How the Office IT Planner works

You answer six questions: how many people, how big the space is, how many devices plug in with a cable, who provides the internet, how much speed headroom you want and where files will live. The planner sketches the office to scale, then recommends one of three network levels. Most small offices start at level 1 and move up as they grow.

1. 1

   Level 1: Start with your provider's router

   The router and WiFi that AT&T, Comcast, Spectrum or another business provider supplies, plus their optional security add-on. Enough for most offices of up to five people in about 1,000 sq ft.

   Compare business internet providers
2. 2

   Level 2: Better WiFi, still simple

   Keep the provider's router and add eero mesh units or HPE Instant On access points, managed from a phone app. The usual next step as a team grows or the space gets larger.

   Mesh WiFi vs access points
3. 3

   Level 3: A managed business network

   Your own gateway, PoE switch and ceiling access points from UniFi or TP-Link Omada, on one dashboard with separate staff and guest networks. Suited to larger teams, bigger spaces and many wired devices.

   UniFi vs Omada for business