Warehouse WiFi in full flow

Never as simple as you think

When we planned the warehouse network build, we knew it would be a large and complex setup. From the start, we designed it around three key goals: stable coverage down every aisle, resilience across the site, and enough capacity for future expansion.

We started with a detailed site survey. This included walking the entire warehouse, mapping the floorplan, and identifying signal obstacles like high metal racking, concrete walls, and machinery. We used heat-mapping tools to model the signal spread, focusing on aisle coverage where handheld scanners and picking systems would be in constant use. One thing we learned early on is WiFi behaves very differently in warehouses compared to office spaces.

With the survey complete, we planned the network around three cabinets to spread risk and reduce cable runs. Each cabinet housed switches and access point uplinks serving its nearest area, cutting down latency and improving resilience in case of faults. We installed eight managed PoE switches across the cabinets, giving us plenty of ports for the 37 access points, scanners, office devices, and future hardware.

Access point placement was key. We positioned them high on ceiling beams, angled directly down aisles to maximise signal strength along the main working areas. We avoided placing them across aisles, where the metal shelving would kill signal strength side-to-side. Loading bays and packing areas had their own dedicated access points, including outdoor-rated units where required.

Once everything was installed, we spent time testing signal strength in both empty and fully stocked conditions. We adjusted power levels, channel planning, and VLAN setup to make sure operational traffic stayed fast and stable, with guest WiFi isolated to the office block.

With three cabinets, eight switches, and 37 access points properly configured, the warehouse now has full coverage, no dead spots in key working areas, and capacity for growth without expensive rewiring. The upfront planning meant we avoided common pitfalls and delivered a network that just works, day in and day out.