Adventist Healthcare
C3-Wireless, LLC, a consulting company specializing in mission-critical wireless networking services, recently completed multiple wireless VoIP site surveys for Adventist Healthcare, one of the largest healthcare systems in the country.
As they upgrade each of their hospitals to Vocera badges, a wireless VoIP and RTLS (Real Time Location System) solution, an advanced and thorough wireless site survey is required to ensure reliability and call quality as users roam through the facilities.
For each site, C3-Wireless completed an RF spectrum analysis and created a predictive model using sophisticated software that starts by inputting the RF characteristics of the site's construction and the anticipated placement and configuration of access points. Next they calculated the signal propagation and identified potential coverage and capacity issues. "What if" scenarios were then possible by adjusting the model and seeing the changes in real-time.
After C3-Wireless identified the initial placement of access points, they then temporarily placed the access points and antennas in the proper areas according to the virtual site survey. From there, they completed a full onsite manual site survey, measuring for signal strength, signal-to-noise ratio (measuring a signal's viability), interference, and data rates.
Adventist Healthcare was impressed with the methodology and completeness of C3-Wireless' site surveys compared to prior consultants work. Adventist Healthcare has continued to hire C3-Wireless to perform wireless consulting work at additional hospitals.
Our Methodology
Anyone can claim they do wireless site surveys, including those that walk around using free utilities that check for basic signal strength, without any training or understanding of how wireless works. That may be fine if you only need basic Internet connectivity, but if your network supports mission-critical applications, you need a professional-grade solution.
Our methodologies are what differentiate us from our competition. We start with the belief that combining the best tools and training with years of experience leads to the best wireless solutions available. Our formula for success includes the following:
Expert Certified Personnel
We start with a commitment to having the best trained personnel possible. We only employ or contract with Certified Wireless Network Professionals (CWNP).
We are proud to be a member of the prestigious CWNE roundtable, an exclusive committee of wireless experts dedicated to developing the highest level and most respect vendor-neutral certification in the wireless industry, as well as writing technical whitepapers.
Predictive Modeling
Predictive models, also known as virtual site surveys allow us to efficiently and accurately identify the number of access points required, as well as their initial placement and configuration. Modeling is ideal for creating "what if" scenarios that show us the effects of changes in real time. Our designs always start with a model which we then validate.
RF Spectrum Analysis
Because wireless networks operate in unlicensed frequencies, potential interference from numerous devices such as microwaves, cordless phones, Bluetooth devices, video cameras, etc. can have a significant negative impact. RF spectrum analyzers are the only devices that can identify physical-layer interference, and no onsite wireless site survey is complete without this service.
Onsite Site Surveys / Validation
When the highest degree of accuracy is required for your mission-critical applications, there is no substitute for a professional-grade manual site survey.
Our surveys start with temporarily mounting the same access points and antennas that will be permanently installed. We then use professional-grade software to test not only for signal strength, but Signal-to-Noise ratio (SNR) to test the signal's viability, interference and data rates. Our thorough approach is the most accurate solution available.
Detailed Deliverables
Our reports spell out the facts, and leave no doubt in the customer's mind as to what the wireless network does or will look like.