Rapid assist The Rayware Group on their wireless connectivity and upgrades
About The Rayware Group Founded in 1975, Liverpool-based Rayware Group has become a leading UK Housewares supply company. Rayware Group engaged with Rapid Wireless for the Wi-Fi review following the successful implementation of an earlier inter-site microwave link. Evolution of office structure, visitor engagement, warehousing and logistics methodology embraced contemporary technologies unable to be supported both in terms of coverage and configuration by the legacy HP Wi-Fi system installed several years earlier. Identifying the challenges Over time, Rayware has reorganised the office layout, created a high-end show room, established a visitor engagement space and has introduced contemporary warehousing and logistics technologies. Site development resulted in the legacy HP Wi-Fi access points being installed in either incorrect location, in insufficient quantity or unable to support contemporary applications such as wrist and hand-held scanning devices or the expanded racking and palletisation methodologies employed in warehousing. Delivering a solution Rapid Wireless account management agreed coverage specification with Rayware prior to coordinating D-Link-attended site surveys to complete 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency mapping analysis. At Showroom location, the following illustrates legacy coverage and target coverage: At Warehouse location, the following images illustrate partitioned warehouse area and target coverage: Warehousing survey enabled solution to blind-spot issues created by densely populated steel racking and pallets. Wi-Fi in office areas required to accommodate revised office and partitioning layout to enable mobile device access to internet and server-based applications for employee and guest access. Warehouse access requirements include seamless connectivity for mobile devices operated by staff to access central stock keeping and internal systems. Review of existing cabling infrastructure in clean and within dust-laden environments were key factors in delivery of a robust and successful implementation. The Solution Rapid Wireless was supported by D-Link as the nominated manufacturer in the generation of heatmaps detailing access point positions to meet customer requirements. Existing access point positions were retained where appropriate. Additional access points were delivered and cabled by Rapid’s deployment team utilising new and existing containment trays and ducting. Warehousing ‘dirty’ areas (i.e. airborne dusts) required access point protective housings that were non-masking and to IP standard. IP66 rated GRP electrical enclosures were sourced and included within the proposition. D-Link Wi-Fi 6 Nuclias access points were pre-configured by Rapid’s technical team and installed at all pre-planned locations within the customer site. Upon completion of installation and network commissioning, service testing, reporting and handover followed. Testing included training and handover of D-Link’s Nuclias Connect Network Management Software (NMS). Nuclias Connect enables Rayware’s technical team to monitor and manage the Connect app from desktop, tablet or smartphone. All current technical, workspace and system management requirements have been delivered. Installed access point distribution: In conclusion, Rapid Wireless is pleased to have been selected as Rayware’s technical partner during their upgrade to the D-Link Nuclias Wi-Fi solution. If your business is reviewing Wi-Fi connectivity, Rapid would be pleased to hear from you. Speak to us to see how we can help with your Wireless Connectivity needs!