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Establishing a wireless network can be just about as difficult as anything that's actually done on that network. With a variety of points to consider before the network can be fully established and made operational, just figuring out how to set up the network can be a complex and draining practice. But Xirrus wants to help make the process of establishing a new network much simpler with a cloud-based design tool called the Xirrus Wi-Fi Designer-Cloud.

The Xirrus Wi-Fi Designer-Cloud offers a way to determine where Xirrus Access Points, as well as Xirrus Arrays should be placed in an office to provide the best possible experience in wireless. Basically, the tool shows off how the Xirrus Access Points and Arrays work together to cover a certain amount of area, which the user can also input along with types of materials used in the construction of the walls in the office in question. After all, different materials have different properties that can impact the use of a Wi-Fi signal, so knowing what's involved in the construction of a building will go a long way toward figuring out how to set up the Wi-Fi network.

The Wi-Fi Designer-Cloud is offered up on a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS (News - Alert)) basis, which means that there won't be any need for local installation of the service. That also precludes any need for upgrades and maintenance, allowing users to access the service only on an as-needed basis. Perhaps the best part is that the app offers different value depending on who's using it. Those who have already worked with Xirrus can use the app for expansion proceedings, while those who have yet to work with the company can use it to set up a network for the first time. Even sales reps can put the app to work, showing off how Xirrus hardware can be best put to use in an office, setting up the complete network right before the potential customer's own eyes.

Since the tool is based on predictive design, it can set up a reasonably accurate diagram of how an installation should go without requiring a physical survey, which could take up quite a bit of time that might be better served elsewhere.

Already, positive word about the services is emerging, from users like VALL Technologies' founder Ron Valdez, who said, “Xirrus Wi-Fi Designer-Cloud is ideally suited for my customers who want to weigh the costs and benefits of developing new wireless infrastructures. It allows me to create different scenarios to demonstrate how the network will perform to help make better business decisions.”

Valdez wasn't alone in praise for the new service, as Arrow Electronics (News - Alert) senior systems engineer Matt Kassawara also stepped in, saying, “Wi-Fi Designer-Cloud is an excellent addition to Xirrus's Cloud Services offerings. The predictive nature of the application frees us to focus on our business rather than the hypothetical problems associated with quoting and building out a network.”

With the growth of bring your own device (BYOD) protocols and the mobile workforce setting up shop to be part of the business community for a long time to come, establishing a wireless network that can keep up with the demand is a smart idea. The Xirrus Wi-Fi Designer-Cloud, meanwhile, will go a long way toward making sure that that network isn't just ready for today, but also ready for tomorrow, while still fitting in with the rest of the design schemes that go into office construction. Xirrus' platform should leave a lot of offices much more ready to take on the challenges ahead.