Beyond the Four Walls: Building Networks That Last

Some of my earliest lessons came long before INS. I started working as “Johnny the Dock Boy” at age 11 in Minnesota. Spending summers on the lake taught me practical problem-solving, working with people, and thinking on my feet, skills that translate directly to designing complex networks today. Later, traveling extensively with my family showed me the beauty of mobile networks: you can have your own network anywhere. That perspective influences how I approach every customer engagement: flexible, adaptable, and grounded in real-world experience.

When people think about industrial networking, they often imagine something confined to a single building: switches, gateways, and routers tucked away on the factory floor. But connectivity isn’t just about what happens inside four walls. At INS, we think bigger. We design networks that extend from the floor to the door to the street. It’s about providing seamless, reliable connectivity wherever your business operates, and building it to last for years, not just months.

The Holistic Approach to Wireless Connectivity

One of the biggest misconceptions about INS is that we’re just an “inside-the-walls company.” In reality, our solutions go far beyond that. We don’t just provide hardware; we provide end-to-end networks. Multi-carrier SIMs, private cellular, satellite options, eSIMs—these are all tools we use to build smarter, more robust networks tailored to each customer’s unique environment.

I’ve been in wireless since 1996, starting with handsets and mobile devices, moving through smaller companies, and finally joining INS. Now, after 21 years here, I oversee enterprise sales, strategy, and go-to-market initiatives while guiding our nationwide sales team on wireless engagements. I’ve seen firsthand that building the right network isn’t about selling hardware; it’s about solving problems and creating systems that make sense for today and tomorrow.

Why Discovery is Critical

Networks fail when you skip discovery. Many companies assume that a single solution will work everywhere, but there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. At INS, we start by understanding the customer’s current environment, their goals, and what success looks like years down the line.

Take a recent project with a large financial institution. They wanted wireless devices deployed outside their buildings. On the surface, it might seem straightforward, but this was anything but plug-and-play. From site surveys to coordinating nationwide installations, we designed a system that met extremely precise requirements. Initially scheduled for 18 months, we completed it 3 months ahead of time. The ROI for the customer came faster than expected, and they avoided costly missteps because of upfront planning. Their feedback? “We thought we knew all the answers, but INS provided the solution that made us more efficient and successful.”

Planning for the Long Term

A network isn’t just a tool for today. It’s the backbone of your business for the next five, ten, or twenty years. That’s why we focus on planning and redundancy. You can’t rely on a single carrier or one connection to handle everything. Networks must be resilient, flexible, and able to prioritize bandwidth based on the application. That’s how you optimize efficiency and ensure uptime, even when traffic spikes or unexpected events occur.

Experience and Collaboration Make the Difference

What sets INS apart is our depth of resources and collaboration. Solutions engineers, project managers, and post-sales support all working together to ensure every network is robust and future-ready. Our team draws from decades of experience, combining wired and wireless expertise with a deep understanding of customer needs.

That breadth of knowledge allows us to tackle projects that might seem impossible. Multi-carrier SIMs, private cellular networks, or satellite connectivity aren’t just buzzwords. They’re tools that give our clients flexibility and reliability. We can slice networks, prioritize applications, and build in redundancy to ensure uptime. A single-point focus might work temporarily, but for businesses that rely on connectivity, redundancy isn’t optional. It’s essential.

Connectivity Trends Shaping the Next 3-5 Years

Wireless networks are only going to get more complex. Bandwidth demands are rising, redundancy will be more critical, and satellite connectivity will play a larger role. Companies that embrace multiple carriers and diverse connectivity options will see lower costs, higher reliability, and networks that can adapt to changing business needs.

The key is building logically, in steps. Don’t overextend. Start with a strong foundation that fits your budget and scales with your business. Every addition should enhance the network’s reliability and efficiency. INS works with customers to make these strategic decisions, ensuring each step builds toward a long-term solution.

Why We Do What We Do at INS

At INS, we’re not a “one-and-done” company. We’re invested in your success from day one through post-sales support. We combine experience, resources, and a consultative approach to build networks that not only meet today’s needs but also prepare you for tomorrow’s challenges.

Technology alone isn’t enough. A network is only as good as the planning, strategy, and people behind it. That’s why we focus on understanding your business, discovering what matters, and creating a system that works for you for years to come. Connectivity is the backbone of modern business, and when done right, it’s a source of confidence and opportunity. That’s what inspires me every day at INS: helping companies move beyond the four walls and build networks that truly last.