To access the contents, click the chapter and section titles.
Wireless Networking Handbook
(Publisher: Macmillan Computer Publishing)
Author(s): Jim Geier
ISBN: 156205631x
Publication Date: 09/01/96
CHAPTER 7 Analyzing the Feasibility of a Wireless Network
Implementing a wireless system is generally a costly event. You need to perform a thorough site survey, purchase and install wireless adapters and access points, and possibly procure and install other elements, such as portable computers, hand-held terminals, cabling, and servers. A feasibility study helps organizations decide whether to proceed with the project based on the costs associated with these components and the expected benefits of deploying the system. Before an organization will allocate funding for a project, the executives will want to know what return on investment (ROI) to expect within a particular amount of time. Most companies will not invest a large amount of money, such as $100,000 or more, to deploy a wireless system without the assurance that gains in productivity will pay for the system. Executives should consider the following key factors when making this decision:
- Costs (including hidden costs)
- Savings
- Learning curves
- Effects on existing systems
Humans are notorious for adapting to change very slowly, or not at all. For instance, there are many benefits in replacing paper-based record systems, such as those used in hospitals and warehouses, with hand-held wireless devices that provide an electronic means of storing and retrieving information from a centralized database. Most people cant make this type of change very quickly. Therefore, executives will need to understand how much time and training the current staff might need before realizing the benefits of the wireless system. Systems managers should be concerned with how the new system will affect the operations and cost of the existing systems. They will ask questions such as: Will there need to be additional system administrators? Will there be any additional hardware or software maintenance costs?
This chapter addresses the following steps necessary to analyze the feasibility of a wireless network:
- Performing a preliminary design
- Building a business case
- Deciding whether to implement
Performing a Preliminary Design
To figure costs for a project, you need to perform a preliminary design to identify the major system components. The preliminary design provides a high level description of the network, at least enough detail to approximate the cost of implementing and supporting the system. For the preliminary design, you do not need to determine the exact number of connectors and types of network interface cardsyou primarily need to decide which technologies to use, such as ethernet versus radio-LAN, and estimate the total cost based on general costs. Later stages of the design phase will further define the components and configurations necessary to implement the system.
NOTE: Refer to Chapter 8, Designing a Wireless Network, to learn how to accomplish a preliminary design and define the technologies and major components your system will utilize.
Building a Business Case
As shown in figure 7.1, building a business case involves conducting a feasibility study to document the costs and savings of implementing a particular system, as well as offer a recommendation on which direction to proceed. To define costs and savings, you will have to bound the business case; that is, base it on a specific operating time period. Generally, this operating period is the life expectancy of the system. Most organizations are satisfied with a two to three year recovery of benefits on network purchases. Predicting costs and benefits beyond three years can lead to significant margins of error because technologies rapidly change, and most business plans are fairly unstable beyond two years.
Figure 7.1 Elements of a business case.
Executive Overview: Provides a concise overview of the business case.
Project Scope: Defines the resulting wireless system, assumptions, and constraints.
Costs: Details all costs necessary to implement and support the new system.
Savings: Identifies the savings resulting from the deployment and operation of the new system.
Return on Investment (ROI): Describes the difference between the costs and savings of deploying the new system. The ROI is the main factor for basing the decision to proceed with the project.
Risks: Identify the issues that may cause the project to be unsuccessful.
In summary, when developing a business case, you should perform these activities:
- Recognize applicable feasibility elements
- Identify costs
- Identify savings
- Decide whether to proceed
|