WLAN Budgets and Deployments Are Growing

Enterprise Networks & Servers, Oct 2004

JupiterResearch has released the results of its latest Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) Executive Survey. The report, entitled "Understanding Corporate WLAN Architecture Choices," provides a detailed analysis of how companies make decisions around the purchase and installation of WLAN devices and services.

A key finding of the report is that 84 percent of companies with current deployments have not experienced any security breaches. Nonetheless, security is the top barrier, cited by nearly half of all companies, to deploying WLANs or expanding their deployment.

The report provides a detailed analysis of WLAN deployments by company size and preferred WLAN architecture. "The primary driver behind deployments today is employee demand," said JupiterResearch Research Director Julie Ask. "A majority of companies are also recognizing WLANs as a productivity tool for their employees and a more cost effective alternative to wired networks."

Deployments are growing in size, but companies are not, for the most part, willing to go completely wireless. Just 6 percent of mid/large-size companies with current deployments have 90 percent or more of their employees on a WLAN; 22 percent of mid/large-size companies expect to offer such broad wireless access to employees in 2005.

"Budgets are also increasing," added Ask. The percentage of companies spending more than $10,000 annually will grow from 26 percent in 2003 to 35 percent in 2004. Not only are smaller companies spending more, but also as the industry matures, larger entities are beginning to trial and buy large-scale deployments.

For additional information on JupiterResearch's Wi-Fi Mobility service go to www.jupiterresearch.com.