First, What Is Wi-Fi 7?
Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) is the latest Wi-Fi standard set by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). It will work on three wireless bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz). Compared to its predecessor, Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 7 will be faster, support more devices, reduce latency, and be more adaptive.
Faster Speed with New 6GHz Band and 4K QAM
Wi-Fi 7 operates on three wireless bands: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz, with the new 6 GHz band having a wider width of 320MHz for transmitting more data at once. Additionally, Wi-Fi 7 improves the QAM capacity of each signal by upgrading from 1K 10bits to 4K 12bits, resulting in a 20% increase in speed.
Increased Device Capacity with 16×16 MU-MIMO and Multi-RU
MU-MIMO (Multi-User Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) is a technology that uses antennas to provide services to multiple devices simultaneously. With Wi-Fi 7, MU-MIMO has 16×16 data lanes, allowing communication with up to 16 devices on every stream. This leads to higher throughput rates, reduced network congestion and delay, and broader Wi-Fi coverage compared to Wi-Fi 6.
Ultra Low Latency with MLO
Wi-Fi 7 will introduce multi-link operation (MLO) options that allow devices to connect simultaneously on different bands. This means your data will have more bands to travel simultaneously, resulting in a quicker and more stable connection with low latency.
How Wi-Fi 7 Impacts Retail Small Business
The advent of WiFi-7 redefined small retail businesses, transforming them into digital efficiency hubs. It brought futuristic shopping experiences to life through AR, VR, and AIOT and catalyzed seamless transactions with cloud-based POS systems.
Streamlining the Success of Ultra-Fast and More Reliable Connections
Retail businesses need an efficient and effective management software system to manage daily operations and sales in today’s market. As the demand for seamless and streamlined operations grows, moving your retail management system from on-premises to the cloud to stay competitive and employ technology that will give you an edge tomorrow.
Wi-Fi 7’s increased speeds can enhance the overall performance of the network. This can improve productivity, mainly when dealing with bandwidth-intensive tasks like online transactions (POS), video streaming, e-commerce, or cloud-based applications like ERP or CRM. Regarding customer experience, Wi-Fi 7 enables futuristic shopping experiences through augmented reality. Adapting to Wi-Fi 7 will future-proof the business.
Redefining Retail Connectivity Support for Higher-Density
Driven by the adoption of IoT and the increasing number of wireless devices, retail business can be a high-density environment. Massive Wi-Fi signals can interfere with each other as they share the same channel or cross over on separate channels, creating connection issues for both employees and customers.
With improved capacity, Wi-Fi 7 can handle a more significant number of devices simultaneously. In a retail setting where multiple customers and employees connect to the Wi-Fi network, this can ensure a reliable connection for everyone, even during peak hours. It reduces congestion and minimizes performance degradation caused by overcrowded networks.
Fortifying Cybersecurity Secures Transactions and Data Protection
Wi-Fi 7 has evolved to provide more advanced security measures and will adopt the upcoming WPA4 network security encryption standard when it becomes available. Retail businesses should use these advanced security protocols and other security measurements to provide a more secure environment for online transactions and customer data from potential cyber threats.
What More to Considerate Implement Wi-Fi 7 Solution for Retail Small Business
In addition to its features, there are several factors that retail business owners must consider before implementing a Wi-Fi 7 solution.
Staying Agile for Scalability in Growth and Adaptation
Choosing a solution that provides scalability is crucial for future growth and quick adjustment for peak seasons. This lays the foundation for accommodating changing business requirements. A scalable solution allows businesses to integrate new applications, services, and features seamlessly, enabling them to stay ahead of the competition.
Optimizing IT Operations for Your Business
When selecting a solution, consider the size of your company and IT operations. Cloud-managed solutions are often favored due to their ease of deployment, automatic updates, and remote accessibility. This reduces the need for staffing and frees up your time to focus on the core business.
Check this whitebook for more infomation on the benefit of cloud-managed solution.
Budget and Strategic Spending
It is essential to consider the long-term benefits of investing in a high-quality network solution. However, maintenance, operational costs, and management license fees should be noticed, as these expenses can quickly add up.
To make an informed decision, compare pricing plans from providers that offer the necessary features and reliability to meet your business needs.
