How AP on a Stick Surveys Optimize Wi-Fi Deployment for Enterprises

Enterprises rely on robust connectivity to support digital transformation, scale operations, and enable the expansion of new locations. Besides these critical growth initiatives, a high-performance network is a prerequisite for obtaining regulatory certifications.

Although enterprise networks play a critical role in supporting business success, the reality is that organizations face significant challenges with their Wi-Fi. A study by Opengear revealed that 91% of Chief Information Officers (CIOs) reported experiencing at least one network outage per quarter. Furthermore, 79% of U.S. CIOs report that these outages hinder their ability to meet customer expectations, a sentiment shared by 68% of U.S. network engineers. Many of these bottlenecks stem from poor planning and resource allocation.

Whether enhancing an existing infrastructure or designing a greenfield network, organizations must account for user demands, business constraints, and the physical environment to achieve optimal Wi-Fi performance. AP on a Stick surveys address these factors by collecting real-time data to precisely design Wi-Fi networks.

“When planning a scalable Wi-Fi network for an enterprise environment, IT directors need to consider a variety of factors to ensure the network can support current and future business requirements while providing reliable, secure, and high-performance connectivity.”

‍- Nathan Wierzgac, Director of Sales & Business Development, WZC Networking

Collecting wall material attenuation and RF spectrum activity through an AP on a Stick survey reduces uncertainty and enables greater precision in Wi-Fi network design. But does your organization need this survey to achieve reliable coverage?

Continue reading to discover how AP on stick surveys can optimize your Wi-Fi deployment, improve network performance, and how collaborating with an RF expert can lead to optimal results.

The Role of AP on a Stick Survey to Enterprise Wi-Fi Deployment

If your organization has experienced downtime, delayed workflows, or frustrated end users due to slow connectivity, you understand the importance of designing an efficient Wi-Fi network from the outset. Before deploying or upgrading your network, a thorough site survey is essential to assess coverage requirements, identify potential interference, and achieve optimal access point placement. One reliable and non-intrusive survey approach for assessing network conditions and optimizing Wi-Fi design is an AP on a Stick survey.

What is an AP on a Stick Survey?

Enterprise networks must support higher client density as the number of connected devices, including Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) or user-owned devices, increases, particularly in large organizations.

“Each device, including smartphones, laptops, IoT devices, competes for bandwidth and access points (APs), which can lead to congestion, slower speeds, and degraded performance, especially in high-density areas such as conference rooms, open offices, and cafeterias.”

‍- Mindy Altiero, Business Development Manager WZC Networking

A wireless access point is temporarily mounted on a tripod or pole, typically at its planned installation height, to conduct a survey using an AP on a Stick. This setup enables the collection of real-time data on signal strength, interference, and coverage across various locations within the physical environment. AP on a Stick surveys allow for precise mapping of coverage, showing where congestion or weak signals may occur. Temporarily placing access points in various locations helps determine areas where devices compete for bandwidth and uncover potential performance issues before the network is fully deployed.

Why Is an AP on a Stick Survey Necessary to Optimize Enterprise-Grade Wi-Fi Deployments?

As predictive Wi-Fi design tools continue to advance, network experts are frequently asked about the ongoing necessity of an AP on a Stick Survey. A common guideline for design validation is to conduct a survey when the anticipated installation costs surpass the price of the AP itself. An APoS survey can help avoid unexpected installation expenses and safeguard business-critical Wi-Fi deployments.

How Network Experts Conduct an AP on a Stick Survey

Preparation

Before conducting the survey, a comprehensive plan is developed to identify and map out the specific areas for evaluation, establish the survey’s scope, and set expectations for the outcomes. Industry-standard tools like Ekahau, AirMagnet, or Talon are commonly used to provide real-time insights into signal strength, channel utilization, interference, and other critical performance metrics during the site survey.

Setup of the AP on a Stick

The AP is mounted on a tripod, pole, or other adjustable platform to replicate the height of the final installation, typically at ceiling height, around 8 to 12 feet above the floor. Positioning the AP at the center of the area or key strategic points guarantees that the coverage is accurately simulated.

Network engineers will configure the AP’s transmission (TX) power to align with the network design or intended deployment configuration. In high-density environments, this typically involves lowering the TX power to reduce co-channel interference and optimize spectrum efficiency.

According to the plan, the AP is moved across various locations within the designated survey area to assess optimal placement and coverage.

Conducting the Survey

As the surveyor moves the AP, a site survey tool on a laptop or tablet captures key metrics like signal strength, quality, and throughput. The surveyor follows a predefined path, taking measurements every 10 to 20 feet in large spaces and from multiple points in complex areas. Signal strength should fall between -50 dBm and -70 dBm, with anything below -70 dBm indicating poor coverage. For mobile networks, the surveyor tests roaming performance, analyzing signal handoff, latency, and packet loss. The survey tool also helps identify interference from other devices.

Data Collection and Analysis

The survey data is processed to create “heatmaps,” which visually display signal strength, coverage, and potential interference zones. Heatmaps help identify:

• Areas with strong or weak coverage (RSSI).
• Overlap or interference between APs.
• Coverage gaps where additional APs may be needed.

The survey results will reveal potential network bottlenecks, such as areas with insufficient signal strength or requiring additional APs to handle traffic. It also helps assess which areas demand higher data rates.

Reporting and Recommendations

After analyzing the survey results, you may need to reposition the AP on a stick to find better placements or adjust power settings to further optimize coverage or performance. Network engineers create a detailed report that includes signal strength, coverage area, interference analysis, and suggested AP placements. They capture the network’s performance through detailed documentation, highlighting areas that require adjustments.

RF engineers use the survey results to provide specific recommendations for the final AP configuration, such as:

• The number of APs needed for each area.
• The best channels for the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands to minimize interference.
• Recommended power levels for each AP to ensure balanced coverage.
• Additional equipment, such as directional antennas or mesh networks, to meet performance requirements.

Building a Reliable Network Begins with the Right Survey

AP on Stick surveys are an accurate way to optimize Wi-Fi deployment in complex enterprise environments. By simulating real-world conditions before final installation, network experts can identify coverage gaps, areas of congestion, and potential interference points that might otherwise be missed. The gathered data allows for fine-tuning of AP placement and network settings, resulting in a network that performs optimally when fully deployed.

Specialized surveys to enhance Wi-Fi performance are best conducted by experienced RF engineers who have a strong understanding of radio frequency principles, network design, and interference factors. Proven RF expertise is essential for collecting accurate data and conducting effective analysis. Organizations that rely on expert guidance can build more reliable and high-performing networks.

“We need to design the full system, and that design involves specialized knowledge that requires certification. It takes years of training and experience to design these systems, which is exactly what makes our engineers highly capable and efficient in their work.”

‍- Matt Wierzgac, Sr RF & Mobility Engineer/Engineering Manager WZC Networking

Is your network ready to support your organization without interruptions? A well-planned deployment makes all the difference. Contact WZC Networking’s experts to build a Wi-Fi network that supports your operations today and into the future.

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