Zyxel Networks has announced the launch of its inaugural industrial-grade wireless access point, the BE5000 4-Stream WiFi 7 Dual-Radio NebulaFlex Pro Industrial Access Point (IAP500BE).
Designed specifically for demanding indoor environments such as warehouses, storage facilities, and maintenance workshops, the IAP500BE combines rugged durability, extended coverage, and ultra-fast WiFi 7 performance to support industrial digital transformation initiatives.
As industrial environments become increasingly interconnected, ensuring reliable connectivity remains a significant challenge. Harsh conditions, signal interference, and outdated WiFi infrastructure often create network bottlenecks that hamper productivity. Zyxel’s IAP500BE addresses these issues by enabling businesses to extend high-speed WiFi across expansive factory floors and hard-to-reach corners, fostering seamless operational workflows.
The IAP500BE leverages WiFi 7 technology, providing multi-gigabit connectivity with ultra-low latency, ideal for supporting factory equipment, sensors, mobile devices, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and control systems. Its industry-first Smart Mesh MLO (Multi-Link Operation) combines multi-link operation with mesh networking to establish a dual-radio mesh backhaul, increasing throughput by up to 40% and extending coverage. Additionally, the RF-First design incorporates antenna isolation technology and optimised layouts to minimise interference from nearby WiFi, Bluetooth, and mobile networks, resulting in cleaner, stronger signals vital for industrial environments.
Built to withstand tough conditions, the IAP500BE features a metal housing and fanless design to endure impacts, dust, and oil ingress while maintaining efficient heat dissipation. It operates reliably in temperatures ranging from -25°C to 65°C, with 6KV lightning protection and 15KV ESD safeguards to prevent weather-related and electrical damage. Dual power inputs with reverse polarity support ensure continuous operation during power failures or wiring issues, reducing maintenance costs.
The device offers versatile deployment options, including mounting on DIN rails, wall mounting, or enclosure installation, with external antenna support to optimise coverage. Management flexibility is a key feature; it can operate standalone, integrate with on-premises controllers, or be managed via Zyxel’s Nebula Cloud platform. Each Nebula-managed unit includes a one-year Nebula Pro Pack license for advanced cloud features, enabling scalable, efficient network management and easy upgrades.
