Lava - Construction Industry fails to exploit WI-FI Benefits
The UK construction is failing to exploit the
benefits of wireless internet access says a study
published today.
A survey of 50 construction sites found that just three
sites had a wireless network in place to provide remote
workers with a link to their head office or access to
the internet.
Alarmingly, only one of the three sites was sufficiently
secure. The two other sites were open to hacking and
freeloading, meaning with little effort a hacker could
gain unauthorised access to private files on a network
or an individual with a laptop could use the network to
surf the internet.
The research was conducted by software house, Senior
Technology, as part of the development of Site-Net.
Site-net is a complete remote site network security
solution designed for hostile environments like the
construction industry.
Described by Senior Technology as ‘all-in-one Internet
in a box solution’, within hours of installing Site-Net,
a secure wireless connection can be accessed by users
across a construction site.
According to Pete Senior of Senior Technology it is
worries over security that is strangling WI-FI adoption
in the industry. “We conducted this research to see if
there was a need for wireless internet access on
building sites and there most certainly is. The
accessing of head office files, websites and email is
something that every business needs to operate
efficiently today. However, our research shows that the
vast majority of on-site construction personnel do not
have access to this time saving and efficiency improving
technology. One of the main reasons for the lack of take
up appears to be concerns over security. Our research
team found just six percent of the surveyed sites had
wireless broadband. Only one of the three sites was
sufficiently secure. We appreciate our survey is small
but we believe the findings from the Midlands and
Yorkshire to be typical of the UK as a whole and so
security could be a very serious issue indeed.”
Site-Net tackles security head on and provides users
with an enterprise level firewall, ant-virus and spam
filters in a package that is comparably cheaper than
installing fixed line internet access.
“Typically, installing a fixed line internet access
point into a temporary building will cost a company some
£2,000 and require structural changes,” explains Mr
Senior. “With Site-Net we simply attach the box to a
power socket and to an aerial. Site-Net’s pricing and
features make it a viable alternative.”
Senior Technology believes it is IT managers and
Business System Managers who need to be convinced of the
importance and benefits of wireless networks and WI-FI
internet access.
“We spoke to several people on site during our research
and they were convinced that having a wireless network
and access to files and the internet would be
beneficial,” concludes Pete. “However, with such low
take up of the technology, it appears IT managers aren’t
in agreement. Hopefully, with the introduction of
Site-Net and its security features they will now have a
viable route to adding their remote sites to their
company network.”
Email:
matt@lavaonlince.co.uk
Arundel Jones Associates Ltd
Hill Farm, Linton Hill, Maidstone, Kent ME17 4AL
Tel : 01622 745333
news@buildingdesign.co.uk
Registered in England and Wales No. 07334149
News Categories : Construction sites UK
Construction technology articles
|
Construction
sites UK 
