Over the past years I have seen multi-billion $ and million $ companies market their competencies in the wireless domain. A majority of these firms started in the "networking end of things" and with the advent of 802.11b being approved in 1999, delved into "wireless" as perhaps another practice.
Understanding the nuances of RF is not so much learned by walking around with software on a laptop and conducting a site survey. It take years of knowledge, field experience, and learning just what makes a WLAN or other wireless medium work. Seen my share of "wireless science projects" turn into major train wrecks.
So in searching for that firm, be sure to go beyond that they are a "partner" of a certain technology provider or that they can provide a performance contract. Ask the tough questions.
What has been their experience on similar projects? In healthcare have they been able to point to references where they have implemented complex and technical designs?
Do they have the dedicated technical resources?
How do they conduct a WLAN design for an existing building or a "new" non-constructed building? How will they validate that design for "quality of service"?
Are they trying to "boil the ocean" and make claims about we do everything in "wireless"?
Look at their business perspective? Are they approaching this from a consultative process to help engineer everything for the best operational aspects of your application? Or are they just trying to sell you hardware?
How much do they invest in staff training and certifications? What are their specific wireless certifications?
