Wi-Fi Infrastructure Requirements

Guidance on Wi-Fi infrastructure and system requirements for warehouses that use Flexe mobile devices.  

IN THIS TOPIC

• About Wi-Fi Infrastructure
  • Requirements
  • Determining Compliance
• Resources to Reach Compliance
• Frequently Asked Questions

About Wi-Fi Infrastructure

The Flexe Logistics Platform is deployed as a cloud-based, real-time SaaS (Software as a Service), and is accessible in web and mobile applications such as Zebra scanners. 

To support flexible and quick deployments and maintain steady-state operations, it is expected that warehouse providers meet Flexe Wi-Fi requirements. 

A Flexe project hosted in a facility without adequate Wi-Fi impacts the provider’s ability to meet SLAs and leads to the following risk: 

• Quality: Critical processes such as billing are dependent on Flexe system scans. Removing scans impacts the provider’s ability to perform quality solutions.

• Inventory Accuracy:  Scans performed in a different area than where goods are located can reflect inventory discrepancies. 

• Volume / Throughput: To perform scoped solutions at scale, providers must be able to scan inventory as it flows through the facility. 

Requirements

A stable broadband connection to the internet and Wi-Fi coverage are required to support the movement of goods and staff throughout a facility.  For providers managing Flexe business, it is expected that they maintain compliance with the below levels of connection and coverage:

Warehouses with the minimum level of Wi-Fi may receive a conditional pass to support a Flexe project and are expected to take steps to achieve compliance - follow Flexe’s suggestions for improvement.

In addition to maintaining the connection and coverage levels listed, below are items that result in non-compliance and should be avoided: 

• Using Wi-Fi hotspots
• Wi-Fi that cannot connect to Flexe devices due to firewall or security reasons
• Not controlling access to Wi-Fi infrastructure
• Incomplete or partial coverage in a building

Also keep in mind that in the event of a Wi-Fi outage, your ability to complete many inbound and outbound workflows on mobile devices will be impacted. Make sure to consider this when planning network coverage and backup options. 

Determining Compliance

To determine if a warehouse is compliant, Flexe performs a Wi-Fi assessment of the facility and then provides feedback on the quality of the current deployment.

Resources to Reach Compliance

Warehouses with non-compliant Wi-Fi must deliver a plan and timeline for deploying compliant levels of Wi-Fi to support Flexe projects.

Flexe IT offers the following services to help warehouses reach compliance: 

• Free virtual Wi-Fi assessment with a simulation of coverage and gaps
• Consultative advice to remedy non-compliant Wi-Fi such as design feedback and preferred vendor list
• After improvements are made to a warehouse to reach compliance, a second, virtual Wi-Fi assessment will be performed to validate compliance.

The warehouse provider is ultimately responsible for determining the correct Wi-Fi solution to achieve compliance, covering any cost associated, and remedying any issues that may accompany the solution. 

Frequently Asked Questions

A list of frequently asked questions is below. Please direct any other questions to your Network Development Representative. 

Flexe Web Application: Flexe.com 

• Do warehouse providers need to download anything on their computers to use Flexe software? No, Flexe software is accessible via an internet browser at Flexe.com. After logging in, providers have immediate access to Flexe’s web application. Expect to receive login credentials when a Flexe project is awarded to a facility, following the execution of a contract. 
• What desktops and operating systems does the Flexe system support? The Flexe system is browser-based and will run on most modern computer hardware. It is tested on both Mac and Windows-based systems running their vendor-supported current OS releases. 
• What web browsers are supported? The Flexe system should operate on any current web browser. It is tested in Chrome, IE, and Safari on current versions including the two most recent versions of each product. While other browsers and versions may work, Flexe only provides support for the browser and versions listed. It is recommended that warehouse providers keep their internet browser applications current and enable regular software updates by the browser service provider. 

Flexe Mobile Application: Accessible on Zebra Scanning Devices

• Can warehouse providers download the Flexe app on their own scanners? No, it is not allowed for warehouse providers to run the Flexe mobile app on scanners, hardware, or other devices. By limiting the Flexe app to only Flexe-provided devices, a well-known configuration is provided for building the app against and debugging any issues that may arise in the field. Also, since the devices are owned and managed by Flexe, this allows remote management tools to be used to keep the devices up-to-date and perform remote support when needed.
• Can warehouse providers connect the Flexe scanning device to guest Wi-Fi? Possibly, by design, the Flexe device requirements are simple and do not require a private network or custom SSID to work within a warehouse. However, many guest networks implement a captive portal (ex - a pop-up when connecting to a hotel network) in addition to or instead of a password, and Flexe devices do not support connecting through a captive portal. 

• Why is a signal strength of at least -60dBm recommended? Flexe deployments go into dynamic environments; the quantity and type of goods stored in a building can change, the workflows used can change, and even racking or temporary barriers can be added or removed over time. All of these variables can impact wireless connectivity so it is recommended that a signal quality above the wireless industry’s recommended minimum to compensate for changes in the environment without having to reconfigure the infrastructure constantly. 

• Are there special firewall requirements? Yes, for warehouse locations that have strict firewall rules, there are requirements for the whitelisting of a small number of services for the Flexe app, as well as the device management and support platform (SOTI). These requirements can be provided upon request. 

• Can the scanning device run on cellular data? No. The models currently provisioned do not run on LTE or cellular. 
• Can Flexe assess Wi-Fi through the Flexe device? No, the networking stack on the device is not designed to give the high-frequency level of detail used for design assessments. 

Appendix

Below are examples of Wi-Fi assessments for reference.

Figure 1a - This is an example of well-deployed Wi-Fi. There is complete coverage throughout the facility and the addition of racking or goods will still allow for signal coverage into isles or storage locations.                                                                                   

Figure1b - The same deployment with racking added.  Note that even though the conditions have changed, the thorough layout still provides complete coverage in all parts of the building.

Figure 2a - This is the same space with fewer access points deployed.  In this configuration and with no goods or racking installed this would meet our minimum specification. This may get a conditional pass but we would recommend adding access points to this location (see Figure 2b).

Figure 3a - The same location with inadequate Wi-Fi deployment.  Even with no goods or racking in the space, there are coverage gaps where equipment could lose connectivity.

Figure 3b - The same deployment with racking now added - there are significant gaps in connectivity in many of the lanes and putaway locations. This coverage gap will be exacerbated by the number of people working in the area, and the type of goods being handled.