New Location Deployment Checklist

New location deployments fail when steps get skipped. The site survey that didn't happen. The carrier coverage that wasn't tested. The firewall rules that weren't configured until day one.

This checklist covers six phases. Complete each phase before moving to the next.

• Building specificationsSquare footage, number of floors, ceiling height. Construction materials (metal, concrete, glass) affect signal penetration.
• Floor plan with device locationsMark where POS terminals, workstations, tablets, and other devices will be located. Note distances from potential router placement.
• Existing infrastructureWhat's already in place? Ethernet runs, cable/fiber availability, existing ISP service, wiring closets or server rooms.
• Power availabilityLocation of outlets near planned equipment. UPS requirements for critical devices. Generator backup if applicable.
• Physical security requirementsDoes equipment need to be in a locked closet? Tamper-proof enclosures? Out of customer view?
• Environmental conditionsTemperature extremes (warehouse, outdoor, kitchen). Dust, moisture, or vibration that affects equipment selection.

• Coverage map reviewCheck Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and regional carrier coverage maps for the address.
• On-site signal testingTest actual signal strength inside the building with devices from each carrier. Test in multiple locations.
• Speed testingRun speed tests at different times of day. Coverage doesn't guarantee bandwidth.
• Primary carrier selectionBased on testing, select the primary carrier. Document signal strength (dBm) and speed test results.
• Failover carrier selectionIf uptime is critical, select a backup carrier on a different network.
• SIM orderingOrder SIMs with appropriate data plans. Allow 3-5 business days for activation.

• Router selectionBased on bandwidth needs, number of devices, and failover requirements. Document model, quantity, and accessories.
• Antenna requirementsInternal antennas sufficient, or does weak signal require external antennas? Directional vs. omnidirectional based on tower location.
• Access pointsNumber and placement of WiFi access points based on floor plan and device density.
• Switches and cablingNetwork switches if wired connections needed. PoE requirements for access points or cameras.
• UPS/power protectionBattery backup for network equipment. Size based on load and required runtime during power outage.
• Hardware ordered and receivedConfirm all equipment is ordered, delivery dates, and received in good condition.

• Router configurationFirmware updated, SIM installed and tested, APN configured, failover rules set, VPN tunnels configured if required.
• Network configurationVLAN setup, IP addressing scheme, DHCP scopes, DNS settings. Document everything.
• Firewall rulesInbound and outbound rules configured. PCI-DSS or other compliance requirements addressed. Only necessary ports open.
• WiFi configurationSSIDs created, security settings (WPA3 preferred), channels selected, guest network isolated.
• Monitoring setupDevice added to monitoring platform. Alerts configured for connectivity loss, high latency, failover events.
• Staging testFull test of configured equipment before shipping. Verify connectivity, failover, VPN, and all services.

• Site access confirmedInstallation date scheduled, site contact identified, access instructions provided.
• Equipment physically installedRouters, access points, switches mounted. Antennas positioned for optimal signal. Cable management complete.
• Power and connectivity verifiedAll devices powered on, cellular connection established, WAN connectivity confirmed, failover tested on-site.
• WiFi coverage verifiedWalk the floor plan with a WiFi analyzer. Confirm adequate signal strength in all areas.

• End-device connectivityConnect all devices (POS, tablets, workstations, IoT). Verify each device can reach required services.
• Application testingTest critical applications: POS transactions, credit card processing, VoIP calls, video conferencing, cloud app access.
• Documentation completeNetwork diagram updated, IP assignments documented, serial numbers recorded, support contacts provided to site staff.