Enterprise stakeholders are increasingly invested in their digital transformation journey.  The need for secure and stable communications to support mission critical operations is of the utmost importance. Wireless communications like WiFi have become the de facto standard over the past 20+ years.  WiFi provides the necessary wireless flexibility to support untethered use cases including field workers, robotics, sensors and other mobile devices. However, capabilities such as range, user hand off and integration with Mobile Network Operators (MNO) nationwide coverage are lacking.  WiFi has a long life left in the carpeted enterprise setting but is unsuitable for many contemporary use cases. The modern enterprise needs a new connectivity solution while retaining total control.

Fortunately, the advent of 5G has positioned Private Mobile Networks (PMNs) as a powerful alternative to satisfy the wireless communications needs of enterprise adopters globally. Hype is mounting thanks to a growing number of case studies that show how PMNs can generate meaningful value for the enterprise. However, it is crucial that any enterprise thinking of executing a PMN strategy consider their specific networking needs, priorities, coverage model and use cases to avoid the bait & switch offered by some Network in a Box solutions. 

Bait…

Network in a Box refers to the type of all-in-one PMN solution that purports simplicity, affordability and rapid deployment. Companies behind these kinds of solutions are familiar with the most common pain points of enterprise networking and know the features that enterprises seek.

These solutions often have a straightforward deployment process like that of WiFi. Even better, they are deployable using a single vendor solution. LTE Network in a Box solutions can offer much better performance, stability and mobility properties when compared to WiFi. Finally, as long as devices remain within the limited range of the PMN deployment, enterprises can incur zero data tariff. This suggests that Network in a Box solutions are cost-conscious when used as stipulated.

…and Switch

The stipulations of Network in a Box solutions create a rigid framework that is inhospitable to the inevitable enterprise need for mobility. Devices are trapped inside the geographic “box” created by the private deployment.  As soon as a device leaves the confines of coverage, it loses access to the network. This is impractical to put it lightly – think of all the times it has been necessary to bring a work device home throughout the pandemic!

Furthermore, many enterprises operate in multiple locations that are miles – perhaps nations or oceans – apart. Deploying a Network in a Box solution at each individual site effectively recreates the same siloed and unscalable enterprise networking infrastructure that is in place today with WiFi (albeit with slightly better range and handoff). The overall management of a complex multi-site PMN solution can put the original enterprise business case based on safety, compliance, cost and security at risk – which is unacceptable.

Think Outside the Box with Expeto

Expeto uniquely offers a seamless method for Private Mobile Networking that makes siloed, standalone networks a relic of the inefficient past. Called NeXtworking™, this Enterprise First™ PMN solution converges enterprises owned private cellular deployments with existing Mobile Network Operator (MNO) coverage. This allows workers and devices to roam between private and public networks on a single platform with full control from SIM to server.

The NeXtworking solution relies on three innovative components to once and for all give enterprises the power of control over their own network management.

Expeto xRouter enables seamless roam on / roam off capabilities between the enterprise’s private cellular deployments and existing MNO public networks with full control. Meanwhile, xControl abstracts the complexity of MNO and private cellular solutions by giving enterprises a single, user-friendly control panel to manage their network of networks in real-time. The final component, xCore, allows for instant and virtually unlimited network segmentation to extend corporate LAN subnets securely and quickly to cellular attached devices anywhere.

The result is a flexible, agile, secure and transparent PMN solution purpose-built for the enterprise. Stakeholders responsible for geographically diverse or multi-national PMN solutions can save millions in cost avoidance by using coverage where it already exists and only filling in gaps with private radios as needed.

Don’t Take the Bait!

Enterprise stakeholders are eager to make the most of their digital transformation investments – but with various options on the market, it is important they do not lose sight of their business goals. While Network in a Box solutions are tactical and tempting, they often don’t provide all that is required by the enterprise beyond the first few simple use cases.  This dampens the ability of the enterprise to realize the full potential of their investment. The Expeto platform, on the other hand, offers an equally simple yet far more powerful Private Mobile Network platform that provides the scalability, agility and security required to meet the mission critical needs of the modern enterprise on a global scale.

To learn more about Expeto’s Enterprise First NeXtworking solution, click here.