Aquila Pro AI AX3000 review

We rely so heavily on Wi-Fi today that we expect to have it and that it works where we need it. Indeed, the most common internet issue is not the NBN connection but rather issues caused by your Wi-Fi router. Most people feel very comfortable with their PC, but if I asked you to adjust the settings on your router, I am sure to get a confused look. Let’s face it: we just want Wi-Fi to work. We review the D-Link AQUILA PRO AI AX3000 to see if it fits the bill.

Why do I need a Wi-Fi router?

Your NBN retailer provides an internet feed into your house as a single ethernet port. To create a Wi-FI network, you need a Wi-Fi router. A Wi-Fi router that your NBN retailer may have provided you takes the internet connection via ethernet and allows many people within your home or business to access the internet via ethernet or Wi-Fi connection.

Ethernet cable

The router part of the equation is like a big power board that splits the internet for more than one user but with intelligence, so each additional connection is a measured and controllable addition.

Also, see our previous article on how to improve your Wi-Fi.
Most routers NBN retailers provide low-end models that are unlikely to provide good coverage in larger homes.

How can I get more out of my Wi-Fi router?

The good news is most Wi-Fi routers are almost plug-and-play out of the box. You will need to confirm the Router SSID name (Wi-Fi network name) and password, as well as the router admin password. You can leave these as default, or a handy hint is if you are upgrading from an older router, use the original SSID and password. This means all your connected devices will continue working without reconnecting to your new Wi-fI router.

Beyond the initial setup, if you are technically inclined, you could adjust settings to get better results from your router. These include:

  • Changing the channel used. In high-density housing, many routers might end up using the same channels. Changing to a less-used channel will improve performance. The AX3000 will automatically do this for you.
  • Smart TVs and game controllers will work better if you connect them directly to the router with an ethernet cable rather than Wi-Fi. The AX3000 has 4 available ethernet ports.
  • Parental controls enable parents (administrator) to restrict usage of a device access device. On the AX3000, this can be a time of day when the internet is unavailable or blocking access to certain websites. A manual button allows the internet to be switched off for a device.
  • Quality of Service or client priority allows devices to be given priority over other devices. You could prioritise the main TV or someone’s laptop to ensure the best Zoom calls.
  • Guest Wi-Fi allows you to set up a unique Wi-Fi network for guests to use, ensuring they do not have access to shared resources such as shared drives and printers on your primary network.

What are the D-Link AQUILA PRO AI AX3000 features?

The D-Link Aquila Pro AI AX3000 is a Wi-Fi 6 router that promises to blanket your home with fast, reliable internet. Here’s what makes it stand out:

Super Speeds: Say goodbye to lag and buffering! This router boasts speeds up to 3Gbps, thanks to its Wi-Fi 6 technology and extra antenna on the 5GHz band. Stream, game, and video chat without a hitch, even with connected devices.

No Wi-Fi Dead Zones: Tired of weak signals in certain rooms? The Aquila AX3000 has you covered. Its clever antenna design and AI tech deliver strong, consistent Wi-Fi throughout your home, no matter where you are.

Smart Network, Smarter Life: This router isn’t just fast; it’s also brainy. AI helps optimise your network, automatically choosing the best channel to avoid interference and prioritising your bandwidth for the activities you need most, like that important video call.

Future-proof Technology: Wi-Fi 6 is the latest and greatest Wi-Fi standard, so you can rest assured your router won’t be outdated anytime soon. It’s also backwards compatible with older devices, so you don’t have to worry about upgrading everything else.

Mesh Wi-Fi: Want even wider coverage? Add more Aquila AX3000 units to create a mesh Wi-Fi system that seamlessly blankets your entire home.

Security Matters: Keep your network safe with advanced security features like parental controls and WPA3 encryption.

Eco-Friendly Choice: Feel good about purchasing a router made from recycled materials and sustainable packaging.

Using the AQUILA Pro M30-2PK

The first thing you notice when you open the box is the unique shape of the router. The device looks more like an ornament than an electronic device, which is ideal, especially when you don’t want to hide these away to ensure the best coverage.

We tested the M30-2PK, which is a 2-pack Mesh router. Traditionally, you have a router and a satellite with a Mesh router system. In the case of the D-Link, both units can be either, which removes any confusion as to which device needs to be connected to the NBN modem.

To explain a Mesh router: Imagine your Wi-Fi signal as a flashlight beam. Like a standard flashlight, a traditional router shines brightly in one direction, but the corners of the room stay dark. That happens when your Wi-Fi signal struggles to reach certain areas of your home, like that room furthest from the router.

A mesh router system is like having multiple flashlights strategically placed around the room. Each unit (called a node) works together to create a blanket of Wi-Fi, eliminating those dark corners and ensuring a strong, consistent signal everywhere you go, all using the same SSID.

At the start of this review, we talked about wanting a router that worked well out of the box. To extend that, we also want an affordable router, and at $400, the Aquila 2-pack mesh system is affordable to ensure that the NBN speed you pay for gets all around your house. I have a 2 story house, and the 2 pack adequately covered our Wi-Fi needs. D-Link quotes the 2-pack covering 465 square metres and the 3-pack ($550) covering up to 650 metres.

Setting up the Aquila was simple, using the downloadable App and your smartphone. Once you open the App, you are offered a user-friendly menu of options. D-Link has been clever in using AI in the background to modify settings automatically to optimise performance, so you don’t have to worry about the more technical settings.

What you can access allows you to switch on a Guest network, Client Priority and Parental control.

We especially liked the parental control settings as they were easy to follow and included. Many other vendors have very complicated settings or charge you extra for parental control.

A feature we did not think we would use but is there is Voice control. This allows your router to be paired with Google Home or Amazon Alexa smart homes so you can talk to your router. E.g. “turn off guest network”

We did a range test and found that the Aquila was within a metre or two of a Mesh Router package from another vendor that cost more than 3 times the price. As for speed, the capabilities exceed any NBN speed that can be subscribed to, so your internet plan is more likely to be your limiting factor.

Who is a D-Link Aquila PRO AI AX3000 for?

Overall, the D-Link Aquila AX3000 is a powerful Wi-Fi 6 router perfect for homes and small businesses with multiple devices that need speed and reliable coverage. Its smart features and eco-conscious design make it an even more attractive option. It looks good, works well and is simple to operate, but let’s face it, once you set it up, you may not touch it again for years, and this router meets the bill.

Wireless Security Camera buying guide

As a small business owner, you watch over your business carefully. You ensure process is working, you count the money etc. However, do you actually watch over your business literally when you are not there?  In this wireless security camera buying guide, we will look at why you would install one, what you need to know and how to make a buying decision.

A wireless security camera is a surveillance camera that can capture video images and transmit those images with no wires back to a recording devise either on premise or to the cloud. A power cable or battery will be required to provide electricity.

WHY should you consider a surveillance camera?

The ability to watch what is going on remotely within your business means you are always in the know.

Once you may have installed a burglar alarm to protect your business or home, a security camera can do so much more.

Benefits of installing a wireless security camera:

Deterring crime– A thief does not want to be caught on video

Video proof – If an incident does occur, footage can be reviewed, and police can use images

Check up on the business remotely – Is the store busy at the moment

Employee safety– Watch and review staff member behaviour to ensure safety procedures are being followed.

Insurance claims – Camera footage can validate a claim, or the camera may lead to a discount

Notification – Be alerted a customer has entered your showroom

Progress or conditions – What is the weather or progress on a building site.

WHAT do you need to know about wireless security cameras?

There are wireless and wired camera solutions. A wireless camera solution uses a wireless network solution such as your Wi-Fi network to transport the video. A wireless camera may also have a battery enabling it to be completely wireless. A wired camera will require you to install cables running from a central recording box as well as power cables.

A wireless camera will record vision once motion is detected.

Advantages of wireless over wired camera
  • No cables need to be run back to a central recorder
  • Video surveillance can be stored in the cloud. This means images can be easily accessed from anywhere, and even if thieves remove the camera, images are preserved.
  • Installation is simpler, and a completely wireless solution may give you additional placement options to increase visibility.
  • Cables cannot be cut.
  • DIY solution. An electrician or tradesman is unlikely to be required.

Disadvantages include possible limits to live viewing and maximum resolution.

Wireless Cameras come in 3 forms:
  1. Battery operated mobile networked cameras – This product can be placed anywhere with mobile phone reception and will run until its battery runs out. The video vision is transmitted back to the cloud via mobile data.  Perfect for surveillance of a building site with no internet or power.
  2. Battery operated Wi-Fi Cameras – This is the most common type of camera which will use W-Fi to communicate back to the cloud or a base station and a battery to power the unit. This solution is truly wireless.
  3. Mains connected Wi-Fi cameras – Mains power is required, but the video signal is transferred via Wi-Fi. With a power point likely to be close by, this type of camera will allow continuous recording, which requires more electricity.

An optional Solar panel may be available to power and battery-operated charge cameras, potentially removing the need to remove the camera for mains recharging.

Wi-Fi coverage needs to be good – If you mount a camera outdoors, chances are the Wi-Fi coverage will be poor. Wireless cameras need good coverage to work properly. Wi-Fi congestion can also be an issue. Video uses a lot of bandwidth. If there is a lot of other internet traffic, the transfer of video may be interrupted. Some vendors use a dedicated Wi-Fi network to transfer the footage, but most use your shared Wi-Fi network. Most cameras will also have an SD card slot where a storage card can be inserted. This allows for local storage of images and acts as a backup if cloud storage is interrupted or not used.

All wireless cameras will be supported by a free smartphone app. This App will enable you to receive alerts, live view and watch historical recordings. The App will also allow you to customise camera settings.  Depending on features, you can also trigger alarms, turn on a spotlight and engage in a 2-way conversation.

Cloud storage enables recorded footage to be stored off-site and accessed from anywhere.  Vendor-specific, this may be free, or a fee may apply.

HOW do I use and choose a wireless security camera?

Wireless camera setup

The setup of a wireless camera is very much a DIY exercise:

  1. Connect the camera to power with the supplied USB cable. For battery models, this will charge the battery.
  2. Download the App for your smartphone.
  3. Open the App and follow the instructions.
  4. Select suitable locations for your camera, considering whether the camera can capture what you want to record and the Wi-Fi signal is strong enough.
  5. Use the App to customise settings (such as alerts) and enable cloud recording if applicable.
  6. Familiarise yourself with playback settings and how you can view live video versus recorded video.

Features you should consider when buying a wired security camera:

Outdoor or indoor– If the camera is located outside, it will need to be weatherproof|
Wi-Fi vs Mobile of 4G cameras – as discussed above
Camera types – beyond the power choice options (battery or mains power), cameras can be bought as a fixed direction or a pan & tilt model. The fixed version view can only be changed manually versus a pan and tilt model that can be rotated to change the view remotely. Some cameras will offer optical zoom, which will provide an enlarged picture without deteriorating resolution.
Battery – On battery models, what is the expected operating time between recharges
Resolution of the camera
 – The higher the resolution, the better the quality of the picture and the greater ability to zoom in digitally to see details such as faces and number plates. You can choose between Standard Definition (SD), High definition (Full HD) or Ultra High Definition (UHD or 4K). Each resolution jump is 4 x the number of pixels or dots.
Viewing angle of the camera – This refers to the field of vision of a camera. The larger the number represented in degrees means the camera will record a wider view in tight locations. A camera with a 90-degree viewing angle would see everything 45 degrees left and right from the centre.
Low light – Also referred to as night vision, is the cameras ability to see in the dark.  Most modern cameras will support this but look for the distance from the camera it will see. E.g. 10m.
Technology to stop false alerts – Normally based on measuring a heat source in the camera view, this technology is critical in reducing false alerts, especially on a windy night with moving vegetation. Alerts can also be programmed only to occur at certain times, like outside business hours.
Mounting kits – A magnetic mount will allow easy removal for recharging. Mounting straps allow easy installation on tree branches or poles.
Other –  various other features may be attractive to you like Siren, strobe, 2-way audio or a spotlight
Remote functionality of an App – A smartphone app will allow you to receive security alerts as well as provide live views from anywhere with internet coverage.  This can potentially remove the need for expensive security monitoring with you having the ability to review and call the police if necessary. The App will also notify you of low batteries. Multiple people can be given access to share the responsibility.
Storage – Camera’s or base stations will support an SD card to record vision on-premise. In addition, cloud backup is available from most vendors on various pay per use plans (some free).
Solar Panel
– Is it available for your model, and can it be installed to orientate to the north?
Solution price and bundle options – Once you choose a brand, you will have to stay with that brand unless you start again.  Price will increase with functionality, and we do recommend you go with a known brand.  Once you know the number of cameras you need, you may buy a bundle to suit. Different compatible camera types can be purchased and added separately, assuming you have available channels.

HINTS

Once you commit to a specific brand of cameras, you cannot mix and match different brands of cameras as they will not work on the same smartphone App.  You must either start again with a new vendor or run multiple Apps.

Use the QR code to easily find the right App.

Handy features include the ability to mask a section so no video is recorded or no motion alerts triggered within a specific part of the field of view.

Are Wired security camera buying guide can be found here.

SUMMARY – Wireless Security Camera

A wireless security camera allows you to keep an eye on your business 24/7. The system can act as a burglar alarm, evidence of an event or even safety monitoring. The available solutions are simple to install yourself and can be located anywhere you have a Wi-Fi signal. Via a smartphone App you can receive movement alerts and also view cameras in real-time.  This access can be shared with others.

A configurable solution allows you to mix and match different cameras to suit your requirements, including totally wireless products that use the sun for power and the Mobile phone network.

Wireless security cameras can be purchased directly from vendors or from office supply, hardware and electrical retailers.

Printer – which one for a small office?

After buying a computer for your business, probably the next thing you will buy is a printer.  A printer can be bought for as little as $35 but is unlikely to meet your needs.  Maybe you have had a printer before and you just don’t know what you should consider next. This guide will help you understand your options and help you make your decision.

A printer is a machine that will recreate an image or text from a computer, usually on paper.

WHY do I need a printer?

You will need a printer if you want to reproduce a document or print an invoice or maybe even produce a brochure or photograph.

Yes, you will need a printer but really the question is do you need a colour printer?

If you plan to print or photocopy a lot it may be worth considering a Photocopier.  See our essential guide on photocopiers.

WHAT type of printers are there?

The first thing you need to know is that there are mono (black and white) printers or colour printers. 

  • A mono printer will allow you to print in shades of black and white. They can be cheaper and possibly smaller.
  • A colour printer will also print in mono if you wish it to but any printing in colour can use up to 50% more ink than mono driving up the cost per page.
There are 2 dominant printing technologies:
  • Inkjet
    • Advantage
      • Cost less
      • Better photo-quality printing
      • Smaller in size
      • More versatility
    • Disadvantages
      • Ink costs more (cartridge not ink tanks)
      • More cleaning required
  • Laser
    • Advantages
      • Better suited for larger print volumes
      • Unlike inkjet, it does not use print heads which can clog
      • Faster printing
      • Less maintenance
    • Disadvantages
      • No photo printing only standard paper
      • Colour quality can be lower
      • Tend to use more electricity
Is a printer just a printer? No, it can be more and will be cheaper than buying separate devices:
  • Single function or Standard is just a printer
  • Multi-function or all-in-one is a printer, scanner, and copier.  Some models may even allow you to send a fax. They are typically more expensive.
Share a printer

You can connect a printer directly to your PC but if you will share with others you can do one of the following if the printer supports it: (Be sure to see our essential network guide)

  • Wi-Fi – connected by Wi-Fi to a wireless router
  • Ethernet – connect by ethernet to a router
  • Smartphone – you can print from your phone via Apple Airprint  or Google cloudprint
  • Memory card – physically insert a USB stick or memory card containing the documents you want printed
If your business has a requirement there are specialist printers including:
  • Large format printers – prints on very large rolls of paper to produce CAD drawings or posters
  • 3D printers – uses plastic to create 3D models
  • Photo printers – designed especially to produce high volume quality photos

HOW should you choose a printer?

This will be based on your expected needs and you should consider:

Cost of ownership – This is represented as a cost per page.  Most vendors (manufacturers) will quote a price, which will enable you to compare models.

Cost of ink – the cost of ink and toner will be most likely be more than the cost of buying the printer so it is key to making a wise decision.  A cheap one is most likely to have the most expensive ink. Ink Jet printers with ink tanks have changed the equation with reasonably priced ink bottles that can refill an ink tank. The counter to this is the ink tank style printers are more expensive upfront to purchase.

Quality of printing – An indication of quality is a measurement called DPI or Dots per Inch. This allows documents to be printed with a very fine resolution.

Speed – If all you print is 1 to 2-page documents speed is not really a concern. If you print large documents then speed is important and you should probably consider a laser printer. Note that speed does depend on the type of document you print with a text document being faster than a full-page colour picture.

How much you print – each printer will have a monthly duty cycle which refers to how many pages a month a printer is designed to print.  This is not speed but a measure of how long the printer will last based on the volume it prints a month.

Paper size – A4 paper size is the standard in Australia for printing.  If you need to vary from this the cost of the printer will go up.  The next most common sizes are A3 which is 2 x A4 and A2 which is half A4.

Manual feed – makes it easy to print envelopes or letterhead

Tray size – This tray holds the blank paper.  The more you print the larger tray you should have.  Multiple trays allow different size papers or letterheads to be loaded to save a time consuming manual feed.

Multifunction – Great to have if you need to scan or print as discussed above.

OCR – Optical Character Recognition. A neat function that allows a document to be scanned and turned into a text document that can be edited.

Network – Make sure your model choice will connect to your network if you have one.

Service and Support – Most printers do not get repaired unless you have an expensive one.  However, support is important and the vendors’ commitment to supporting printer firmware (software) and its compatibility with PC software changes.  It is not unheard of for a printer to stop working until a vendor releases new firmware.

HINTS

In your print properties (setting from the print pop up box) you can select toner saver or draft, this will reduce the quality of the print but save you money on ink or toner.

Printing double-sided or duplex will not only save you paper but save on storage if you are printing a document to file.

Look for a solution with either an ink tank for inkjet or high yield toner for laser printers which will reduce your printing costs per page.

Small Business Answers has recently trialled the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 which use 6 colour inks compared to the standard 4 colours. The six inks mean higher quality photos can be printed with a more accurate colour range. One set of ink bottles can print up to 2,300 high-quality photos or 6,700 pages in black and white or 6,200 pages at a lower cost per page. We found the photo quality to be excellent whilst also being able to do your normal office printing. Assuming you want to print photos and your printing volume is not enormous this is an excellent choice. The unit does not have a large paper feeder which would limit you if you print high volumes.

SUMMARY – Quality Printer

A printer is a necessary tool for small businesses. A cheap one may cost you more because of ink. Consider a quality brand that is designed to handle the volume of printing you plan to do allowing for growth.  Colour and multifunction will increase the price but give you more flexibility.

Our sister publication GadgetGuy has reviews on suitable entry-level printers.

Wired security camera for 24/7 surveillance

Wired security cameras have been around for a very long time. Once, they were only for those with deep pockets and lots of technical know-how. Consumerism has changed everything, and an indoor wireless camera can be purchased at your tech retailer from $50. This guide will look at why you would use video surveillance, what you need to know and how to make your purchase decision.

A wired security camera system is one that not only has a physical cable connection but also a recording devise onsite. There will be one or more cameras and the system can be connected to the internet to review remotely.

WHY should you consider a security camera?

 To secure your business or home business where once you may have installed a burglar alarm, security cameras will do this and more.

Benefits of a wired security camera
  1. Deterring crime- A thief does not want to be caught on video
  2. Video proof – If an incident does occur, footage can be reviewed, and police can use images
  3. Check up on the business remotely – Is the store busy at the moment
  4. Employee safety- Watch and review staff member behaviour to ensure safety procedures are being followed.
  5. Insurance claims – Camera footage can validate a claim, or the camera may lead to a discount
  6. 24/7 recording – A mains power supply and onsite large storage device means all cameras can record all the time, providing you with a complete record.
  7. Realtime large-screen viewing of camera footage. Onsite you can have a large monitor versus a small smartphone screen.

WHAT security camera technology do I need to understand?

There are wireless and wired camera solutions. A wireless camera solution uses a wireless network solution such as your Wi-Fi network to transport the video. A wireless camera may also have a battery enabling it to be completely wireless.

Advantages of a wired camera over wireless
  • No batteries to keep charged
  • No monthly fees for cloud storage are required as you have your own onsite storage
  • Higher quality and  more reliable video versus using Wi-Fi to transport
  • Cables are less likely to be hacked versus a Wi-Fi signal
  • A cable length can reach far further than a wireless (Wi-Fi) signal

Disadvantages include installing the cable and power outages (blackouts).

There are two types of modern wired security camera systems. A DVR (Digital Video Recorder) requires an analogue coaxial video cable and a power cable. The newer NVR (Networked Video Recorder) systems use a single ethernet cable to power the camera and carry a digital video signal. Both DVRs and NVRs can connect to the internet via an ethernet cable. NVRs have the latest technology and are capable of recording at a higher video quality. NVRs also incorporate features found in wireless camera solutions, such as two-way talk and smart detection. An NVR with its extra features will be more expensive than a DVR.

HOW do I use and choose a wired security camera?

NVR/DVR setup

The setup of a wired surveillance system is very simple, except for running cables.

  1. Select a location for the video recorder box (DVR/NVR) that has power and can accommodate a TV or monitor with an HDMI cable. For remote monitoring, you will also need internet access.
  2. Select suitable locations for your camera, considering whether the camera can capture what you want to record.
  3. Run the cables between the cameras and the video recorder. You may need longer cables or extensions and the assistance of an electrician. Consider the aesthetics and the vulnerability of an exposed cable being cut.
  4. Connect your monitor via HDMI cable and the mouse to the DVR/NVR.
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to customise settings (such as alerts) and enable remote viewing from a smartphone app.
  6. Familiarise yourself with recording settings and how you can playback live video as well as recorded video.
Features you should consider when buying a wired security camera:

Outdoor or indoor– If the camera is located outside, it will need to be weatherproof
Camera types – There are two common types of cameras – Dome and Bullet. Both can be mounted in most locations. Bullet are normally better for long-range video, whilst dome tends to have a wider viewing angle and are suited to shorter distances.  Optical zoom and pan and tilt functionality which is more expensive, will give you better live viewing options.
Resolution of the camera – The higher the resolution, the better the quality of the picture and the greater ability to zoom in digitally to see details such as faces and number plates. You can choose between Standard Definition (SD), High definition (Full HD) or Ultra High Definition (UHD or 4K). Each resolution jump is 4 x the number of pixels or dots.
Viewing angle of the camera – This refers to the field of vision of a camera. The larger the number represented in degrees means the camera will record a wider view in tight locations. A camera with a 90-degree viewing angle would see everything 45 degrees left and right from the centre.
Low light – Also referred to as night vision, is the cameras ability to see in the dark.  Most modern cameras will support this but look for the distance from the camera it will see. E.g. 10m
Wireless camera’s – Some fixed camera solutions will also allow wireless cameras to be included and recorded. This has some disadvantages, as discussed above but has a massive installation advantage.
Technology to stop false alerts – Normally based on measuring a heat source in the camera view, this technology is critical in reducing false alerts, especially on a windy night with moving vegetation. Alerts can also be programmed only to occur at certain times, like outside business hours.
Other –  various other features may be attractive to you like Siren, strobe, 2-way audio or a spotlight
DVR or NVR – As discussed above
Channels – This expressed as 4 channel DVR means you can connect a maximum of 4 cameras. Ensure you buy a DVR/NVR with enough channels for the cameras you require and also consider any future expansion requirements
Hard drive – The DVR/NVR has an internal hard drive where all the video is stored. The larger the hard drive, the more video can be recorded, often also references as hours or days of recording. Note a higher resolution camera will require more hard drive space to record the same time frame of footage
User interface of recorder (DVR/NVR) – A brochure or the marketing on a box can make a product sound very attractive. However, nothing beats doing some research to see how the user interface works and is it simple to use and will it meet your needs? Research on YouTube may prove to be useful. Display options can include rotating single images, multiple cameras at once, and 4 or 9 camera views. More advanced will be a larger image with small pictures to one side.
Remote functionality of an App – A smartphone app will allow you to receive security alerts as well as provide live views from anywhere with internet coverage.  This can potentially remove the need for expensive security monitoring with you having the ability to review and call the police if necessary. Multiple people can be given access to share the responsibility.
Solution price and bundle options – Once you choose a brand, you will have to stay with that brand unless you start again.  Price will increase with functionality, and we do recommend you go with a known brand.  Once you know the number of cameras you need, you may buy a bundle to suit. Different compatible camera types can be purchased and added separately, assuming you have available channels.

HINTS

Some wired cameras will operate independently with an internet ethernet cable and no NVR. An SD card installed in the camera will capture images, as can a cloud-based backup.

As a point of comparison, we have reviewed a DVR and NVR from two well-known brands:

Swann Enforcer Security System 4 channel DVR. This Ful HD analogue recorder comes with 4 cameras and a 1TB hard drive. That 1TB drive is quoted as being able to store up to 6 months of surveillance videos giving you plenty of time to go back to review footage. The weatherproof cameras have a 90-degree viewing angle and can see 10m into the dark. By using the Swann Security app, users can access live and recorded footage from multiple Swann cameras (from wired systems to Wi-Fi standalone cameras to doorbell) and receive alerts when activity is detected. We really like the feature that the cameras have a built-in spotlight and police like red and blue flashing lights that can be activated. This is a great all in one package for a simple surveillance setup.  https://www.swann.com/au/swdvk-446804sl $599.95. Swann has a range of other models including NVR capable of supporting 8 cameras.

Guardian App Cam 4KNVR8 8 channel NVR. This is a 4K digital recorder with a 2TB hard drive. It does not come with any cameras; instead, you can add up to 8 fixed or wireless cameras. When used with the App Cam solo smartphone/tablet app, you can do two-way audio and receive alerts if a vehicle or person enters the field of view.  https://uniden.com.au/product/guardian-app-cam-4knvr8/  $499.95
The recommended cameras are available in both a bullet or dome and have 87-degree viewing angles and up to 30m night vision. They are weatherproof and include both a speaker and microphone, allowing you to communicate with someone at the camera. https://uniden.com.au/product/guardian-app-cam-4k-bullet/ $249.95 https://uniden.com.au/product/guardian-app-cam-4k-dome/ $249.95

Alternative cameras must be mains connected and include the Guardian App Cam Home, which is wireless for the video signal. This indoors camera can pan and tilt as well as supporting a real-time conversation with two-way audio. https://uniden.com.au/product/guardian-app-cam-home/ $129.95.  The Guardian App Cam Spotlight + is also wireless for the video signal. This outdoor camera includes a spotlight that will illuminate when triggered, being a great deterrent to intruders. https://uniden.com.au/product/guardian-app-cam-spotlight-plus/#1493714178990-db34738f-658e $179.95

We like this NVR solution as you have the flexibility to pick the right camera, including wireless or fixed as well as supporting audio.

SUMMARY – Wired security systems

A wired security camera allows you to have movement alerts high-quality video recordings of activity at your business 24/7. The system can act as a burglar alarm, evidence of an event or even safety monitoring. Some solutions allow integration with a wireless camera. Still, fixed are likely to be of higher quality video and more reliable.  Via a smartphone app you can receive movement alerts and also view cameras in real-time.  This access can be shared with others.

An out of the box solution does not require professional installation, although you may need help running cables.  A configurable solution allows you to mix and match different cameras to suit your exact requirements. 

Wired security cameras can be purchased directly or from office supply and electrical retailers.

Customer Wi-Fi network

If you own a restaurant or café or have suppliers or customers visiting your premises, you have probably considered offering a customer Wi-Fi network.  Is it expensive? How hard is it to do?  This guide will explore why you should have a guest Wi-Fi network and how easy it is to offer and ensure you secure all your data from your guests.

A customer or guest Wi-Fi network is a separately named network (or SSID) from your Wi-Fi router. This guest network will provide access to the internet but not to allow connection to any other devises on your network.

WHY should you offer a guest network?

As the price of Mobile data (internet from your mobile phone carrier) continues to fall, you could conclude that your customers could just as easily use their own data.

Reasons to offer a guest network:

Limited smartphone coverage. Customers can still access the internet if there is poor mobile phone reception.
Encourage people to use their laptops.  It is potentially easier to connect to a permanent Wi-Fi network than to switch on a Wi-Fi hotspot from their phone. Thus, mobile workers may come to your café to work and spend money on a coffee or lunch.
Customer service. Having a supplier or customer regularly visit you is an advantage. Thus, making it easy for them to work from your premises will facilitate this.
More reliable internet connection. Many factors are at play when using a mobile data connection to the internet. Wi-Fi from a high speed fixed NBN connection can be more reliable.
Means to gather customer data. When logging onto a Guest Wi-Fi network, you can request customer contact data and ask permission to communicate with them.  This allows you to build a database of customers to which you can market too.
Customised splash page – When a customer connects to your network, it is possible to display a customised page. Here you can promote your brand, make offers and reassure customers they are on a secure network.
“Free Wi-Fi”. People still feel they are getting something for free.

WHAT do I need to understand about a customer Wi-Fi network?

Each Wi-Fi base station (or effectively an antenna) has a range of between 20 to 40m line of sight. This range will dimmish with each solid item the signal must pass through, like a wall, window, chair, table etc. There is a limit to how many devices Wi-Fi can connect at once based on the number of channels and antenna’s the base station offers. A standard router will support around 30 devices. A device is anything that connects, whether a customer’s smartphone, laptop or your POS cash register.

To add more coverage and more devices, you can add a 2nd or more base stations. Your first base station must be a Wi-Fi router that acts as a policeman. Each subsequent base station offers a new Wi-Fi signal extending the range and the number of devices supported.

These additional base stations are known as Wi-Fi Extenders. Suppose your guest network extends over more than one base station. In that case, you will have different network names for your customers to connect to the network. This can be overcome with a mesh network that seamlessly roams between base stations using the same network name (SSID). A mesh network will provide a more stable and faster internet speed for users.

A Guest Wi-Fi network is a way to offer your customers easy access to the internet without also giving them access to your LAN, computers, printers, cameras etc. You do not want anyone gaining access to your accounts or using your printer for free. This means your customers will be securely partitioned from your business or home network.

Let us assume you are running a restaurant and 30 of under 16 netball competition turn up for dinner. Your guest network suddenly becomes very popular.  Let us also believe that you have a POS ordering system running off Wi-Fi tablets, Wi-Fi printers in the kitchen, A Wi-Fi cloud-based cash register and your children out the back being entertained by a Netflix movie. If everyone can access bandwidth, chances are your staff will have trouble getting internet access to take the food orders.

This can be overcome by restricting the bandwidth on the guest network.  Better still, if you could set up different networks (SSID) such as one for customers (guests), one for the staff POS tablets, one for the back office and one for staff’s personal use, this would be ideal.  Then having the ability to adjust bandwidth between each network allows you to ensure your business is always running as it should.  A home-based Wi-Fi router is unlikely to have more than two SSID’s that you can set up.  A business-based router solution will enable you to have multiple SSID’s.

HOW do I choose and set up the right Wi-Fi router?

A simple guide on purchasing and setting up a router can be found here.

Your customers will want free, fast and easy-to-access Wi-Fi, so you should consider this when making your purchase decision and setting up.

Choosing a business Wi-Fi router solution:

When making your decision, you should take the following into account.

Look for an internet Wi-Fi router that is specifically designed for small businesses. This will generally mean it will have the capability to handle more devices than home and offer security features to protect your business.

Wi-Fi 6 is the latest version of the Wi-Fi standard that is available.  Although most devices do no support it yet, they will moving forward, so this helps to future proof your network.  Wi-Fi 6 brings several new smarts, including speed, stability and security enhancements.

Triband mesh is a technology that allows a third Wi-Fi channel to provide a dedicated backhaul for a router base station and its satellite base station to communicate.  This ensures there will be no interferes with the satellite extender getting the internet bandwidth it needs.  Mesh technology allows you to have a single network name across your base stations delivering Wi-Fi attached devices a more reliable and quicker connection.

The number of antennas will determine the maximum number of devices that can connect to your Wi-Fi router.  The more employees and the larger the number of devices you attach to a router starts to compete for resources.

Most routers will have an App for your smartphone that will allow some control. Most of you will want set and forget functionality. Still, it is useful to have an App that offers a user-friendly interface to assess current conditions. It is also handy to deny access to a device like an ex-employee’s smartphone from your network without resetting passwords.  Some routers also allow you to prioritise some devices and restrict others, which is especially useful when you prioritise your POS system for ordering or sales.

Having enough internet bandwidth is important for any business. Although not really a buying decision for your router, you should take it into account.  For those businesses with very high-speed requirements such as the transfer of video. You should also ensure your Wi-Fi router can support your internet connection speeds (speeds greater than 1Gbps).

On the rear of a router, you will find several Ethernet ports.  These allow cable connection to your modem (internet into your business) and devices only supporting a wired ethernet connection. Devises such a streaming TV, a fixed connection will deliver better results. Consider how many ethernet ports your router has.  An ethernet switch can always be purchased to add additional ethernet ports to your setup.

Look for a router that will allow a printer or hard drive to be directly plugged into a USB port.  This will give you the option to share a non-network printer and or turn a hard drive into a shared storage devise.

A Wi-Fi router designed for business is normally quite a complicated solution requiring professional setup and selection of components. However, some out-of-the-box solutions are available (we discuss one below) that are easy to set up administer and will meet most small business needs.

Ideally, you want a set and forget network that will not detract from you running your business. Look for a solution that does not require an IT expert to set it up, maintain it, and will send you alerts only when something has gone wrong. Thus you are already fixing an issue before your staff start complaining. E.g. notification that your router has lost internet connection or has been turned off.

The cost of a Wi-Fi router solution will be determined by the quality and the features. Remember that a few extra dollars spent on getting the right product the first time will save you many headaches down the track. A home network Wi-Fi router that supports a guest network can be bought for as little as $200. However, if you expect to professionally support an office or hospitality venue, you should spend $500 to $1500 the first time around.

How to set up a Guest/ customer Wi-Fi network?

Each router will have its specific setup instructions. Once you have connected the Wi-Fi router to the modem and powered up, it will set up a default network. We suggest you make the following adjustments for a business environment that can be completed through a smartphone app or an internet browser on the same network.

Separate employee and customer network names or SSID’s. This allows the quarantining of devices on different networks in your business so customers can never access your business devices, and priority can be given to network and internet resources. E.g. you might want your POS tablets to have unlimited resources but limit your customers to 1 Mbps download speeds.
An ideal situation would be to have a separate network for staff, business and customers.

Passwords. Set up unique passwords for each SSID, ensuring that your customer-facing ones are easy to remember and related to your business

Limit data or time. There is a fine balance between encouraging people into your café with free Wi-Fi and what is called Wi-Fi or Internet squatters.  If a customer orders a coffee, that’s great. Still, if that same customer occupies a table for 3 hours with no further purchases, that is not great. A good router should limit guests to a set time (e.g. 1hr) for free Wi-Fi and put a cap on how much data they can download.

Security. To protect your business and your customers, you should ensure that only secure logins are possible.  A minimum level of encryption called WPA-2 should be enabled. This will ensure customers will not be able to see other customers network traffic.

HINTS

To improve your internet, see this guide in our sister publication GadgetGuy.

A good quality router will allow you to set up a Virtual Private Network (VPN), enabling you to access resources on your network from a remote location.  E.g. access files saved on network-attached storage devise at your business from your home.

If everything discussed above is becoming a bit complicated and you feel that this is beyond you? There is a purpose-built out of the box solution that Small Business Answers has tested.  The orbi PRO AX6000 from Netgear RRP $1,499 is a simple business solution that will cover up to 550 square metre premises. This latest generation Wi-Fi 6 Mesh triband router can also be expanded with additional base station satellites, all with a dedicated Wi-Fi backhaul channel. The orbi Pro will support 90 concurrent devices across four SSID’s. This means you have four business-grade secure networks for the back office, staff, IoT devices (e.gPOS) and guests. The router and the satellite each have a 1 x 2.5Gbps internet port and 4 GbE ports allowing up to 8 devices connected by ethernet cable.  The Orbi Pro supports the latest security protocols, including WPA3, which means people will be safe on your network. As seen in this image, we especially like the ability to control the guest network with a splash entry page, guest SSID bandwidth control, and time limit.

The Orbi PRO uses the NETGEAR insight app to allow easy setup and management of your router. This app will alert you if the router goes offline or the internet is lost. If you are more technical and want further control and management. The orbi PRO comes with a 1-year insight subscription, which will help you manage other network devices if your network goes beyond the orbi.

Also, see our guide on IT support getting help with technology.

SUMMARY – Customer Wi-Fi network

A customer or guest Wi-Fi network is a great way to improve customer or supplier relations. If set up correctly, it will be an easy-to-use and secure internet access solution without impacting your business key network-attached business devices.

Networking a business can be a daunting proposition. Still, out of the box solutions mean the whole process can be painless. Understanding what is involved and how to make minor setting changes will ensure your business gets the most out of this technology.

Wi-Fi Extender to improve your Wi-Fi coverage

A Wi-Fi extender, just maybe the magic back box that fixes your Wi-Fi blackspots in your office, but it certainly is not a miracle cure.  This guide will explain what a Wi-Fi extender is and how it can be used to improve productivity in the office by increasing internet speed and coverage.

A Wi-Fi (range) extender, booster or repeater is used to increase the coverage area of your Wi-Fi network. It works by receiving your existing Wi-Fi signal or internet connection, and then transmitting a new signal to extend your coverage.

WHY should I consider a Wi-Fi Extender?

 We should really call this devise a Wi-Fi router extender.  A Wi-Fi router is a box that takes the internet connection you receive in your business or home and enables multiple devices to be connected to that internet. In addition, it creates a wireless broadcast so devices like a smartphone can connect to the internet.

Now picture an antenna sitting on your Wi-Fi router. This antenna can transmit a signal in a circle for up to 30 metres.  Unfortunately, every wall, desk, person, photocopier etc., in the path of that signal reduces its range.  Thus, the need for a range or Wi-Fi extender.

When using a Wi-Fi extender, the end result is to give you additional Wi-Fi coverage in an area you did not have coverage before and potentially increase the speed of connectivity to your wireless device.

More information can be found on our guide to set up a Wi-Fi network and how to improve Wi-Fi

WHAT Wi-Fi extender technologies are there?

A Wi-Fi network is identified by its network name or (SSID). This will be unique to each router out of the box but can be changed manually.

Router and extenders operate on 2 frequencies, either 2.4GHz or 5GHz.  2.4Gz is good for long-range but have lower speeds. 5Ghz is known for faster speeds but lower range.  Most devices these days will offer both.  A dual-band will have 1 x 2.4GHz and 1 x 5GHz channels. A tri-band will have 1 x 2.4GHz and 2 x 5GHz channels.

All extenders will offer one or more of the following:

Wi-Fi Mesh (single SSID) – Allows both the router and the extender to use the same network name. The communication between the two is via wireless. Extender must be in range of the router.

 Ethernet Mesh (single SSID) – Allows both the router and the extender to use the same network name. The communication between the two is an ethernet cable. The extender can be anywhere the ethernet cable reaches.

Access Point (different SSID) – Both the router and the extender will have a separate network name.  Access point could be attached by ethernet or wireless.  It is not as transparent as a Mesh solution and will not maximise speed necessarily.

HOW do I choose and install the right Wi-Fi extender

Beyond the three ways to extend your network mentioned above, there are many other features/technologies that you should consider. Our key recommendation is to consider your future needs vs what you need today. Early Wi-Fi technology has its limitations. These include speed, efficiency and the number of devices that can be properly supported. A simple explanation is older technology supported a few wireless devices. Now some networks may support 60 or more wireless devices.  Thus plan for the future both with your router and extender and the devices you attach to the network.

Look for these features:

Wi-Fi standards – The latest standard is Wi-Fi 6 or ax. Previously there was a,b,g,n,ac,ad,ah. All you need to know is a newer unit is backwards compatible, and if you buy Wi-Fi 6, your smartphone or PC must also support it to take full advantage. Wi-Fi6 is the most expensive but will futureproof you.  As a minimum, you should buy a unit supporting Wi-Fi 5, also known as ac.

LED lights – all units will have at least one light to indicate it is on and working, often changing colour to indicate its status.  If you will be connecting wirelessly, a handy feature is to buy a unit that displays signal strength from the router.  This makes placement in your premises easy as you know there is enough coverage to work properly.

Security – All models will have security and switched on as default.  Best not to turn this off as it will allow anyone to access your network.  The more modern the Wi-Fi standard, e.g. Wi-Fi6, the better the security.

Outdoors – Some vendors sell units that can be mounted outdoors and thus survive the elements.  An extender placed near a window may have the same effect.

Ethernet ports – Some models have one or more ethernet ports.  This will allow you to have an ethernet connection back to your router and /or link to a device close by that may not have Wi-Fi, like a printer.

How do I install a Wi-Fi extender?

Most banded extenders are pretty easy to set up, especially if connecting wirelessly.  You will need a power point and potentially an ethernet cable if you are connecting that way.  For a wireless connection set up, start by powering the extender up near the router. You should find a WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) button on your router and your extender. WPS makes it very easy to set up a secure connection between the two without much IT knowledge. Simply press the WPS button on the router and the extender, and they will connect.  Once this is complete, most likely indicated by a green light, disconnect your extender and look for a power point half to two thirds towards your blackspot. Suppose you have the signal indicator lights mentioned above. In that case, you will soon see if the extender is in a suitable position to still receive a good signal from the router. Finally, check your client device (PC, smartphone, camera etc.) for connection in your previous black spot.  If the connection is good, you are done; otherwise, try moving your extender to another position.

HINTS

GadgetGuy has recently reviewed the D-Link DAP-X1860 AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 Mesh range extender finding it simple to set up, reliable and reasonable cost.

A mesh router and extender will allow you to have one network name. Thus your devices seamlessly connect around your premises (a bit like your smartphone seamlessly moves around suburbs without dropping a call).

SUMMARY – improve your Wi-Fi coverage

Let us say you don’t have Wi-Fi coverage in a meeting room or you need it in a warehouse.  A simple and relatively cheap solution is purchasing and installing a Wi-Fi extender that will help remove those black spots.

Electrical retailers and office supply companies will have several models varying in price.  We recommend spending a bit more and futureproofing your network.  Same brand solutions (router and extender) are most likely to work best, but different brands should also work together.

Set up a Wi-Fi network

Before you find someone to help you set up a Wi-Fi network, you will be pleased to know that the process is extremely easy.  In this guide, we will look at the possibilities and help you decide what to buy and how to set it up to ensure the best productivity.

Wi-Fi is a wireless sharing technology that allows devices such as computers (laptops and desktops), smartphones and other equipment (printers and video cameras) to connect to the Internet.

WHY should I have a Wi-Fi network?

Suppose you are transferring large amounts of data, or you need a mission-critical connection to the internet. In that case, you should not have a Wi-Fi connection, you should instead use a cable connection to your modem or Wi-Fi router. An ethernet cable will allow faster transfer speeds and a more reliable connection.

However, if you want to seamlessly move to different places in your home or office without being tied to cables, Wi-Fi is a must.  Wi-Fi encourages collaboration but, most importantly, simplicity rather than having to do expensive hardware and cabling installs.

If you run a business where your guest might benefit from Wi-Fi, it is also simple to provide them with access to the internet, but not access your private computer resources and files.

WHAT do I need to set up a Wi-Fi network?

Small Business Answers have a separate article on setting up a computer network covering all the higher-level information you need to understand.

Steps to set up a Wi-Fi network:
  1. You will need to sign up for an Internet plan where you should consider what speed and capacity will suit your needs
  2. Buy a wireless router. A wireless router is a device that does two key functions. The router function allows a single internet connection provided by a modem (device to connect you to the internet) to be distributed across many devices.  It is very simplistically like a single power point and adding a power board – you can now plug more things in. The wireless function allows a radio connection of devices without any cables, thus wireless. The connected device like a Notebook will, of course, need its own power source like a battery.
  3. Connect your wireless router to your modem with the supplied ethernet cable.
  4. Set up your wireless router. See the next section for more details.
  5. Connect your devices with a password to your router (more details below). Password protection does two things. First, it stops just anyone connecting to your network, like neighbours or some random person using your network to download movies. Secondly, it prevents others from getting unauthorised access to your network, which might allow them access to private information. More details on internet security can be found in this guide.
  6. Decide who else will have access and under any restrictions.

Which wireless router should I buy?

Our sister site www.Gadgetguy.com.au has reviews on various models to help you decide. Your friendly office supply or consumer electronics store will also have some good advice.

There are some different types you need to understand first:
  • 4G/5G router – different from others as it uses the mobile phone network to access the internet. No broadband connection required, and it will work anywhere there is mobile phone coverage.  Internet access will, however, be more expensive.
  • Standard Wireless router – most common and economical solution.
  • Wi-Fi mesh router – provides multiple units that enable a much greater coverage area in your place of work with a seamless transfer from one mesh unit to the next. This means a more reliable internet connection for the user.
  • Business access points and small business solutions – Specific products designed for larger offices or to give Wi-Fi access to customers.  There is a simple unit from Netgear called an Orbi Pro. Beyond this, we suggest you seek professional advice.

A wireless router may have been provided to you by your internet provider.  These routers are generally the most basic models and may not work as well as a product bought for the purpose.  It may lack coverage, capacity (number of connected devices) and speed of transfer.

HOW do I set up a wireless router?

Before you break into a sweat, a simple setup will require you to

Configure a Wi-Fi Router
  1. Select a central location for the router
  2. Connect the supplied ethernet cable from your router to the internet modem
  3. Connect to a power point and turn it on if it has a switch
  4. Look on the bottom/back of the unit for a network name (SSID) and password.  The preconfigured name and password will be unique to your router
  5. On your PC or phone, select WI-FI and look for a match to your new router’s network name. Select and add the password
  6. You are now connected
Advanced setup:

Your router will come with instructions that will allow you to make more customisation to your router settings. These will include more complicated setups like a mesh router and directions on downloading an app to your smartphone to assist with the installation and administration process. You will be able to change your network name and password, alter security restrictions or limitations to groups or individuals and the ability to set up a guest network.

A guest network is a key feature you should enable on your router.  This means any visitors to your business can benefit from access to the internet but not have access to your printers, shared file systems, POS units etc. Within the router setup menu, which can be reached by either the provided app or by entering a sequence of numbers (IP address) into your connected internet browser (instructions in the router box).  Once connected, select the Wi-Fi or wireless section and enable a guest network.  Here you can give the separate network a name and password, which you can then provide to your customers.

HINTS

If you do need additional support, see our guide to IT support.

A standard wireless routers coverage can be increased using a Wi-Fi extender which increases the distance covered from the router but by using a different Wi-Fi network name.  This is not as simple as a mesh solution but a cheaper way of extending coverage. See our guide on how to improve your Wi-Fi

SUMMARY – Set up a Wi-Fi network

A wireless router will enable you to wirelessly connect your devices to the internet like a PC.  This simple device removes the need for cabling and allows mobility within your business premise.  A router may be supplied by your internet provider. Still, a higher quality unity easily available from a local retailer is more likely to provide a more productive result.  Simple setup can be done in minutes by a novice with more advanced configurations allowing you greater security and control as well as allowing you to set up a 2nd network for visitors, excluding them any access to your private resources.

How to Improve Wi-Fi

We rely so heavily on Internet connections these days, and we are quick to blame the broadband provider when it does not work. However, the question you should be really asking is How to improve Wi-Fi?

WiFi a wireless radio transmission allowing computers, tablets, smartphones, Printers, Camera’s and other WiFi enabled devices to connect to the internet or communicate with one another within a set area.

WHY should I worry about Wi-Fi black spots?

 Wi-Fi is designed for in-building use with a range of about 10 to 30 meters. Its range is such as to not interfere with someone else’s Wi-Fi network in the next building. Wi-Fi is unlikely to pass through water or thick steel but can pass through walls which will reduce the signal strength.

The better the connection you have (signal strength), the more reliable and faster your connection will be.  Remember, though, your internet connection will never be faster than the broadband plan you have subscribed to.  See our guide on Internet Plans and Provision.

WHAT do I need for Wi-Fi?

Everything you need to know about setting up a Wi-Fi router and a computer network can be found in this guide.

HOW to Improve Wi-Fi?

Our sister publication has created a simple guide for improving Wi-Fi performance.

  1. Place your Router in the middle of all the Wi-Fi action
    The best place to position your Wi-Fi router will be in the centre of where the devices (or people) are located in your office.
  2. Connect data guzzlers to your Router by Ethernet cable
    Your Router will have some ethernet plugs on the back of it.  Any device that uses lots of data like a network backup drive or a busy printer may be best directly connected via an ethernet cable.
  3. If your place of business is dual-level or longer than 30m, you need Wi-Fi extenders
    Some Wi-Fi routers are better than others at transmitting; however, the 10m to 30m limit is real, so a product called a Wi-Fi extender placed within the range of the Wi-Fi router will then extend the coverage a further 10 to 30m.
  4. The trick is Ethernet backhaul – not Mesh Wi-Fi
    Referring back to point 3. A long ethernet cable plugged into the Wi-Fi extender (especially if out of Wi-Fi range) will provide you coverage at a greater distance and at a faster speed.

HINTS – How to improve Wi-Fi

A speed test like www.speedtest.net  will give you an indication of what speed your internet is running at.  Do a test with a PC connected by ethernet cable directly to your Router, then do a test over Wi-Fi. This will show you what the best case is and if you have a problem.  The faster speed is better.

Visit Gadget Guy to read the one-page guide on Kill Wi-Fi blackspots in 5 simple steps

SUMMARY – Improve Internet speed

Put simply, if you have poor internet, look for a solution.  We suggest you start by understanding your broadband plan speed. Test its actual speed, then the speeds of your Wi-Fi connected devices in your office.

You will be pleasantly surprised by the effect of fast internet on your and any employee’s productivity.

NBN Technology Choice Program

Let me start this by saying the NBN website states for the NBN Technology Choice Program “costs can vary substantially depending on the unique circumstances of each premise.”

Very simply this program lets a user upgrade at their own expense their internet connection to a Fibre connection at your business or residential premises.

Initially, when the NBN was planned, every premises was going to be connected by Fibre. There has been lots of debate since as to whether this should have happened. The argument mainly centres around future-proofing versus the cost of the rollout.

Most small businesses in Australia will be connected by a technology called Fibre to the node (FTN). This is code for a copper cable essentially running from you premisses to a point where from there on a fibre connection takes over.

there alternatives?

In Australia, if you live in the middle of nowhere, they will offer you a satellite connection. Semi-rural a fixed wireless broadband (similar to a 4G phone solution that does not move).  Most of suburbia an FTN which will probably use the old Telstra coaxial cable with a bunch of upgrades.  If you are fortunate a fibre connection. This is all based on the cost of connection.

Fibre offers the ability to move lots of data quickly.  The reality is with technology improving your existing FTN connection to your small business is probably going to meet your every need for some time to come.

If your small business needs faster internet, there are some things you should look at first.  For many investing in a new mesh router should solve your problems.  Our guide on a computer network for small offices will explain more about this.

If you do need a speed boost, then most likely you will find your existing internet provider will have a higher speed tier with your current technology.  See our guide on Internet Plan and provision.

If your business is close to a new 5G mobile tower, this may also provide a cheaper alternative.

If you really want Fibre, you can get a free quote for the NBN Technology Choice Program in a couple of minutes. For my individual circumstances that came in at just under $18,000 so I think I am good for the moment.

Business Technology for set up

As a small business owner, you need to be a jack of all trades.  One of the hats you need to have is head of IT or Information technology.  In this guide, we will look at what technology you will need to buy to establish a small business.

Information Technology or IT is the use of computers and telecommunications for storing, retrieving, analysing and to share information.

WHY should I invest in business technology?

Technology will allow your business to run efficiently and make your business look more professional.

It will enable you to communicate via a mobile phone and email.  You will have the ability to create documents and print them.  IT will allow you to control your finances and time. You will be able to safely store and share information and lastly be found and possibly sell on the internet.

So, put simply, what phones and computer stuff do I need to buy then set up to help run my business !

WHAT business technology do I need to buy?

Below is a checklist of technologies you will need to consider for your business and a link to find more information on selecting the right option:

What technology do I need for my business?

Mobile Phone. Features that will help make a difference in running your business.
Mobile Phone Plan. Consider coverage, data inclusion, & value for money.
Computer (PC). Demystifying the jargon to help you buy the right computer.
Computer monitor. Size vs cost vs quality for your business type.
Office Productivity Software. For producing documents, presentations, spreadsheets, databases, charts, and graphs.
Cloud-based software. Solutions to help you run your business, like accounting, payroll, staff scheduling, databases etc.
Internet Plan and Provision. Reliable broadband at a speed and capacity that suits your small business.
Internet security. Take precautions against a cyber threat to your computers.
Network or WiFi.  Allows your office to share resources like the internet or a printer.
Storing and sharing files. Collaborate with staff, customers and suppliers.
Backup. Protecting your data if the worst should happen
Printer. The cheapest one may cost you more!
POS System or terminal. If you are in retail, a café or restaurant you will probably need one.
Website domain and email. Creating an identity and allowing you to communicate on the internet.
Build a website. To boost your brand and help you sell.

HOW do I decide what technology to buy

All of the 15 items on the checklist above have their own Small Business Answers Guide to help you make the right decisions on what to buy. Be sure to click on those links.

If the whole process is still too much for you, we suggest you speak with an IT retailer or engage the services of an IT support person or organisation. See our guide on IT Support – help with technology

HINTS

Now I know you want the latest and best smartphone and computer but carefully consider how much all this will cost before you go crazy with the credit card.  Also, consider exactly what you need as you don’t have to buy everything on the first day.

If you believe you will expand and hire more staff, you can always pass technology down and invest in an upgrade for yourself.

The reverse of this, be careful of buying something that does not suit the job. For example, a cheap printer that is not up to the volume means you will be back out purchasing a higher specified printer.

Reviews of specific products can be found at our sister website Gadget Guy

SUMMARY – Setting up your office tech

Buying technology can be a very daunting experience, mostly due to the cost associated with it. It will, however, allow you to operate more efficiently and professionally.  The 15 step checklist and the associated 15 guides will give you the confidence to make the right decisions.