CTS 077: Warehouse Wi-Fi

When it comes to challenging environments, warehouse Wi-Fi makes it to the top of the list. Each warehouse is a different environment housing different types of inventory which affect how the RF propagates. François speaks about his experience designing for warehouses. Warehouse Wi-Fi François has done a few warehouse designs and deployments. He is going to share his personal experiences when approaching warehouse Wi-Fi. Below are some of the bullet point topics we talk about. If you have any questions, feedback, or would like to add to the show please leave a comment below. Safety * Always remember that you are working in someone else’s working space (true for any Wi-Fi, especially true for warehouses) * Skyjack use * Prep work about safety: * Ask the customer if any safety training are required * Am I going to need boots, safety glasses, hard hat, safety jacket * If you are going to drive a skyjack, do I need a licence for it? Do I have a licence for it? If yes, I will also need a harness * Once on site: * Always look around * Walk in the walking area whenever you can * Always give a visual to the lift truck drivers * Wear your safety equipment * Coordinate with the supervision to survey busy areas when they are less busy. (Especially the loading stations) * If you are handling your survey equipment for an AP-on-a-stick, be careful with it as well Design * Structure of the building * Ceiling height (Can vary from 1 warehouse to another). This is greatly going to affect your design * What is inside the warehouse? Is is Milk, Wine or is it wood, metal? * How high are the racks? Do I have different type of racks? What are their attenuation? How do you test the attenuation? * How are the employee using the Wi-Fi devices? Let’s talk about how advanced those scanner guns are 😉 * Usually 1 section with offices (on the ground floor or on 2 floors) and the rest is warehouse. * Separate it in your design. They don’t have the same requirements (not the same devices, not the same applications, not the same density, not the same environment) * Will I need different SSIDs? * How do I deal with offices inside the warehouse? * AP locations and mounting options (Am I going to mount the AP on the wall, on the ceiling) * Watch out for obstructions objects in the ceiling * Be precise with antenna installation (angle, location, orientation) – Give out good instructions to the installers * Do I need to lower the antenna from the ceiling? * What devices do I have in the warehouse? What type of security can I use? Survey * Make sure you have proper floorpans (updated). * If your floor plans are empty, find elements which are going to help you to find out where you are (doors, docking area…) * Measure distances (to the wall, to the ceiling, to the beam…) * Laser measure distance tool * Be nice with the employees (remember, you are the intruder) – They will be nice with you and you will have a much better time. * If you need to take measurements with a SkyJack, make sure you can lift the skyjack from the ground. * Use pylon cones for extra safety * Your battery life is going to be your limitation. Organize your time so you do something else while the battery charges. (break, documentation…) * Mark the AP location with something you can see from the floor. (Pink plastic tape, While board,,,) Prep Work * Prepare the equipment * Do I have my APs? * Are my APs configured? * Do I have my antennas? Do I have the right antennas? * Specific equipment for warehouse: Skyjack, High Ceiling pole, external antenna, hard hat, safety jacket,