Top 7 Benefits of Managed WiFi+ for MDU Property Owners & Apartment Residents

We’ve all experienced it at some point: you're settling in to watch a movie or gearing up for an important video call, and suddenly, the dreaded video buffering begins.  

Unfortunately, this is one of many common struggles for apartment building residents, where unreliable WiFi is a persistent issue. Whether it’s due to network congestion from multiple users, structural interferences, or outdated infrastructure, the impact of poor connectivity can be felt in various aspects of daily life, from entertainment to professional obligations. This highlights the critical need for more reliable and robust WiFi solutions in residential complexes.  

Enter Managed WiFi+, a solution designed by Dojo Networks to address these problems and enhance internet experiences for  property owners and residents. Managed WiFi+ ensures robust, high-speed internet access throughout the entire property. Let's explore the top seven benefits of managed WiFi in Multi-Dwelling Units (MDUs) and how a properly designed and well managed WiFi network can transform apartment living. 

The Top Seven Benefits 

Faster, More Reliable Internet Access 

Managed WiFi solutions maintain consistent high speeds by employing continuous network monitoring and making real-time optimizations to ensure peak performance. They offer roaming between access points to prevent interruptions in connectivity, and regular firmware and software updates enhance the network’s ability to meet growing demands. Strategic placement and configuration of access points by professionals minimize dead zones and reduce interference, ensuring strong coverage throughout the area. 

Several factors contribute to faster speeds in managed WiFi environments. Allocating dedicated bandwidth ensures that there is ample capacity for all users. The use of advanced equipment, including the latest WiFi technology and high-performance access points, greatly enhances speed and capacity. Efficient channel management helps to minimize interference and optimize the flow of traffic. 

Reduced WiFi Interference 

WiFi interference occurs when multiple WiFi signals or other electronic devices disrupt the wireless signal between your device and the router. This can be caused by overlapping WiFi channels, physical obstructions, or electromagnetic interference from devices like microwaves and cordless phones. The impact of WiFi interference on internet performance includes slower speeds, increased latency, dropped connections, and overall unreliable network performance. Essentially, it degrades the quality and stability of the internet connection, making activities such as streaming, gaming, and video conferencing difficult. 

Properly engineered managed WiFi systems minimize interference from neighboring networks through several strategies. They use advanced channel management to automatically select the least congested channels, reducing overlap and interference. Managed systems often incorporate beamforming technology, which directs the WiFi signal toward specific devices, minimizing the impact of interference from other sources. Additionally, managed WiFi solutions can deploy a dense network of access points with lower power settings to ensure coverage without overlapping signals excessively. By continuously monitoring the network environment, these systems employ machine learning technology to adapt in real-time to changes in interference levels, maintaining optimal performance. 

Simplified Management for Property Owners 

Managed WiFi offers several significant time-saving benefits for property owners: 

1. Frictionless experience and carrier class service: With a Dojo Networks Managed WiFi+ system, your residents get a solution that just works and works as expected. Prior to lease start, residents receive a welcome email and text telling them how to easily get onto the network and to reach out to Dojo with any questions or concerns. Dojo Networks’ system is truly carrier class, and our ManagedWiFi+ system maximizes the wireless spectrum using APs located in every apartment and in common areas. Dojo maximizes the spectral efficiencies of multiple frequencies so resident devices can easily connect wherever they are on the property, and they can roam—just like with a cell phone—with their devices while they stay in their very own encrypted network connection. With WiFi calling and Passpoint® built-in to the system, even the residents’ calling experience is optimized for situations where the cell service doesn’t penetrate throughout the building or property. 
2. Centralized Network Management: With managed WiFi, property owners benefit from a centralized system that allows for easy monitoring and management of the entire network from a single interface. This eliminates the need to manage individual routers in each unit, saving considerable time and effort. Dojo’s Elemento® system and dashboard are industry leading and give residents and property managers all the tools needed to know that the network and customer experience are working well. 
3. No Individual Router Troubleshooting and 24/7 Support: Managed WiFi handles all aspects of network troubleshooting and maintenance. Property owners do not need to spend time diagnosing and fixing issues in individual units, as the managed service provider takes care of these tasks, ensuring consistent network performance across the property. Dojo Networks, the fastest growing managed WiFi provider in the U.S., offers around-the-clock technical support, ensuring that any issues are quickly resolved without requiring the property owner's involvement. This ensures minimal downtime and consistent service quality for residents. Dojo’s support metrics and KPIs are the top in the nation for all ISPs. 
4. Better Reliability: Because less equipment is required in each apartment unit and because the equipment doesn’t require tenant power, the systems are more reliable. All electronics operate on power fed from centralized data closets, and all equipment is on managed battery backups so the WiFi keeps running, even when there are power interruptions. 
5. Professional Installation and Optimization: Managed WiFi providers handle the installation and ongoing optimization of the network. This means property owners do not need to spend time planning, setting up, or adjusting the network to ensure optimal performance. 
6. Proactive Maintenance and Updates: Managed WiFi services include regular maintenance and automatic updates to the network infrastructure. Property owners are spared the time-consuming task of keeping the network up-to-date and secure, as the provider handles these updates. 
7. Scalability: Managed WiFi systems are easily scalable, allowing property owners to expand or upgrade their network with minimal effort as the property grows or technology evolves. This flexibility saves time compared to reconfiguring or replacing individual network components. 

Increased Resident Satisfaction 

Reliable internet access is crucial for MDU resident satisfaction and retention. High-speed, dependable internet is now considered a basic utility, much like water and electricity. When residents can count on uninterrupted, fast internet, it enhances their overall living experience and supports their daily activities, such as remote work, online education, streaming, and smart home device usage.  

Conversely, frequent connectivity issues can lead to frustration and dissatisfaction, making residents more likely to consider moving to properties with better internet services. By ensuring reliable internet access through managed WiFi solutions, property owners can significantly boost resident satisfaction and foster long-term retention, as happy residents are more likely to renew their leases and recommend the property to others. 

Managed WiFi can be a significant competitive advantage for attracting new tenants, as potential renters prioritize properties that offer high-quality internet services. Managed WiFi provides a hassle-free internet experience, with features such as automatic updates, professional support, and optimal network performance. Offering managed WiFi can appeal to tech-savvy individuals and remote workers who require reliable internet for their professional needs. By promoting managed WiFi as part of the property's amenities, owners can attract new tenants looking for modern, well-equipped living spaces, thereby enhancing occupancy rates and maximizing rental income. 

Enhanced Security Features 

Network security is important in apartment buildings due to the shared nature of internet access. In multi-tenant environments, residents connect to the same network, increasing the risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and cyberattacks. Without adequate security measures, malicious actors could gain access to sensitive information, compromise personal devices, or disrupt network operations.  

Vulnerabilities in the network can impact all residents, leading to dissatisfaction and potential legal liabilities for property owners. Therefore, implementing network security protocols is essential to safeguard residents' privacy, protect against cyber threats, and maintain the integrity of the network infrastructure. 

High-quality managed WiFi systems often offer advanced security features to enhance protection against cyber threats: 

• Encryption: Managed WiFi solutions utilize encryption protocols such as WPA3 to secure data transmissions, preventing unauthorized access and eavesdropping on the network. 

• Guest Access Controls: Managed WiFi systems allow property owners to create separate guest networks with restricted access, ensuring that visitors cannot compromise the main network or access sensitive information. 

• Intrusion Detection and Prevention: These systems employ intrusion detection and prevention mechanisms to monitor network traffic for suspicious activity and mitigate potential threats in real-time. 

• Firewall Protection: Managed WiFi networks may include firewall capabilities to filter incoming and outgoing traffic, blocking malicious content and unauthorized access attempts. 

• Regular Security Updates: Managed WiFi providers release regular firmware updates to patch security vulnerabilities and address emerging threats, ensuring that the network remains protected against evolving cyber risks. 

Improved Scalability and Flexibility 

Managed WiFi solutions are highly adaptable to changing needs within a building, thanks to their flexible architecture and advanced management capabilities: 

1. Scalability: Managed WiFi systems are designed to scale easily, allowing property owners to accommodate new residents and increased bandwidth requirements without significant infrastructure changes. Additional access points can be easily added to the network to expand coverage and support growing user demands. 
2. Bandwidth Management: Managed WiFi solutions offer sophisticated bandwidth management tools that enable property owners to allocate and prioritize bandwidth according to changing needs. This ensures that critical applications, such as building automation systems or video conferencing, receive sufficient bandwidth to operate smoothly, even as usage patterns evolve. 
3. Dynamic Configuration: Managed WiFi systems support dynamic configuration changes, allowing property owners to adjust network settings in real-time to optimize performance and address specific requirements. This flexibility enables quick adaptation to changing usage patterns, such as implementing guest access controls for events or allocating additional bandwidth during peak hours. 
4. Integration with Building Automation: Managed WiFi solutions can integrate with building automation systems, enabling centralized management and control of various IoT devices and smart building technologies. This integration streamlines operations, enhances efficiency, and facilitates the implementation of new automation initiatives as needed. 
5. Integration with Smart Apartment Systems: Managed WiFi makes it easy to add smart apartment vendors, systems and products. Because you have network everywhere, deployment is a snap
6. Remote Management: Managed WiFi solutions offer remote management capabilities, allowing property owners to monitor and configure the network from anywhere with an internet connection. This remote access facilitates rapid response to changing needs and enables proactive network management, minimizing downtime and disruptions.

Peace of Mind for Everyone 

The overall benefit of a worry-free internet experience for residents and property owners cannot be overstated. It creates a positive living environment and enhances the overall quality of life for residents while alleviating stress and operational burdens for property owners. 

For residents, a worry-free internet experience means reliable connectivity for work, entertainment, communication, and daily activities. They can stream movies, participate in video calls, complete assignments, and connect with loved ones without disruptions or frustrations. This reliability fosters satisfaction and contentment, contributing to a positive living experience and a sense of belonging within the community. 

At the same time, property owners benefit from a worry-free internet experience by reducing the time and resources associated with managing and troubleshooting individual internet connections. With managed WiFi solutions handling network maintenance, security updates, troubleshooting, and support, property owners can focus on other aspects of property management, such as tenant relations, maintenance, and property improvements. This streamlines operations, enhances efficiency, and frees up valuable time and resources to invest in enhancing the overall property experience.  

The property staff shouldn’t have to worry about supporting the internet or onboarding residents. That is the managed WiFi vendor’s job. Dojo Networks integrates its Elemento® system with the property management system to make onboarding of residents automatic and frictionless. 

Maximizing Apartment Living with the Benefits of Managed WiFi 

Managed WiFi offers numerous benefits for residents and property owners. For residents, it means reliable internet access without the hassle of managing individual connections. Property owners benefit from simplified network management, reduced operational overhead, and increased tenant satisfaction.  

You can learn more about Managed WiFi+ on Dojo Networks’ website. If you’re a MDU property owner or manager and want to know if Managed WiFi+ is appropriate for your property, contact us for a quick, free consultation. 

FAQs 

How does the installation process work for Managed WiFi+?  

Our installation process begins with a thorough assessment of your property to determine the optimal placement of access points for maximum coverage and performance. Our professional team then handles the deployment of access points and network configuration to ensure smooth integration with your existing or planned infrastructure. 

What pricing options are available for Managed WiFi+ services? 

We offer flexible pricing options tailored to fit the unique needs and budget of your property. Our packages are based on factors such as property size, bandwidth requirements, and additional features. Contact us for a customized quote that aligns with your specific requirements. 

What level of customer support is provided with Managed WiFi+?  

We provide comprehensive customer support to ensure that your managed WiFi experience is hassle-free. Our dedicated support team is available 24/7 to address any technical issues or questions that arise. Additionally, we offer proactive network monitoring and regular maintenance to optimize performance and reliability. 

Discover how Dojo Networks' unique Managed WiFi+ solution can transform the internet experience for your property’s residents and employees. Contact us today to learn more about our customizable packages and schedule a consultation. Let's elevate your property's connectivity to the next level together.