Municipalities and counties have come to realize the value of wireless networks for, among other benefits, communicating with field workers and providing a better level of constituent services. While the discussion of these networks has evolved away from "free" to the understanding that implementing these networks must be funded by the local jurisdiction, there are a number of operational costs and requirements that are initially overlooked as part of the need analysis and justifications. Some of these overlooked items are:
Maintenance: Most wireless networks pose a major problem for municipalities in that they require continuous maintenance. Access points are mounted on light posts or traffic signals which are susceptible to the elements, wildlife, and the occasional stray vehicle that veers off the road and takes out one of these mounting devices. In Tucson we have even found that our devices and aerial fiber cable have been used as targets for those who cannot make it to the local shooting ranges. While some will have the staff and equipment to replace and fix this equipment, others will have to outsource this function.
Staff Training: Most staff are not experienced in managing and supporting wireless networking equipment. Using Tucson as an example our network engineers are trained and experienced supporting switches and routers. In our case we not only would need to spend a considerable amount of money to train staff, but we need to hire 2 new staff members who (once trained) would be dedicated to supporting and managing the wireless network. Again the alternative to building this in house capability is to contract for these services.
Administration and Monitoring: Along with the addition of and training of staff, there are costs associated with the tools necessary to appropriately monitor and administer the network.
Technology refreshes and upgrades: As with all technology wireless components have a fairly short life cycle and their upgrade and/or replacement must be planned for and funded. You can bet that the wireless network will become as critical as your wired network and the demand from applications for bandwidth and functionality, not to mention the demands from the first responder needs, will not allow anyone to consider a life cycle of more that 3 or 4 years.
Addition of new applications: Adding new applications to the network or expanding its reach can result in significant costs if not planned for initially. Depending on the network design and concentration of access points new applications might require additional access points, this will require additional backhaul, and gateway locations. While a laptop might indicate that you can "see" the wireless network the wireless radios built into most laptops might not send a strong enough signal to be received by the access points without some sort of signal amplification. Networks that were built with one application in mind will invariably require re-architecting and more equipment as other applications are introduced.
As with all technology projects the ongoing operational and maintenance costs should be analyzed upfront and budgeted for, While wireless technology can be very effective in extending the reach of a network and access to applications and information where and when needed, without the proper care and feeding wireless networks can also quickly become a white elephant.
Maintenance: Most wireless networks pose a major problem for municipalities in that they require continuous maintenance. Access points are mounted on light posts or traffic signals which are susceptible to the elements, wildlife, and the occasional stray vehicle that veers off the road and takes out one of these mounting devices. In Tucson we have even found that our devices and aerial fiber cable have been used as targets for those who cannot make it to the local shooting ranges. While some will have the staff and equipment to replace and fix this equipment, others will have to outsource this function.
Staff Training: Most staff are not experienced in managing and supporting wireless networking equipment. Using Tucson as an example our network engineers are trained and experienced supporting switches and routers. In our case we not only would need to spend a considerable amount of money to train staff, but we need to hire 2 new staff members who (once trained) would be dedicated to supporting and managing the wireless network. Again the alternative to building this in house capability is to contract for these services.
Administration and Monitoring: Along with the addition of and training of staff, there are costs associated with the tools necessary to appropriately monitor and administer the network.
Technology refreshes and upgrades: As with all technology wireless components have a fairly short life cycle and their upgrade and/or replacement must be planned for and funded. You can bet that the wireless network will become as critical as your wired network and the demand from applications for bandwidth and functionality, not to mention the demands from the first responder needs, will not allow anyone to consider a life cycle of more that 3 or 4 years.
Addition of new applications: Adding new applications to the network or expanding its reach can result in significant costs if not planned for initially. Depending on the network design and concentration of access points new applications might require additional access points, this will require additional backhaul, and gateway locations. While a laptop might indicate that you can "see" the wireless network the wireless radios built into most laptops might not send a strong enough signal to be received by the access points without some sort of signal amplification. Networks that were built with one application in mind will invariably require re-architecting and more equipment as other applications are introduced.
As with all technology projects the ongoing operational and maintenance costs should be analyzed upfront and budgeted for, While wireless technology can be very effective in extending the reach of a network and access to applications and information where and when needed, without the proper care and feeding wireless networks can also quickly become a white elephant.
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