Unified Technology Solutions

Wireless Keyboards and Mice in a Business Enviroment.

We all hate wires, and luckily we live in a world were wireless is often an option. But wireless has it’s disadvantages and just because you can go wireless with something doesn’t mean you should. I’m not talking about wireless networks today, that is a whole other discussion, today I am talking about wireless keyboards and mice and their use in a business environment,

Business environments pose some special requirements due to the large number of PCs and users in a small area, and you must be aware of this when purchasing wireless equipment. Interference is a big concern both from other users as well as from other equipment in the office, some sources of interference include radios, mobile phones, desktop fans, fluorescent lights, wireless routers, and even large metal objects like filing cabinets. And the biggest cause of interference is often….. the wireless keyboard at your neighbors desk.

Inexpensive units separate units by frequency, and many units only have 2 or 3 frequencies they can operate on, this means if you try to put more then a few units in the same area that there is a high possibility you will end up with more then one unit sharing the frequency and this leads to the “Ghost” movements and typing we often see in office locations as one users input shows up on another users screen.

You can resolve the interference issue from other units for a large part by purchasing the more expensive Bluetooth units, these share a single frequency but separate units through security codes and encryption to make sure the correct unit talks to the correct PC. Unfortunately Bluetooth shares the same frequency as standard WiFi b/g wireless. So if you have a wireless network you may have issues where the units can not talk, especially if you are near the access point or your PC uses a wireless card to connect to the network.

My Suggestion is to save money and use a wired keyboard, then spring for the Bluetooth Mouse, this works out about the same price as a wireless set and do you really notice whether the keyboard is wired or not?

If you are considering going wireless I suggest you talk to your on-site tech first and by this I mean the computer guy who comes to your office and fixes your issues, don’t take the word of the salesman at the local computer store. Actually I know it is harsh but I would not take the advice of a salesman at the local or big box store for any business technology related purchase unless they also do your on-site work ,  just because something works great on a home PC does not mean it will work well in an office environment. Special knowledge and training is needed to know how each part of the system affects the others in business networks. This knowledge can only be gained through experience, experience that they would not be working there if they had.