Wi-Fi stands for Wireless Fidelity. It refers to the standardized way that computers and other electronic equipment can communicate wirelessly. For example, with the right equipment a laptop can be wirelessly linked to any other equipment that uses the same technology. With that laptop then, you could, for example, access your work files on your desktop computer, surf the Internet through your home's Internet connection, receive images from a wireless camera, and more, all from your living room couch.

The major application of wireless technology is in networking. Wirelessly connecting computers in any business has many advantages. These wireless LAN's (or WLAN's) offers an increase in the freedom information flow within the business. Wireless networks are normally implemented at boardrooms, warehousing and Wi-Fi Hotspots.

A Wi-Fi Hotspot is a term describing a location that provides the wireless technology to its clients. A Hotspot can be anything from a coffee shop to a hotel lounge. It allows its clients the ability to connect wirelessly to the Internet or another computer via the Internet, provided the clients have Wi-Fi enabled systems.

These days, sending mail or copying files across the network isn't something that happens once a day. You want to be able to be in constant communication whether you're at the office, waiting to board a plane at Johannesburg International Airport or at your hotel in New York. It is the vision of ubiquitous computing where cabling and 'out of office' replies are a thing of the past.
Wi-Fi helps you keep in contact from any location that possesses the equipment. It allows users in the office to maintain their office network from anywhere in the building. Employee's can meet in conference rooms, or even the cafeteria, and never lose their connection. Businesses can move locations without having to install a new network infrastructure.
Hotels will attract clients from around the world by offering them the reality of being in constant contact with their companies and loved ones. On a business trip, feedback can be transferred whilst relaxing in the hotel lounge instead of struggling to find an Internet connection.
Conference centres with WLAN will be able to offer the service of video conferencing and allow arriving delegates to be in constant communication with each other and their respective companies. Presentations can be given without the restriction of only one screen. Instead it can be viewed on every laptop in the room without requiring network points to be installed for each user.
Sales representatives will be able to accompany their perspective customers to view the products and can have constant information for merchandise to answer any questions and to supply all the detail needed to make the sale.
Home users can complete last minute work sitting at the poolside whilst their kids are surfing the Internet in the lounge. The cook can be working from a recipe on the Internet whilst moving the notebook to the most convenient point in the kitchen.
Wi-Fi is not a future dream but a reality that's hitting hard. It's enabling people to work more efficiently, from anywhere they want to; and it's only a matter of time before you can connect from any coffee shop, conference centre or hotel in the world.

A survey by Jupiter Research finds that more than half (57 percent) of U.S. companies already support wireless networks. Furthermore, nearly another quarter (22 percent) plan to implement and support this technology over the coming years. Jupiter found that small businesses - those with less than $10 million in annual revenue - are the deployment leaders, with 83 percent stating that they either support 802.11 networks today or plan to in the next 12 months. Comparatively, 71 percent of U.S. large businesses (defined as those generating $100 million or more in annual revenue) are supporting 802.11 networks or will do so in the next 12 months.

Market research by Allied Business Intelligence, 10/2001, shows the wireless market has grown from revenues being $71 million in 1999 to $257 million in 2000 and forecasts the revenues will grow to $946 million by 2006. Market research on sales alone of wireless equipment by Synergy Research Group, 12/2001, suggests it will hit around $3.5 billion annually by the end of 2005.

Comments from IBM news (http://www.ibm.com/news/za/2002/12/za_021211.html) involving wireless Hotspots in South Africa were:
"By giving business travelers high-speed Internet access over a wireless network, South African airports, hotels, shopping malls, restaurants and coffee shops can significantly increase revenue streams - by millions in the case of larger organizations… … A coffee shop, with an initial investment of R150, 000 in a wireless hotspot, would see a full return on investment in only six months and increase its monthly revenue by between R20,000 and R30,000… … And, WLAN's statistics prove that return on investment on wireless hotspots in the travel industry never takes longer than nine months… … Technology-savvy customers, like business travelers, prefer venues that can ensure that they are always connected. IBM itself, for instance, always routes its mobile workers through hotspot-enabled hospitality venues… … And the more choice and comfort you can give a traveler, the more loyalty you build for your organization."