Suzanne Mattaboni
Suzanne Mattaboni Communications
For D&H Distributing
(610) 737-2140
suzanne@mattaboni.com

For Immediate Release:

D&H CANADA'S WIFI 6 OFFERINGS HELP PARTNERS ACCOMMODATE HIGH-PERFORMANCE CONNECTIVITY FOR HOME WORKERS

- This Next-Gen Protocol Has Become a Mainstream Addition to 2020's Computing Devices and Routers, Helping to Boost Bandwidth in Consumer Environments and Meet Demands of the COVID-19 Teleworker Boon -

HARRISBURG, PA - June 29, 2020 - D&H Distributing, a major provider of SMB and consumer technologies to the North American high-tech channel, is spearheading an effort to drive WiFi 6-enabled networks in the marketplace, including Intel-powered laptops, routers from Cisco, NETGEAR, and ASUS; plus an array of smart home devices. D&H's effort to help partners implement WiFi 6-enabled equipment addresses the explosive growth of more sophisticated work-from-home (WFH) networks due to social distancing, and the extensive new bandwidth requirements of these environments.

The trend toward WiFi 6 and 5G devices evolved from the efficiency levels that employees have become used to in the workplace, including instant-on computing and nearly non-existent latency. Now as the business community adjusts to COVID-19's changes to their environments, teleworkers have more frequently needed to conduct business from their households, which often required them to share bandwidth with family members. Many industry experts predict that a certain percentage of telecommuting will continue to be status quo in the professional community going forward, now that WFH networks have been successfully implemented in so many contexts.

This scenario often results in working spouses and children simultaneously consuming bandwidth for videoconferences, distance learning, streaming media, and gaming, amid a host of WiFi- or Alexa-enabled devices on the network. The WiFi 6 standard brings performance in these non-commercial settings back on par with the typical office infrastructure.

These home-based networks are now being dubbed "ProSumer" environments, reflecting a combination of business and consumer activities. Users have the choice to implement either out-of-the-box or more configurable WiFi 6-enabled routers from manufacturers like ASUS, Cisco, and NETGEAR. For example, TP-Link's high-speed Archer routers perform well in robust ProSumer applications. Additional systems like NETGEAR's Orbi home "mesh" computing solution involves multiple access points that are distributed throughout an environment to balance connectivity, avoiding dead spots in different rooms or floors. Or for more flexibility, advanced routers like the NETGEAR Nighthawk allow users to configure the unit as a wireless router or a repeating access point.

In addition to streaming and conferencing needs, many homeowners have accumulated a collection of smart devices or appliances that depend on the Internet to deliver automated and Amazon Alexa-compatible features. This could include anything from IP surveillance solutions to connected lighting, thermostats, and door openers. All these units compete for bandwidth as they perform functions, report to phone apps, or interact with media hubs like the Echo.

"WiFi 6 has become much more prevalent in mobile devices, including many of the latest laptops and PCs from manufacturers such as MSI, HP, and Lenovo with Intel i7 core processors," said Tom Guagliardi, D&H's vice president of sales and vendor management, Canada. "In addition, the market has seen the launch of powerful WiFi 6-enabled routers for home and small-office environments from major industry manufacturers. Consumers whose devices incorporate this next-gen protocol will want to utilize these powerful WiFi 6-enabled routers to take advantage of the robust capabilities their new hardware can deliver."

The upgraded standard also has applications in the custom install market, where integrators typically deploy commercial grade televisions or large-format displays and high performance WiFi networks using technology such as Cisco Meraki or HPE's Aruba products. These and the Ubiquiti UniFi routers are consumer solutions from top enterprise networking manufacturers that have created powerful ProSumer versions of their offerings. D&H's experts can help partners in a variety of market settings develop turnkey WiFi 6 solutions.

Many of these ProSumers are sourcing high-performance connectivity products through retail markets, creating an opportunity for both dealers and installers. This trend is being driven not just by the increased use of videoconferencing or connected, in-home office equipment, but also from the growing number of bandwidth-dependent devices that are being added to home networks, from streaming media devices to Alexa-enabled electrical outlets to smart appliances. Demand will persist as new devices continue to come to market.

D&H Canada partners can call (800) 340-1008 to speak to a representative, or visit www.dandh.ca to browse the distributor's selection of WiFi 6-enabled routers, end-points, and smart devices.

About D&H Distributing

D&H Canada believes the most important element of doing business is developing relationships for mutual success, delivering superior engagement experiences to its community of partners and team members. The company continues to build upon its 100-year-old culture, providing a wealth of partner enablement resources, multi-market expertise, and consultative services. D&H maintains a focus on independent VAR and MSP partners, expanding their competencies in areas such as cloud services, ProAV, UCC, server and storage, and core networking technologies across a range of markets. Its value proposition includes highly-lauded training opportunities and partner engagement events, dedicated Solutions Specialists, certifications, and professional marketing resources.

The distributor has its Canadian headquarters in Brampton, ON, and its US headquarters in Harrisburg, PA. Additional warehouses are located in Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Fresno, CA, and Vancouver, BC, Canada. Engage with D&H toll-free at (800) 340-1008, via www.dandh.ca, or follow the distributor's LinkedIn and Twitter feeds, https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandhdistributing/ and @dandh_ca.

#