystem support emerging standards like Wifi 6E and Wifi 7? If it doesn’t then when will it?
Price: Consider cost of ownership and on-going maintenance, not just purchase price.
Outdoor Capabilities: Companies needing reliable outdoor coverage should stick with providers that offer suitable models to meet their needs.
Physical Appearance: For businesses that value aesthetics, the design of access points can matter. This is often why hospitals choose a different Wi-Fi solution than restaurants. Simply because of this appearance of the physical access point mounted on the ceiling.

I’ll be providing a deeper dive into emerging Wifi standards and security capabilities in a few weeks.

Planning for the Future

Even if a network refresh isn’t on your immediate radar or if you’re considering refreshing specific parts of your network, it is important to have a clear vision and plan. Full Network upgrades can take months, and the decisions you make now will affect your business for years. Aligning with the right ecosystem ensures you’re prepared for growth and technological shifts.

Not sure which ecosystem to choose? A Fractional CTO can provide expert guidance, ensuring you make informed decisions that align with your business goals.