Upload
others
View
0
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Prepared for Hewlett-Packard Corp. by Info-Tech Research Group, Indaba Division
Info-Tech Research Group, Indaba Division
WLAN Market Trends and Drivers The Expansion of the Untethered Universe
Page 2 of 12
Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. Page 3
WLAN Market Dynamics ...................................................................................................................... Page 4
HP’s Market Position .............................................................................................................................. Page 5
HP’s WLAN Strategy and Product Lineup ...................................................................................... Page 7
HP Customer Scenario ........................................................................................................................... Page 10
The Situation .......................................................................................................................................... Page 10
The Value Proposition ........................................................................................................................ Page 10
Conclusion .................................................................................................................................................. Page 11
Page 3 of 12
The requirement for smartphones,
tablets, laptops, and media-
intensive applications in business
environments is putting greater,
and different, demands on the
enterprise WLAN.
Introduction
The Wireless LAN (WLAN) market is maturing, but still generates some significant innovations to compete with
wireline and cellular networking. It also continues to produce
differentiation, even though core features have become
commoditized, and consolidation among vendors continues.
WLAN speeds, as an example, are making exponential gains,
projected to reach multi gigabit-per-second rates as early as
2013. The all-wireless enterprise, once a theory, is now visible on
the horizon, coming ever closer as the positive perceptions of
WLAN reliability and security increase with each deployment.
New demands on businesses for WLAN capabilities are also evolving, particularly as mobile devices become
more prevalent and diverse. A key driver in this trend is business users demanding the usability and
functionality experienced with consumer devices. This means requirement for smartphones, tablets, laptops,
and media-intensive applications in business environments are putting greater, and different, demands on the
enterprise WLAN.
Technology, too, is supporting WLAN growth – laptops and tablets all support Wi-Fi. In addition, as hotspots,
hotel access, and other forms of public wireless access become more widely available, businesses and their
employees will increasingly take advantage of them and have similar expectations at the office. What this
leads to is WLAN-savvy organizations that are better prepared to support mobile workers, with the agility to
more easily support new wireless technologies as they are developed. This is particularly relevant as
businesses start demanding uninterrupted, high-speed delivery of multimedia applications, and all manner of
cloud-based functionality, via wireless networks.
At the same time, improved industry standards and vendor innovations have made WLANs significantly faster,
more reliable, and more secure. The current 802.11n standard provides a tenfold increase in data throughput
from the previous 802.11g version, from 54 Mbps to near GbE. This helps bridge the performance gap
separating wired and wireless environments. Indeed, businesses should consider 802.11n instead of cable
drops for workstations, as this standard – if deployed effectively – could create a truly wireless office with all
its advantages, while still meeting bandwidth expectations.
In addition, there are emerging standards and protocols that also must be considered, especially those around
the wireless office, which is the main trend in the access network of the future. Info-Tech Indaba has identified
six trends in this category based on anticipated adoption over the next three years (see Figure 1). As
networking and standards/protocols continue to evolve, future-proofing becomes important in being able to
take advantage of faster connectivity, and the enablement of private and public clouds, and network
virtualization.
Page 4 of 12
Figure 1: Six Hot Networking Trends
Source: Info-Tech Indaba
As wireless expectations and demands continue to rise, and as WLANs continue to meet those demands,
wired networks will increasingly become the difficult-to-justify cost that WLANs were a few years ago. The
question is not if, but when, to make the switch to prioritizing wireless implementations.
WLAN Market Dynamics
WLANs are typically used to augment wired network infrastructure rather than replacing it outright. An
overwhelming majority of users still connect their primary workstations to physical cables, which is related
mainly to concerns about bandwidth. However, adding wireless to an existing LAN, or upgrading old wireless
to 802.11n, can provide businesses with a variety of tangible and intangible benefits.
In an Info-Tech Indaba survey of businesses that have implemented WLANs, approximately 27% improved
their bottom line by reducing costs, or increasing revenues in locations where wireless could be used as a cost-
effective replacement for wired networks, or where handheld devices could be used to track assets and record
inventory. These, however, were not the top benefits of the WLAN implementation; rather, it was the
intangibles. Approximately 88% of businesses experienced an increase in employee productivity, i.e. the ability
for them to work anywhere, as well as enabling increased co-worker collaboration. Other benefits included
decreased turnaround time for processing customers, reporting, and inventory/asset tracking, and customer
satisfaction.
Page 5 of 12
Figure 2: WLAN Benefits
Source: Info-Tech Indaba
If WLAN deployment is driven by employee demand, it’s also impacted by the need to provide network access
to other constituents. More than 40% of surveyed businesses use WLANs to directly benefit the experience of
customers, patients, or students. This includes providing them with an internet connection while on premise,
and improving customer interactions through the use of a mobile network connection.
At an industry level, organizations are using WLAN technology to support mission-critical, day-to-day
operations, especially those with highly mobile workers, including healthcare, education, manufacturing,
logistics, and retail. Company size also has implications to WLAN benefits in that as size increases, so does the
value of WLAN in its ability to support a broader range of processes and applications.
HP’s Market Position
Info-Tech Research Group’s Vendor Landscape on the WLAN market has positioned HP in the “Champions”
category. Champions score well across most evaluation criteria, which are focused on the product/solution
(i.e. features, affordability, usability, and architecture), and the vendor itself (i.e. viability, strategy, reach, and
channel). HP’s ranking was the result of high scoring for affordability, architecture, viability, reach, and
channel.
On a relative basis, HP maintained the highest Info-Tech Value Score of the WLAN vendor group. The value
score is not based on pure TCO, but on “features per dollar.” Info-Tech compares the three year TCO against
the features, and provides a ranking relative to the vendors in the Vendor Landscape. HP, in this case,
represented the index value (i.e. HP provided the most features for the price). Vendors were then indexed
against HP’s performance to provide a complete, relative view of their product offerings. The Value Score does
Page 6 of 12
not indicate vendor ranking. Rather, vendors that score high offer more bang-for-the-buck than the average
vendor, while the inverse is true for those that score lower.
Figure 3: Info-Tech’s WLAN Value Score Index
Source: Info-Tech Indaba
Info-Tech believes that HP has leveraged its global resources to offer a sophisticated array of integrated wired
and wireless networking solutions, which have been enhanced through the Colubris and 3Com acquisitions,
adding to HP’s existing Networking (formerly ProCurve) lineup. The solutions cater to mid-to-large enterprises
and include a comprehensive line up that offers a high level of security and support.
HP’s strengths include its full integration of wired and wireless networks, as well as its deep pockets, and
strong global presence through its sales and support channels. A key differentiator for HP is its single-pane-of-
glass management capabilities via the FlexNetwork Architecture. HP also has extremely competitive pricing,
lifetime warranties, and although security features are becoming standard fare, vendors such as HP are setting
themselves apart in this area.
However, HP also has its challenges in the WLAN market, including having multiple product lines. In addition,
HP is a large corporation with WLAN being only one relatively small business on its strategic radar.
Page 7 of 12
Figure 4: HP’s WLAN BIO
Source: Info-Tech Indaba
HP’s WLAN Strategy and Product Lineup HP’s WLAN strategy has been developed to address what it views as the key barriers to end-customer
adoption, identified by the vendor as encompassing the following areas:
1. Inconsistent user experiences (e.g. increasing the number of wireless users, devices, and higher-bandwidth applications can degrade the overall user experience).
2. Use of multiple tools to manage wired and wireless networks. 3. Different access control solutions. 4. Security. 5. Constrained IT budgets and headcount.
HP’s stated approach in addressing these key barriers is to deliver on a converged wired/wireless
infrastructure that includes single-pane-of-glass management, unified wired/wireless access control,
continuous RF vulnerability protection, competitive total cost of ownership, and high access speeds. The
central theme in HP’s overall networking strategy is one network, one tool, and one view.
HP provides a broad line of wired and wireless networking solutions for the small, medium, and large business
markets that spans the length of the network, from the edge to the core. It also provides options for scale,
from single-office requirements to the extended coverage of multiple branches. Tying this together is HP’s
standards-based approach to its features and protocols, and a single management console/tool in its
Intelligent Management Center (IMC) that also encompasses non-HP devices. In addition, The HP FlexNetwork
Architecture (see Figure 2) is a key driver in HP’s networking strategy, allowing customers to converge network
Page 8 of 12
silos using three “building blocks” (FlexFabric, FlexCampus, and FlexBranch) that share a common
management layer (FlexManagement).
Figure 5: HP’s FlexNetwork Architecture
Source: HP HP’s WLAN-specific product strategy is focused on accessing wire-line performance via Wi-Fi certified GbE
WLAN client access, which the vendor says delivers up to a 50% increase in user density and performance for
delivery of multimedia and cloud-based applications. In addition, its management console provides centralized
configuration of multiple access points, supports up to 2,500 mobile devices, and wired and wireless device
status and network performance.
Recent HP WLAN products launched include the MSM720 Wireless Controller, MSM466-R Dual Radio Outdoor
802.11n Access Point, and FlexNetwork, a network architecture that brings together the data center, campus
and branch environments. HP is targeting the MSM720 at mid-market customers that want ease of use,
flexibility and low TCO for 10-40 AP configurations. The MSM466-R delivers high-performing indoor/outdoor
dual radio 802.11n APs, and the MSM firmware v5.7 automates and simplifies the deployment of WLAN
applications and services.
• MSM720 Wireless Controller: This product addresses multiple horizontal and vertical markets, such as
healthcare, hospitality, education, branch office environments, and mid-market enterprise. Workflows have
been automated to remove the complexity of setting up WLAN services, providing easy setup. Premium
package options include L3 mobility services. Network capacity starts at 10 APs and is upgradeable to 40 APs,
complementing the MSM710 (up to 10 APs) and MSM760/765 (40 to 200 APs). The scalable MSM controller
offers flexible physical configuration options, with four RJ45 Gigabit ports (non-Power over Ethernet) and two
dual personality G ports under software control.
• MSM466-R Dual Radio Outdoor 802.11n Access Point: This product addresses horizontal and vertical
markets, such as healthcare, hospitality, education, and other enterprise environments. It’s suited for
Page 9 of 12
indoor/outdoor deployments, such as campus courtyard client connectivity, or where wired connections are
either cost prohibitive or not feasible to implement. It’s also suited for point-to-point or point-to-multipoint
wireless communications to establish Wi-Fi connectivity among remote buildings. It replaces 100M or T3/DS3
dedicated lines with point-to-point distances up to a mile with a clear line of sight.
For outdoor WLAN performance, HP is one of the first in the industry to offer near Gigabit Ethernet WLAN
client access. Three-spatial-stream dual 802.11n APs deliver 450 Mbps per radio over 802.3af Power over
Ethernet. Concurrent operation in the 5 GHz band improves noise immunity, increases channel availability,
and enables higher utilization of 40 MHz channels (MSM466/MSM466-R). It also supports advanced and
future wireless applications that demand high-throughput and guaranteed coverage.
• MSM v5.7 Firmware: This firmware release provides automated workflows to decrease setup time and
reduce overall complexity. Initial controller settings, for example, define basic operational settings for the
controller, including network connections, security settings, and system time. Other workflows help set up
wireless access for employees or for guest users.
Clients can automatically assign their own IP address based on the contents of the RA, enabling correct IP
address assignment. Enhanced wireless status information includes broadcast statistics for each radio. Up to a
maximum of 800 total interfaces can concurrently be sampled in a team (with a maximum of 200 interfaces
per controller). AS well, XML data can be easily exported for use in applications such as Microsoft Word and
Excel. This firmware release also includes enhanced controller certificate management, as well as improved
reporting on licensing.
Figure 6: HP’s Mobility Portfolio
Source: HP
Page 10 of 12
AMC viewed HP’s WLAN
solution as the most cost-
effective on the market.
HP Customer Scenario
The Situation
ASAN Medical Center (AMC) of Seoul, Korea, is the largest hospital in Asia, treating 9,600 outpatients and 285
emergency patients on an average day, performing 57,000 complex surgeries annually, and supporting 2,743
beds. This center is also the parent of seven other hospitals that comprise the ASAN Foundation.
AMC had been using a WLAN for its data services with laptops, but was ready to take the next step in
upgrading its infrastructure to support demanding real-time applications, such as voice-over-Wi-Fi
smartphone access to electronic patient medical records. The hospital was also looking at Fixed Mobile
Convergence (FMC) services to allow staff to use their mobile phones over the local fixed wireless network
without interruption, in addition to Real Time Locating Systems (RTLS) for tracking assets such as its medical
equipment.
Ultimately, AMC was interested in empowering its staff with improved wireless services, helping to increase
productivity and improve client care.
The Value Proposition
As the result of benchmark testing of three vendor WLAN solutions, AMC chose HP. According to the
company, its decision was based on HP’s voice-over-Wi-Fi quality, its
product architecture, and ability to transfer data (including images) fast
across the network. In addition, AMC viewed HP’s WLAN solution as the
most cost-effective on the market.
AMC rolled out its entire infrastructure over a two-year period with
consulting assistance from HP service and support personnel. The hospital has 1,100 HP wireless access points,
each providing 300 meters of wireless coverage, and 800 HP Wi-Fi smartphones for its medical staff. An
additional 500 HP wireless access points will be deployed over the next year to accommodate a new wing
currently being built.
According to AMC, its HP WLAN solution has provided both medical staff and patients with a higher quality of
care and services. Medical staff can now access information using the wireless network linked to their Wi-Fi
smartphones, providing faster communications and more accurate patient data in real-time. A key benefit for
the hospital is that cases can be diagnosed faster – in some cases, two or three times faster than before the
solution was deployed. Staff productivity has also been boosted by the ability to take advantage of unified
communications and groupware for collaborative messaging.
From a management perspective, AMC believes it has bought strong investment protection in the HP WLAN
solution, with the hospital being able to cost-effectively add access points as required, and easily migrate to
new wireless standards as they are introduced.
Page 11 of 12
“We have seen big improvements since using this new solution,” said Cheon-Gueon Kim, AMC’s IT manager.
“With all employees using smartphones, we can access patient data much faster and diagnose treatments
quicker than ever before. Generally speaking, productivity has improved by two or three times.”
Read the full ASAN Medical case study here:
http://h20195.www2.hp.com/v2/GetPDF.aspx/4AA3-5771EEW.pdf
Conclusion
The Wireless LAN (WLAN) market is maturing, with many businesses deploying some level of wireless access for employees that is supported by a list of tangible and intangible benefits. WLAN market trends discussed in this Indaba White Paper will have a growing impact on business planning around WLAN, and should be considered essential to maintaining a future-proofed network. Emerging standards and protocols that encompass the access network of the future should be seriously
considered in any WLAN planning. These six trends (i.e. VoiP, consumerization, 4G, cloud, IPv6, and 802.11)
will help define overall network architectures and support decision making specific to supporting WLAN
functionality.
Businesses reviewing their WLAN options are encouraged to assess vendor solutions based on a set list of
criteria. Info-Tech’s Vendor Landscape methodology focuses on the product/solution (i.e. features,
affordability, usability, and architecture), and the vendor itself (i.e. viability, strategy, reach, and channel).
However, Info-Tech also distinguishes between standard (table stakes) features and those that are more
advanced. In assessing vendor WLAN solutions, Info-Tech reviewed advanced features (see Figure 7) that
businesses are encouraged to also review in their decision-making process.
Page 12 of 12
Figure 7: Info-Tech’s WLAN Advanced Features Criteria
Source: Info-Tech Indaba Info-Tech’s products and services combine actionable insight and relevant advice with ready-to-use tools and templates that cover the full spectrum of IT concerns. Our practical approach is designed to have a clear and measurable positive impact on your organization’s bottom line. Info-Tech serves more than 21,000 clients at 8,000 organizations around the world. Since 1998, we have focused on making the work of IT professionals easier – and on helping them achieve greater personal and corporate success. For a free trial of our practical research – including our series on Asset Management – please visit www.infotech.com. Mailing Address: Info-Tech Research Group 43 Front St. East, Suite 200 Toronto. Ontario M5E 1B3 Toll-Free: 1-888-670-8889 Website: www.infotech.com