Managing Wi-Fi for a Business with Many Branches

The network at a single shop or café can be handled simply: one router, one password, and a regular technician's number. Problems start when the business grows to five, ten, or twenty locations. Each branch is set up at a different time, by different people, with different equipment. When something goes wrong, nobody knows exactly how that branch's network is configured.

Set a standard before the next branch

A standard needn't be complicated. One document answering these questions already helps a great deal:

• the make and model of routers, access points, and switches used;
• Wi-Fi names for guests and staff, and the password rules;
• which networks are separated: guests, staff, cashiers, CCTV;
• the main and backup ISP for each location;
• who holds the admin accounts and where the passwords are kept.

How to document a network is covered in documenting your own network. When using an installer, hand over the standard and ask them to follow it; see choosing a Wi-Fi installation service.

Central management

Opening each branch router's admin page one by one isn't practical. Better options:

With central management, changing the staff Wi-Fi password after an employee leaves takes one change for every branch. Firmware updates can be scheduled together too; see updating router firmware.

Separate networks the same way at every branch

Cash registers, EDC machines, and CCTV must be separated from guest Wi-Fi, and the separation should be the same at every branch. VLANs make this easier: the cashier network at every branch uses a consistent VLAN number and address range, so it's easy to recognise and troubleshoot. See what a VLAN is, separating guest networks, and networks for cash registers and EDC machines.

Internet at each branch

The best provider in one city isn't necessarily the best in another. Choose providers per location, but standardise the minimum requirements: speed, SLA, and a backup path for branches whose sales depend on the internet. Related guides: choosing an internet plan for a business, understanding business internet SLAs, and backup internet for businesses.

If branches need to reach a server at head office, head office usually needs a static IP or similar service; see static vs dynamic IP for businesses.

Consistent guest Wi-Fi

A customer who has connected at one branch should be able to connect at another with the same Wi-Fi name and login page. A central login page or captive portal also makes it easier to keep usage records for every site; see log retention duties for Wi-Fi providers.

Someone on site

However good remote management is, at some point someone at the branch has to unplug and replug a device. Put a short instruction sheet near the network rack: which devices may be restarted, in what order, and whose number to call. Label every cable and device. These small steps cut downtime more than expensive equipment does.

Read also: Wi-Fi for Warehouses and Factories.

Frequently asked questions