What's hot in wireless? We ask Aerohive reseller Beachhead Group

What wireless technology do you deploy?

We partner exclusively with Aerohive Networks. While we have partnerships with other enterprise networking vendors, Aerohive has proven themselves in production over the years. 

When did your company first get involved in wireless?

About four years ago, we saw a huge uptake in large-scale and greenfield wireless projects. This prompted our focus on the technology. We skirted the industry with a few other vendors until it really resonated when we partnered with Aerohive. 

What are your wireless credentials?

The usual suspects on the networking side. CWNP for wireless which is second to none. Our strongest credential is our experience. Experience not only with the technology but breadth of deployment exposure is something you can only get through years of experience.

Who are your main distributors for wireless?

Sektor are the longest-standing Aerohive distributor with whom we have a strong and good working relationship. DNA has recently been added to the fold and has ramped up very quickly. They have a very good technical team.

Have you heard about any cool wireless technology recently?

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and beacons, while not traditional Wi-Fi, is providing a spark to the industry. It is allowing for some very creative engagement and marketing platforms and when coupled with wi-fi can provide a very unique customer engagement experience in the retail space.

Can you tell us about a recent deployment?

A large private college in Sydney, 1,500 students, 2,000+ devices and 120+ access points. These deployments are always enjoyable as they are complex due to the high-density deployment requirements. The education space is the most challenging to design for due to density and performance requirements. 

What is driving customers’ wireless projects?

In education, it is the one-to-one initiative, BYOD, tablet programs. In healthcare, it is upgrading nurse call and telemetry systems, mobile medicine dispensing, voice over WLAN. In corporate, it is BYOD, legacy system upgrades, voice over WLAN. In retail, it is marketing and engagement platforms, BLE/beacons. And 802.11ac.

Wireless is…?

Ubiquitous. Wireless is now the primary access medium to a network. It has transformed from an auxiliary network to a business critical function and should be treated as such.