Wireless LAN Users Reveal Views on Security, “Hotspot” Services InSage Research Technology Roundtable, “WLANs in the Enterprise”

    Natick, MA-August 19, 2002-Sage Research, Inc., a full-service market research and consulting firm, today announced it has published the findings of the August Sage Technology Roundtable, “WLANs in the Enterprise.” In the session, which took place on August 5, 2002, participants-nine IT decision-makers and users at various companies-talked at length about their views and experiences on several aspects of this fast-growing technology. Most talked-about was security, one of the most controversial issues surrounding wireless LANs. The participants also covered mobile WAN connectivity, “hotspot” providers, and the main reasons they use WLANs in their companies.

    “While it may not come as a surprise that WLAN security was discussed most, our respondents had provocative things to say on the topic,” said Chris Neal, a research director at Sage Research. “First, many participants have separated the company’s WLANs from the network to limit data exposure, and everyone is using 128-bit encryption now. Second, participants were split as some prefer to wait for the 802.1x standard, while others, particularly those in the finance and healthcare industries, are prepared to pay premiums now for advanced, proprietary security features .”

    The Sage Technology Roundtables is a monthly series of online focus groups with qualified high-tech enterprise decision-makers that examines the critical issues surrounding a specific technology or service. A complete transcript and summary of “WLANs in the Enterprise” are available for purchase by clicking on the SageStore link on the Sage Research home page, www.sageresearch.com.

Sample Findings from “WLANs in the Enterprise”

· Most participants do not rely on WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) alone to secure their WLANs. Also, many of the them isolate their WLANs from the rest of the network.

· Participants are mixed on whether they would pay premiums for advanced, proprietary security features. Healthcare and finance companies are more likely to pay premiums, while manufacturers are more likely to wait for standards to evolve.

· No participants use IPSec VPN clients for added WLAN security. Most of them see no need for it, while several are concerned about bandwidth implications.

· Participants see value in a seamless 3G/WLAN service for mobile WAN connectivity. Security is of extremely high concern, however. Also of note is that none of the participants currently uses WLAN “hotspot” providers.

· Increased employee productivity, convenience, and lower costs are the main drivers for adopting WLANs. Participants cited the ability for employees to use network laptops in conference rooms, the lower costs of networking new and remote sites, and the ease of moving or adding employee desks as the primary drivers.

    Sage Research selects Sage Technology Roundtable participants from the Sage Enterprise Panel, which includes thousands of professionals who evaluate, use and purchase information technology-related products. Panel members include CIOs, CFOs, Network Managers, IS Managers, COOs, and departmental managers from Operations, Sales and Marketing, and Finance. Companies of all sizes and from all industries are represented in the Sage Technology Panel.

    Professionally trained Sage Research staff moderate the Sage Technology Roundtables, and participants are pre-screened for relevant technology knowledge and decision-making authority. Journalists are welcome to observe. To do so, please contact Doug Haslam at dhaslam@sageresearch.com, or (508) 655-5400, ext. 292.

    The Next Sage Technology Roundtable

    Each Sage Technology Roundtable focuses on a particular technology, examining demand drivers and obstacles, features and functionality priorities, and vendor selection criteria. To participate or observe in the next Roundtable, visit http://sageresearch.com/FocusForm_a.htm. The next Roundtable topic is:

Vertical Roundtable: Government
 (Tuesday, September 17^{th, 7:00-8:30 pm EDT). The September Roundtable will discuss technology equipment and service priorities with IT/Networking decision-makers at government institutions. Key issues will include:}

· What are the technology spending priorities for government institutions this year and next? What new IT/networking initiatives are underway or in the planning phase? Are their IT/networking budgets increasing, decreasing, or staying the same next year?

· What are the decision-making processes and vendor selection criteria for IT/networking equipment and service purchases?

· What IT and networking functions do government institutions currently outsource? What would they ideally like to outsource, and what would have to change for them to start outsourcing these components?

· What are the current IT/networking “sources of pain” for government institutions? What would they like to fix or improve if the right solution were available at the right price point? What are they not currently getting from their existing solution providers?

    About Sage Research
    ^{Sage Research, Inc. is a full-service market research and consulting firm providing global demand-side research to technology product and service providers. With in-depth experience in the networking and telecommunications markets, Sage delivers actionable data and recommendations based on the most current qualitative and quantitative methods. Practice areas include customer loyalty, market segmentation, brand equity, business case validation, technology adoption, and product concept testing. Founded in 1993, Sage serves a broad client base that includes industry leaders and innovative start-ups. For more information, visit www.sageresearch.com.}

# # #

^{Contact: 
Doug Haslam
Marketing Manager
Sage Research Inc.
220 North Main St
Natick, MA 01760
v: 508.655.5400 x292
dhaslam@sageresearch.com 
www.sageresearch.com}