WiFi, 5G — or Both? Your Setup, Your Choice

When evaluating your connectivity options, it’s important to match the right technology to the right job.

Here are three commonly used approaches in warehouse environments:

• WiFi 6 and WiFi 6E. Ideal for high-density environments where many devices need simultaneous access. WiFi 6 introduces greater capacity and more efficient traffic handling, especially in large-scale warehouses.
• 5G SIM-based Connectivity. Best for mobile trolleys, remote zones, or temporary setups where cabling isn’t practical. 5G provides reliable, low-latency connectivity for standalone devices and flexible deployments.
• Hybrid Networks. Many sites benefit from combining WiFi and 5G. Fixed zones use high-speed WiFi, while mobile or hard-to-reach areas rely on 5G — allowing greater agility without sacrificing performance.

Visibility and Device Control: Why It Matters

Beyond connectivity, managing devices and ensuring operational visibility is a growing focus in modern facilities.

Some technologies being adopted include:

• Remote Device Management. Allows IT or support teams to monitor scanners, mobile computers, and printers without being onsite — helping reduce support delays.
• Geo-Fencing and Access Control. Enforces where and when a device can operate, useful for maintaining compliance or preventing unauthorized use.
• Redundancy-Ready Design. Features like dual Ethernet ports or switch aggregation help maintain connectivity during power failures or network disruptions.

Cybersecurity in the Warehouse

As more devices connect to a network, cybersecurity becomes a critical piece of the infrastructure conversation.

Australian businesses are increasingly adopting:

• ISO 27001: An international standard for managing information security;
• Essential Eight: A set of baseline mitigation strategies published by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC)

These standards help safeguard warehouse operations from ransomware, data breaches, and other threats that can disrupt the supply chain.

Key measures include:

• Enforcing multi-factor authentication (MFA)
• Regular patching of operating systems and apps
• Restricting admin privileges
• Application whitelisting

Planning for cybersecurity at the network level ensures that connected devices — from printers to mobile terminals — are not easy entry points for attack.

Planning Your Warehouse Network: Key Questions

• When considering an upgrade or building out your warehouse network, here are questions worth asking:
• What devices are used across your facility (fixed vs. mobile)?
• Do you have dead zones or areas with high interference?
• Are your operations impacted by downtime or weak signal coverage?
• Do you need remote access to monitor or support devices?
• Are you working toward ISO 27001 or Essential Eight compliance?

Understanding the answers to these will guide your choice of technologies — and how they’re implemented — to create a resilient and future-ready warehouse.