A new office network should begin with a description of the working day, not a shopping basket. A design team moving large files, a small sales office and a workshop with networked equipment may have the same number of employees but very different requirements. Before comparing routers, identify which activities need dependable connectivity and what happens when that connectivity is lost.
Build a useful inventory
Mark desks, meeting rooms, reception and shared equipment on a simple floor plan. Count computers, phones, printers, access points and other connected devices separately. Employee headcount alone misses conference equipment, visitors and devices that operate without a user. Include plausible growth, but distinguish confirmed needs from a speculative wish list.
- Record applications, shared files and cloud services used each day.
- Identify fixed equipment that needs a dependable wired connection.
- List places where visitors need access.
- Name the person who will manage the network after installation.
Understand the components
A switch connects local devices, a router connects networks, and an access point provides wireless access. A single product may combine these functions. That does not make every combination suitable for every office. Check the number of usable ports, management requirements, supported power delivery for compatible devices and room for expansion. Keep the equipment list tied to the brief.
Make coverage an acceptance test
A floor plan is a starting point, not proof of wireless performance. Test where people will actually work, including the far desk and the meeting room with the door closed. Repeat essential activities with several users active. Record conditions and results so that changes can be compared fairly. A phone showing a connection symbol is not evidence that a video meeting will remain usable.
Plan a tidy, accessible equipment location and label both ends of important cables. Decide how guest access will be handled and who can change settings. These are operational choices that are easier to make before the office opens than during a busy day.
Specify the handover
The installer should leave a device list, port labels, a simple network diagram and a secure method of transferring administrative access. Confirm that printing, shared files and conferencing work as expected. Write down any incomplete tests, the responsible person and a completion date. Someone unfamiliar with the installation should be able to understand the documentation.
When requesting quotes, give suppliers the same brief. Compare testing, support and documentation alongside equipment costs. A slightly cheaper installation can become expensive if every fault requires rediscovering where cables run. The goal is a network that supports ordinary work and remains manageable as the office changes.