Cheap Wireless Networking Tips for Home Based Businesses

There are a number of ways that you can save money through setting up a wireless network for your home business. Before you take on a service, however, you’ll need to evaluate your business to determine your needs. Once you know your requirements, you will have all the ammunition you need to find a service that works for your business. To help you determine how to get the best out of your wireless service, here are 10 money-saving tips for home-based businesses.

• Evaluate Your Expected Usage – It’s a good idea to anticipate how many devices you will have connected to your network before committing to a service. You can test the potential strain by connecting multiple devices to your home network, and then push them to their limits. Simultaneous downloading and heavy usage will give you an idea of the download/upload speeds you will need for your business network.
• Opt for Mobile Devices – If you are planning on purchasing all the computer equipment for your business, consider using cost-saving devices for basic processes. For instance, a number of small notebooks may serve your purposes and cost a lot less than a host of high-performing PCs. You can add any device to your network that has wireless network capabilities.
• Take Advantage of Tech Support – When choosing a service, make sure to ask about the level of support offered and any additional costs. Most wireless connectivity problems can be resolved in-house, with limited knowledge of wireless network technology. Make sure you are not paying extra for support that you may not even need. If in doubt, ask family, friends and business colleagues for advice before negotiating a repair service.
• Choose the Right Software – One of the benefits of a wireless service is remote access to a router or network on multiple devices. You can allow file sharing, secure access and much more without purchasing additional software. If a sales representative cannot guide you through setting up access for your employers, look for a supplier who can.
• Save Money on Phones – Voice Over IP (VOIP) services are a great way to save money on a wireless network. Calls are extremely cheap, and you can connect multiple smart phones to your wireless network to make calls while in the office. You can also set-up VOIP on other devices, like PCs, laptops and tablets on the network, allowing you to make calls from any workstation using headsets.
• Carefully Consider Peripherals – Purchasing wireless peripherals, such as printers, scanners and handheld devices, will greatly reduce the amount of bandwidth you use. You can save money on your service by only using devices when needed and disconnecting them from the network when not in use. As a general rule, take any device that is not in use offline to get the best from your wireless network while saving money and bandwidth.
• Get Security Smart – Rather than paying for expensive security software, consult with your service provider on how to set up security from your network. Wireless networks have a number of facilities to allow for multiple security levels and access, so you can tailor each individual’s privileges to your exact needs. For future reference, take notes or ask a service consultant to send you detailed steps on how to set up security protocols on the network.
• Consider Data Storage – Some service providers will have provisions for data storage on your wireless network, so remember to ask during consultation. Alternatively, you can explore the option of having a wireless server set-up that is dedicated to data storage at relatively low cost. Before making a decision, look at your business plan and determine how much data you will need to store and for how long. Doing so will allow any potential service providers to calculate how much storage you will actually need, rather than giving you an arbitrary figure that could cost you more money than necessary.
• Download Management – Using a wireless network means more flexibility, so make sure to take advantage of that perk. You will save money simply by managing all of the devices on the network. Only connect devices when they are in use, and keep a record of the amount of data that you download and upload. Some service providers will place limits, known as fair usage, on the amount of data that passes through your network. Breaching these limits often means incurring a steep penalty, so confirm with potential suppliers before committing to a service plan.
• Save on Labor – Think about your business and how a wireless network can save you on labor costs. Your service provider is a good source of information, so ask them before hiring any sort of IT support. For every process that applies to your business, take the time to create working flowcharts. The ability to troubleshoot most issues that you face will save you from needing to hire a professional every time you experience problems with your network.

Resources:
http://compnetworking.about.com/od/wifihomenetworking/tp/improvehomewifi...
http://www.pcworld.com/article/196049/the_ultimate_guide_to_home_network...