The invention of Li-Fi

You thought you’d heard it all when it came to Wi-Fi but now, they've invented The Li-Fi. A light bulb, which emits its own Wi-Fi signal. Researchers from the Fudan University in Shanghai have developed a prototype which they are naming the Li-Fi.

The micro-chipped LED bulb can be used to connect up to four wireless devices using light frequencies rather than radio waves. The microchip produces a signal at 150Mbs per second, which is believed to be considerably faster than the average Wi-Fi connection in China.

Obviously, you need to keep the light on to keep the connection in place but surely this is a small price to pay for faster Wi-Fi? While the product is still in the research stages, it is set to be unveiled at the International Industry Fair in Shanghai next month.

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Are you a 'flashpacker'?

An article in this week’s Telegraph states, “in 2013, according to a new survey, the average backpacker – or “flashpacker” – now carries more than £3,000 worth of kit, including hair straighteners and electric toothbrushes. They are more likely to “rough it” in a five-star hotel than a rickety tent, and tend to hop between destinations on a plane, rather than trek the full distance.”

Do you remember the time before we all left the house mobile pinned to our ear? Or sat on a train reading a book or newspaper rather than our kindle or tablet? You’ll have to think back the best part of twenty years!

According to the recent survey in the Telegraph, the average backpacker now carries £3,000 worth of ‘essentials’ including hair straighteners electric toothbrushes and technology. Their kit bag could be double the price of a round the world ticket!

But, not only do they take the kit with them on their travels around the globe, but they also log in to every Wi-Fi hot spot Tweeting their antics along the way. But whose Wi-Fi are they using?

Take your pick, find me a business that isn't offering free Wi-Fi and note the distinct lack of devices within the vicinity. Now nearly every coffee house, restaurant, store, hotel or high street allows you to log on and surf at will. Not only does this reduce astronomical overseas roaming charges, but it also makes communicating with loved ones at home instantaneous. There’s no waiting to ring once a week from a payphone you find, simply hook up to the local Wi-Fi and bang, ping an email with attached video or photo of where you are.  Or even make a Skype, FaceTime or Viber telephone/video call!

And it’s not just the big cities offering free Wi-Fi, smaller towns and far off locations even in the deepest parts of the African desert, still offer connectivity for travellers and locals alike. Festivals, sporting events, even flower shows also offer free access.

But what good does it do for the business providing the service? There’s the obvious social network promotion, tweeting ‘just popped into Starbucks to grab a coffee and use their Wi-Fi’ to ‘I'm in the middle of the desert, connected using my phone, here’s where I am (cue video link)’. There’s also the travellers and indeed locals view of why can’t I connect here? It’s now expected, no matter the country, that we will be able to use Wi-Fi, and more often than not, it will be free.

So when your son or daughter drops the bombshell that they’re off travelling for their gap year. Forget about buying them the Rough Guide or worrying they’ll keep in touch. Simply buy them a smartphone or tablet, if they don’t have one already that is, and a solar charger to keep the battery topped up and watch the updates come flooding in. 

Connectivity on the golf course? Fore for Wi-Fi!

According to V3 the PGA European Tour has confirmed plans to roll out high performance WiFi to all participating golf courses.  With the PGA tour visiting 52 countries and with many offering unreliable 3 or 4G networks, it was vital the PGA used wireless technology to allow for live streaming and a consistent network. 

At APC, we deploy networks across the globe from golf estates in South Africa to oil rigs in the middle of the Black Sea. In the UK, we've supplied temporary connectivity to construction sites including the Shard and connected multiple car dealerships across the country.

For most of our clients, speed of installation is key. If the client is working on a short term project the installation of a leased line connection can take several months, for APC’s wireless networks, we take the time frame down to days.

We live in information overload. Gone are the days of turning up at a tournament purely to watch the game? Now, we want to watch the game and re-stream the bits we missed while we went to get a drink. We want to upload our photos instantly whilst connecting to the local Wi-Fi and we don’t want to have to pay for the privilege.

Customers demand connectivity be that at the local store, coffee house, hotel or gig venue. The phase free Wi-Fi used to be a selling point, now, it’s expected. With celebrities taking to social networks to launch albums, show their latest photos and update their fans on their whereabouts, it’s expected that they Tweet a picture of them about to go down to the golf course or at the latest hot spot.

Installing a Wi-Fi network also allows the promoter extra revenue opening up the network to advertisers and companies within the local area. Need a hotel nearby? Here’s one with a discounted rate for those attending the golf. Something to eat, here’s the pre golf menu.  Gone are the days where we meander down the road in the hope to find a pub on the way, now we connect and find the nearest pub, download the offer voucher and book a table all from our phone or tablet, and then we tweet or Facebook to say we’re going there and how it was.

So can your business, event, golf course or coffee shop survive without Wi-Fi? Sure, but with it, it will succeed.

Are you part of the Wi-Fi workforce

For many freelancers or those owning their own consultancy or small business, utilising a coffee shops free Wi-Fi is far cheaper than renting an office space. And why not? If you work independently or with others but again, they work at their own premises or home, why do you need an office with expensive utility bills when you can camp out at the local coffee house and use the Wi-Fi for free and let’s face it, the coffee is better too!

For the larger chains like Starbucks and Costa, Wi-Fi is free and for most cases, unlimited, leaving the Wi-Fi workforce free to make camp for a few hours to deliver their latest project. Simply grab your coffee, find your table, open the laptop and deliver the clients proposal in the comfort of the air con and endless pastries and refills.

But, where does this leave the smaller independent coffee houses which are often more limited on space. They already need to foot the bill for the free Wi-Fi access but can also lose out on custom if all the tables are filled with the Wi-Fi workforce. Non Wi-Fi users can also feel uncomfortable coming in to sit and enjoy a coffee which their neighbours tap tap tap away on their keyboards.

But what’s the answer? Many coffee shops in San Francisco are now limiting their free Wi-Fi access to a few hours a day or only making it available through a different passcode each day which is only available if you make a purchase. Therefore ensuring that customers wishing to use the Wi-Fi can, but not to the disadvantage of other customers. Others are keeping some of their tables laptop or tablet free zones allowing those that want to grab a quick lunch more chance of getting a table.

There is also a Wi-Fi etiquette, the ratio to which you purchase coffee or snacks to the time you spend at the establishment. For many, this varies on the coffee shop. If it’s a larger branded establishment then the ratio is less compared to a smaller independent which needs and values its customer.

Some coffee houses have even become Wi-Fi free zones ensuring that customers can reside in a technology free area with nothing more than the grind of the coffee beans or background music to break their conscious. Which for some, is appealing, but those which are meeting in the middle, accommodating both the Wi-Fi users and those that just want their cup of coffee or lunch are really on to the winning combination. One coffee house owner even saw a jump in profits between 15-20% purely by ensuring they accommodated both types of consumers.

So, consider your solution carefully. Monitor its use. Recognise your cliental and ensure your product offering is as enticing as your Wi-Fi strength.

City of York, the best connected city?

This week The City of York revealed it wants to be the ‘Best connected City in the UK by the end of 2015’. Quite a goal for a city which doesn't yet have 4G connectivity. However, it has been awarded £2.7 million in funding as part of the Super Connected Cities Programme which will allow it to install large television screen in city areas, Wi-Fi and provide digital education.

Working with equipment supplied by Ruckus Wireless, York hopes to bring in a scalable network that will reach the outskirts of the city as well as inner city areas. Even providing free Wi-Fi to skate parks, open air theatres and shopping areas.

The council’s hope is to enable residents and visitors to the city access to all the relevant information services allowing them to have the ultimate ‘visit’ to the city. Which makes sense, if you’re travelling somewhere new and you need to know where to go for dinner, see if there’s an offer on at the local theatre or even too check train times, why should you have to use your own data bundle? Surely this information should be made available to you, for free?

And with the information being made available wirelessly, this will also afford the council the luxury of reducing its printed material. Who needs a printed map of the city when you can connect for free and follow your phones sat nav? The end of printed voucher codes for restaurants, just connect and show your code?

Is there a downside? We can’t see one. Shops will gain footfall as people are more likely to stay longer browsing your store if they can connect for free. Restaurants and coffee shops will see punters staying for longer drinking their coffee and ordering another. And teens will always be happy to download the latest track to play while using the local skate park.

                                                                                     

With cities growing at an outstanding rate and house prices still at a high despite the global recession it’s also only right the council are pushing the Wi-Fi further afield than just the town centre locations. Not only does this allow you to connect without being in the centre of town, but it also allows those premises on the outskirts to advertise their wares and encourage footfall. Out of town shopping centres usually frequented by the masses on Sundays for DIY missions become a more social area with the use of free Wi-Fi, soon a coffee shop pops up and the DIY shop becomes far more pleasurable than just a trip for a pot of paint.

Many often comment the internet has made us less social with people communicating via email, text or social networking sites rather than face to face. Which in one aspect is certainly true but, by bringing Wi-Fi to outside space, and making it free, it allows users to interact and connect socially.           

                 

With Wi-Fi being rolled out across town centres and cities up and down the country, we are soon to become a truly connected nation. And don’t be fooled that this will only appeal to the youth market frantically tapping into their phones. The 60 plus surfer will also be able to connect using their phone or laptop. Why stay in and surf online when you can pop into town and connect wirelessly for free and grab a sandwich and meet your neighbour at the same time.

With money comparison sites dominating the internet and social networking sites the most frequently visited of all, councils need to ensure they take their piece of the Wi-Fi pie and offer their residents an exceptional level of coverage. The benefits far outweigh the initial cost and with the government keen for us all to be connected may even be free. 

News just announced, Google will be providing up to 10 times faster Wi-Fi into US Starbucks chains. Starbucks has commented that its free Wi-Fi is one of the predominate reasons customers stay longer in its coffee houses and why it has become the brand of choice for Americans looking to do more than just grab a cup of coffee and go.

Google will also be looking to develop the Starbucks’ Digital Network, the first page consumers will see when they are given the opportunity to connect to the free wireless network. What an opportunity! You cannot escape this page; want to use the Wi-Fi? Then you have to type in your details; agree to the terms, conditions, and type in the password.

So how could this affect your business? I have recently upgraded my phone, now, whenever I walk into a coffee house, store or building that offers a Wi-Fi connection up pops the screen to log in and connect.

Then, I have the standard fill in your details screen. Now here’s the real opportunity to target your users. You can gather their email address to be used for future campaigns, tick. Target them with the latest in store offer, log on to our Wi-Fi, oh and here’s an extra 10% off today or fill in this survey and get a free filter coffee top up? The possibilities, as they say, are endless.

But it’s the follow through that really matters. It’s using this data to further improve your business. So last week your user connected to your Wi-Fi while having their MOT. But did you follow up with an email 11 months later reminding them to come back to you? This is the real crux of the matter. Providing free Wi-Fi costs a company money, therefore it has to offer something back to the business.

If you’re a coffee house this is obvious, it means people stay longer drinking their coffee and probably order another or a sandwich. But, are you likely to stay longer while having your car fixed? Probably not, but you may pick up some oil if an offer pops up, or book in for an air con re-charge as part of your service? It’s the added extras that bring people back to your business.

Having time off work to get your car serviced or MOT’d isn’t always possible, but saying you need to pop out, but you will log and do some work whilst having your car serviced makes it that little bit easier.

And we all have a coffee or lunch break, but how many of us really take it? Somehow, the act of checking your emails while you actually finish a sandwich rather than picking at it at your desk makes it that little bit easier to stomach. There are also countless studies to say how leaving the office even for half an hour can boost your productivity considerably.

So next time you pop out for a coffee, don’t feel guilty, just tell your boss Starbucks Wi-Fi is faster than the office and suggest they call APC Solutions to deliver a faster network? 

Can your business be without a Wireless LAN (WLAN) network?

A recent survey by Information Weekly said that of the 419 respondents 89% use 802.11n technologies as an access method for end users which is up from 76% in September 2010. A huge increase to the latest equipment. Nearly a quarter of the respondents also reported that traffic had exploded over the last year.

With smart, iphone and android devices being launched each week, the evolution to 4G well under way and the huge boost tablets have given to the wireless market, can companies afford not to be using the latest wireless equipment? Over 45% of those surveyed were planning to deploy the latest 802.11ac as soon as it was available.

But, do companies need to keep abreast of the latest wireless LAN developments? Or can they settle for their current technology? This, of course, depends on the extent of their wireless network. If their office phones and computers are supported by traditional connections and their wireless access is only acting as a support for mobile devices and laptops then there is an argument to say, stay put for a while, keep at the “n” standard and maintain a steady, if slightly slower connection.

However, if the office is a hive of hot desk activity, cloud based storage and tablet happy then can you afford not to upgrade? No. The initial cost of upgrading the equipment can be recouped in a short period of time, in some cases less than 6 months from initial installation, with the network already in place the upgrade can take as little as a day.

But can the financial outlay be justified? Yes, if you need your office space, distribution centre or even airport to supply a high speed network with almost zero downtime or drop in speed the cost takes care of itself. With tablets and smart phone technology changing quickly, renewal contracts shortening and refresh packages now commonplace, the usual 24 month contract is being replaced by 6, 12 or even monthly renewal periods.

And how do clients react to your network? From the survey 34% have 25% more client traffic sent or received over the wireless network. How will it affect business when the client logs on to your network, only to find the system can’t cope with the 5MB file they’re trying to upload to the office through your internal Wi-Fi access? People don’t expect to have to wait for file uploads or hook their laptop up to the internal cabled network, they expect to key in a code and bang, away the file, email or document goes with no hassle or interruption.

So make the necessary upgrades when available, after all, can you really afford not to? 37% of respondents see wireless networks replacing wired infrastructure within just five years that gives the likes of Apple, Samsung and other leading manufactures enough time to release even further developments!  

Just how much do we rely on WiFi and do we frequent establishments without it?

You know the drill, pop out for coffee, find table, turn WiFi on, connect to coffee shops free WiFi, save on your data and get your daily Facebook or news fix while sipping your double shot latte. But, would you stay as long as you do, order that extra coffee or pastry or even go there at all without the free WiFi?

Just this week, the tourist town of Taos in New Mexico had its major fibre optic cable severed and all connection to the town was lost. Just one hotel kept its connection, the rest of the stores, coffee shops, hotels and homes lost their connection. Mobile phone coverage went down, WiFi went off and the town grew quiet from the buzz of communication save for the old age of conversation.

Just how much do we rely on the internet, our tablets and our phones to communicate? Even birthday and Christmas cards are sent using online card companies with local high street stores facing administration. The art of looking for the perfect card is now just a click away.

We use our phones and their wireless coverage for everything from shopping to sending a simple email. Our weekly shop is stored in an app and delivered to our door, if we were to actually drive to the store, would we even know where the items we wanted were?

This may all sound negative but communication using Wi-Fi is also fundamental. We have to travel on business, using apps like Facetime or Skype allow other halves and children to maintain contact with their partner or parents. Skype bridges the gap across oceans to allow us to see our loved ones or conduct a business meeting without costly air miles. Also saving valuable green miles using the airwaves over the train, car or air travel.

Offering free Wi-Fi drives sales to your business, offering a free hot spot ensures customers stay for longer and have an added bonus of using your office, store or restaurant. We are a time poor society, gone are the long business lunch days, now it is a quick hour-long lunch as can be seen by Wolfgang Pucks hour lunch menu at Cut. Within the hour we need to socialise, secure the deal and check in to the office to ensure that last minute email arrived and the deal is done before the overseas office is closed.

Walk into an office when the internet has gone down and see the panic..... We rely so heavily on our internet connection these days, that the demand for greater bandwidth and more reliable solutions is becoming the need and driver for so many business and organisations.  

If only Taos had thought about a resilient or more reliable solution.  Could wireless backhaul be the answer?  We certainly think so!

BYOD security debate rumbles on

A report issued recently by analyst firm Garter confirms worldwide security software revenues reached $19.2bn in 2012 compared to $17.7bn in 2011. As the BYOD debate rumbles on, are firms prepared to increase their security outlay to ensure employees own devices are safe?

The rise of employees using their own tablets, phones and laptops has meant companies need to consider their company security. Should a device be left on the train home or local coffee house, without the necessary security encryption, a company’s security could be breached and once it is breached, the BYOD debate really kicks off.

So can a company really afford to allow its employees to bring their devices to work? Of course, but only if strict security guidelines are followed and of course, regularly updated. There is no point rolling out a security programme, ensuing your employee has the relevant software on all their devices to find that the contract lapsed a month ago? Companies need to ensure their IT departments are constantly on top of their security and of course, ensure employees are willing to work with them to ensure the safety of company files and information.

Is it easier to not allow employees to bring their own devices into the work place? Of course, but is it practical? No. With the latest versions being released yearly if not more frequently, companies cannot keep abreast of the latest versions and why would an employee use an old version when their own device is quicker, more reliable and easier to use?

So, it looks like the security firms revenue is set to increase further over the next few years. But, could the technology firms cash in on the BYOD revolution? By working with companies to offer their own range of security protection if the device is used at work, could companies bridge the gap between employees own and company owned devices. As the customer purchased their device, if their company was registered with the retailer could the security be added to the device in store to the company’s desired spec? For instance, if the company approaches a retailer, ensures its employees purchase their own devices from said supplier at a discount and have it work ready? Could this ensure that employees can still have the freedom of their own device and allow them to upgrade in their own time but at a discount and protected by the employer? It would certainly make it easier to manage.

However, until that happens, it is left with employees to be honest of their own device usage and for companies to be vigilant of their security software updates. Of course, as long as employees cannot access the company network without specific log in details this will allow the company to keep on top of this. But security is and always will be paramount to BYOD being integrated into best working practice. 

Essex Countywide Business Awards - David Bell is the Judges Chair

As Group Sales Director, David Bell, was about to board a plane to visit the US office, Ann Quinn, from the Essex Business Awards, rung to invite David to be the 2013 Countywide Business Awards Chair of Judges. Having won Business Man of the Year at the 2011 Mid Essex Awards, David knew this opportunity was too good to miss. Allowing David the chance to review all the entries and work with the business awards team to help agree the finalists for each category, David would be an instrumental part of the judging process.

David and his fellow judges reviewed this year’s record number of entries selecting the shortlist for each category. It is then down to the judge of each category to choose the final winner.

The awards evening will be hosted by Ann Quinn and David Bell who will lead the evening and assist in presenting the awards. David will also deliver an inspirational speech at the event.

David and APC’s relationship with Essex Business Awards started when it entered and won Business Man of the Year in the 2011 Mid Essex Awards. In the same year, APC’s Technical Director Chris Lynch, was shortlisted for Business Man of the Year at the Colchester awards.  APC then went on to receive further awards success in 2012 when it was shortlisted for Business Man and Growing Business of the Year at the Colchester awards, its Technical Project Manager Lee Collis, Won Employee of the Year at the East of England Business Champions Awards and it was head sponsor of the Countywide Business Awards. APC also sponsored Business Woman of the Year at the Mid Essex Awards which saw David deliver a speech and present the award.

So are awards important to local businesses? Of course. The networking opportunities alone offer companies that may even operate within the same town the chance to meet and secure future relationships. With email, social media and video hangouts taking over the way we network and communicate, there is still no substitute for meeting someone face to face. Yes, a recommendation on a website can give you an idea of the work the company has conducted, but meeting the MD, hearing from them on a first hand basis, and meeting the people they employee will instantly give you an impression of the company.

Sponsoring awards also gives you a valuable platform to talk to a captive and relevant audience about your business. Choosing a category, you are passionate about, or which relates to your business is fundamental in achieving awards success. This will single handily allow you instant access to your peers, you can learn from their entries, their achievements and their business structure and in turn, depart your own advice from your business experiences.

David being chosen as Chair of the Judges is a huge honour for APC Solutions. Allowing David to be involved from the start, meeting and working with all of the individual category judges has given him valuable insight into Essex businesses. Working with estate agents, HR consultants and fellow MD’s, David has been given the opportunity to review all the individual entrants.

2013 has seen a record number of award entries across all categories. The strength, diversity and entrepreneurship across the county is outstanding. Essex is THE hub for business and APC is very proud to be part of it. 

The year that was 2012

What a year for team APC. With two finalist nominations and a win at the East of England Business Champions Awards, a further two finalist nominations at the Colchester Business Awards, the main corporate sponsor for the Essex Countywide Awards and finally, sponsoring the Business Woman of the Year category at the Mid Essex Awards – APC had a busy year on the business awards circuit.

At the East of England Business Champions Awards, Lee Collis, Technical Project Manager, scooped Employee of the Year and Group Sales Director; David Bell was nominated for Business person of the Year. A tremendous achievement for APC’s first year of entering these awards.

APC first established its relationship with the Essex Business Awards when David Bell won Business Man of the Year at the 2011 Mid Essex Awards. Since then APC has gone on to be nominated at further awards throughout 2011 and 2012.

The Countywide Business Awards gave APC the opportunity to raise money for a charity close to its Director David Bell’s heart, The Starlight Foundation. On the night of the awards attendees raised in excess of £2500 for the charity. A tremendous achievement and one that will benefit David’s son’s school friend, Joshua, who suffers with a brain tumour.

2012 also saw APC continue its expansion in South Africa. APC has continued to deliver wireless projects across South Africa including working for renowned wine manufacture, Rupert Wines.

In the latter part of 2012, APC started to expand its operations in to the Middle East, by collaborating with strategic partners in Qatar. The success of the partnerships allowed APC to expand its global network further, by developing a Middle East Business Team, which would continue to raise APC’s profile and secure future projects.

APC also expanded its UK based team with the addition of Nigel Cappleman, as Business Development Manager and Harry Woolmore as a Wireless Engineer. Its UK based team not only plans and deploys UK projects but also travels to the company’s satellite offices to secure new business and work closely with the territory Directors. APC believes this is fundamental to its success, having a global team that interacts and evolves the company with knowledge of all its territories.

Undertaking several high profile projects for household names including the likes of Tiptree Jams, The Harrods Group, Fulham Football Club and Poundland, APC has worked with wireless manufacturers Cambium Networks and Ruckus to deploy wireless networks across the country. 2012 also saw APC secure a wireless project for ‘The Shard’, the tallest building in Western Europe.

2012 really was a great year for APC and we look forward to a successful 2013 ahead. 

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Leased Line Replacement

With the current economic climate, investing in your infrastructure and data network maybe the last thing on your mind? But, with on-going maintenance support and expensive subscription costs for your existing IT network often in excess of £10K a year per circuit, how much difference would a saving of over 25% per annum make to your bottom line?

Installing a wireless network doesn't mean a considerable investment, the ROI can be returned in a matter of years leaving you with ownership of your network and a simple to manage service level agreement in place. 

There is also the small matter of bandwidth. With technology constantly evolving, applications like live streaming, video conferencing and Cloud based applications are all becoming commonplace in today’s work place, traditional technologies simply can’t deliver the required speeds, and the battle for fast, reliable and flexible internet connectivity has begun.   

These fixed line cable alternatives also often come with data limits, extensive fees, and additional costs for larger bandwidth speeds, many are locked and limited for certain applications only, the user has limited access and control to their own systems.   As a result, many businesses are finding their forecasted costs can double, come the end of the financial year, purely to accommodate for changes or alterations to their network.   

And what happens when there’s a problem? The circuit goes down, the company halts and has to wait for an outside party to diagnose and fix the problem, costing both valuable time and money. There is also the worry of fixed lines being cut during construction projects or road works, lines not working at critical times and extreme weather damaging reliability.

Finally, there is the wait time for a circuit to be installed and activated. Often a connection can be required within the same week, but with fixed lines having to be installed and connected and there not always being an existing circuit in place to the building, a week turnaround is nigh on impossible. Most fixed lines providers give a 60day “go live” date from the initial enquiry, in this time they will conduct their survey, and in many cases advise customers of extensive extra construction costs.  We have seen these costs spiral to in excess of £100k for one single circuit from some providers.

However, this is not so with wireless. A connection can be requested, planned, implemented and installed in under a week, and in some cases in less than 24hrs for disaster recovery projects.  Wireless can also be installed as a short term fix, no need to sign lengthy contracts for 12, 24, 36 months terms, we can supply a solution for as little as 24hrs, providing complete flexibility.

Cambium Point-to-Point (PTP) and Point-to-Multipoint (PMP) Wireless Broadband solutions, installed by APC Solutions, advantages can be substantial. First, you can eliminate or significantly reduce monthly lease fees. Overall network performance can be upgraded, which is especially important to support today’s in-demand, real-time applications such as Voice-over-IP, video surveillance, and video conferencing.

In many networks, local access is the most problematic point of network congestion. Wireless broadband can provide a stable, high-performance platform to ease local-access bottlenecks. Wireless also enables agile and flexible bandwidth provisioning that can be easily and quickly scaled up or down to match dynamic traffic patterns. Its unique, problem-solving technology is also able to increase reliability and connect remote, hard-to-reach locations while offering exceptional quality of service. Plus, its non-line-of-sight (NLOS) systems communicate steadfastly in some of the most challenging environments on earth.

VERSATILITY

APC Solutions Cambium Networks PTP and PMP wireless solutions can support a wide range of network applications, including:

• Replacing leased-line service with wireless broadband

• Extending fiber networks with wireless

• Deploying a wireless backup network to ensure business continuity

• Furthering network migration by integrating wireless into hybrid networks

Optimising network performance and extending network services to additional users while containing costs is an ongoing process. With systems that deliver up to 700 Mbps aggregate throughput, APC solutions can transmit high-definition video very efficiently. High quality-of-service and low latency – as low as 1.7 milliseconds – can protect the quality of voice communications.

Fixed wireless networks are significantly more cost-effective and faster-to-deploy solutions. Systems can be planned and deployed in a matter of days or weeks rather than months or years. Equally important, cost of expansion is significantly reduced. Plus our PTP and PMP systems can perform reliably over long distances, in obstructed environments and high interference, as well as severe weather conditions.

BETTER RESULTS WITH LESS COST

There are two major reasons to replace leased-line service with APC Solutions Cambium Wireless Broadband – eliminate or reduce leased-line charges and improve network performance. As requirements for bandwidth continue to increase and budgets continue to shrink, its wireless broadband solutions can offer significant bottom-line benefits.

With more than 3.5 million PMP units and more than 60,000 PTP systems deployed worldwide. APC and Cambium Networks have the experience to help you design a wireless solution that best meets your specific needs. Working with its global network, it has successfully deployed wireless solutions in a wide variety of business and government organisations. APC Solutions has the solutions, partners, and expertise to help realise greater value and performance from your communications networks.

APC Solutions relationship with the well renowned Essex Business Awards started when David Bell, Group Sales Director and Chris Lynch, Group Technical Director went on to become finalists at both the Countywide and Colchester Awards in 2011. David became a finalist at the Countywide, whilst Chris was a finalist at the Colchester Awards.  

Their success increased further, when David won Business Man of the Year in October 2011, at the Mid Essex Awards.  

APC instantly formed lasting business relationships and went on to become the head sponsor of the 2012 Countywide Business Awards that took place in May 2012. As head sponsor, APC chose the charity to be supported on the night. It chose The Starlight Foundation and raised over £2500. A tremendous achievement for both APC and the Essex Business Awards.

So do awards help businesses? We think so. They boost profile; engage consumers and like-minded businesses in social situations that in turn, generate lasting business relationships. APC Solutions has found that the environment on the awards nights is perfect for networking. The mood is casual, everyone there is in business locally and they all want to support each other.

APC Solutions has certainly found that working with the Essex Business Awards has given it a new perspective on networking. It already engages in social media, regally updating Facebook and Twitter with news updates, case studies and relevant news. The awards help to strengthen brand recognition; something the team is keen to ensure is prominent within both the local and global markets.

And, there’s nothing better than networking and meeting perspective new clients face to face. People do not just see the potential of the communications; they also see the person behind the business. Something APC finds repeatedly generates new business and repeat custom from its existing clients.

APC has just recently been selected for two categories at this year’s 2012 Colchester Business Awards. David Bell has yet again been selected as a finalist in the Business Man of the Year category, whilst the company itself has also been selected for Growing Business of the Year. This is another fabulous testament to the hard work, passion and dedication that the Directors and team give to the company.

APC Solutions is a wireless communications and networking company based in Kelvedon, Essex. It also has satellite offices in South Africa and North America and is expanding to the Middle East in early 2013.

For more information on APC Solutions visit the website www.apcsolutionsuk.com or follow us on twitter @apcsolutionsuk