|
Wireless
Consulting Services:
Municipalities all over the
world are aggressively pursuing broadband wireless networks to
spur economic development, increase governmental efficiency and
improve public safety.
However, wireless networks
are a bit of a mystery to many and organizations need help
navigating the process.
What applications can be
supported?
What’s the appropriate
technology?
What’s the appropriate
business model?
What are the operational and
maintenance requirements?
What are the costs?
How do we develop an RFP?
 Reach
out for expertise to help you get started and evaluate your
options. Call Mike Miller @ (888) 752-1067 or email us @
consulting@racom.net
What applications can be
supported?
The design of your wireless network must support the
applications your user community will run. Basic applications
include word processing, spread sheets, internet and email with
attachments. More advanced applications may include customized
database applications, client-server records management, billing
or service applications, VoIP and streaming video.
What’s the appropriate
technology?
There are a variety of design architectures, and each category
has several manufactures from which to choose.
Perhaps you’ve heard the terms Wi-Fi,
Wi-Max, MESH,
900, Licensed or Un-licensed. We can help
you determine a design that will meet your coverage, performance
and budgetary requirements and help you evaluate the products
and manufacturers capable of meeting this design.
What’s the appropriate
business model?
Should this be a municipally-owned utility? Or should the be a
commercially developed service? Maybe the answer is somewhere
in between with a strategic partnership. In any case,
several options should be considered.
What are the operational and
maintenance requirements?
Many manufacturer
warranties are factory warranties. This means someone
is responsible for the trouble-shooting, de-installation,
shipping/handling, and re-installation. Who will
perform these services, and who will maintain the system
beyond the warranty? Alternatives should be evaluated
to help you understand the impact of taking these on
yourself, purchasing fixed-contract services from wireless
network experts, or only purchasing time and material when
required.
User support is a major
consideration when establishing new networks. Are you
equipped to handle trouble calls yourself? Will
trouble calls be limited to M-F, 8AM -5PM, or will you
require 24x7 coverage. On-site maintenance will create
different requirements than remote telephone support.
What are the costs?
When you buy equipment
you're committing your organization to future costs that may
not be readily apparent. Work with network owners and
operators that have insight into the actual expenses you'll
incur.
How do we develop an RFP?
An RFP will establish
your needs and provide a means of differentiating your
alternatives. In fact, it should also establish
criteria from which you'll make a decision.
This sounds simple, but
many RFP's fail to eliminate choices. That's wrong.
It's purpose it to make a decision. If not, you've
really only created an RFI (Request for Information).
And that can be a good tool too. But don't confuse
their uses.
Governmental agencies
need to establish criteria that justifies their decision to
purchase one solution over all the others.
Subjectivity can open Pandora's Box, and we'll help you
avoid just that.
Email
consulting@racom.net
|
