So, where are you?

Here are Aberdeen's recommended steps.

For those in the lowest scoring group:

* Start an in-depth performance and security assessment; inventory what you have, buy and use the basic tools for diagnosis, analysis and planning.

* Get the help you need: improve IT and help desk Wi-Fi expertise, evaluate outsourced support services.

* Lock down and lock up your wireless network.

For those in the average group:

* If you haven't done so, shift to a centralized approach for managing and monitoring the Wi-Fi network, and for deploying network updates.

* Start measuring: You can't improve what you don't measure, and you will need tools to be able to see into the WLAN in order to know what's happening and why.

* Allocate bandwidth priorities for applications, and for users including guests or visitors. About 75% of companies in this group are doing neither.

For those in the top group:

* Run cost-benefit analyses for bandwidth upgrades to see if they're worth it; and measure afterwards to see if you're getting what you expected.

* Use pilot programs for new gear, to uncover incompatibilities and performance problems.

* Create benchmarks for what is "normal" Wi-Fi application performance, and make sure you can measure whether your wireless network is meeting them.