Fluke Networks has announced the AirMapper App, the first application for Android that provides a visual heat map of WiFi throughput performance on smartphone and tablet devices.

While existing solutions can map speed and signal strength or perform throughput spot checks, the AirMapper App is the first to provide a visual throughput map, which is key to optimising Wi-Fi networks by taking the actual user experience of mobile devices into account.

Wayne Allen, program manager, Fluke Networks, said, “Full bars do not mean a mobile device is working properly on the network, and given the explosive growth of bring your own device (BYOD), Fluke Networks’ customers have been clamouring for solutions that help ensure smart devices are working properly on enterprise Wi-Fi networks.”

Despite the growth of BYOD, a recent Fluke Networks market research study shows many organisations are not yet ready to address performance challenges with mobile devices in the workplace. Nearly 82 per cent of organisations let employees use personal mobile devices on the wireless LAN (WLAN). However, 51 per cent are concerned with how BYOD will affect bandwidth consumption. 

Less than half* of these organisations are planning to redesign their wireless networks to meet the new performance expectation associated with mobile devices, despite 42 per cent of end users being concerned about slow connections.

AirMapper helps organisations bridge this performance gap and design wireless networks that meet business and user expectations (for more BYOD data, see Fluke Networks’ latest infographic).

In addition to providing a heat map of actual throughput on smart devices, the AirMapper App provides details of the Wi-Fi network, including access point (AP) channel as well as signal and security properties, helping ensure the delivery of critical business applications. Users also have the ability to locate any AP on a floor map, and add text, photo, audio or video annotations during the site survey.

With the AirMapper App, users can also export site survey projects to AirMagnet Survey PRO via email, Dropbox, Evernote®, Bluetooth and more, for streamlined information sharing and advanced analysis and reporting.