We've made a video guide to help you setup your own hotspots. From time to time we'll post new tutorial videos so stay tuned :)
PART 1: Change firmare to DD-WRT
PART 2: Run the setup command
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Friday, November 9, 2007
Support for custom splash pages (Walled Garden)
You can now use a custom splash page for your locations. This is a page that will be shown to your hotspot user first (f.e. an info page). Then you have to place a link back to our site so the user can continue to get access to the hotspot and log in.
You have to host the page so be sure that it is working permanently. All files have to come from the same domain name, do not place links to external sites or embed graphics and ads from an external server, it won't work. We can also host it for you if you want.
The most important thing is you have to be sure that the link back to our site is highly visible for your users, so they can find it easily.
You can modify the URL in the operator area (HotSpot Locations > Click on the name > Modify Hotspot data).
After you modified the URL, some changes have to be made for this thing to work. You have to run the setup command again or you can modify the firmware settings manually.
You have to host the page so be sure that it is working permanently. All files have to come from the same domain name, do not place links to external sites or embed graphics and ads from an external server, it won't work. We can also host it for you if you want.
The most important thing is you have to be sure that the link back to our site is highly visible for your users, so they can find it easily.
You can modify the URL in the operator area (HotSpot Locations > Click on the name > Modify Hotspot data).
After you modified the URL, some changes have to be made for this thing to work. You have to run the setup command again or you can modify the firmware settings manually.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
HotSpot In Motion - Press Release
Moovera powers in-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot billing with HotSpotSystem.com
Mobile hotspot-in-a-box offering supports vouchers, credit card payments for public transport Internet access
Sittingbourne, UK (PR Web) November 1st 2007 -- Moovera Networks, a leading developer of fixed and mobile wireless broadband technology, and HotSpotSystem.com, creators of the Instant Hotspot Wi-Fi service management platform, have announced a mobile hotspot-in-a-box offering that simplifies the deployment of free and pay-per-use Wi-Fi services for transport operators worldwide. Called ‘Hotspot in Motion’, the solution combines the HotspotSystem.com hosted billing service with Moovera’s Moovbox family of ruggedized cellular routers to create a hassle-free way of deploying commercial Wi-Fi hotspots for in-vehicle Internet connectivity.
“Enhancing the passenger experience is a top priority for transport operators, and on-board Wi-Fi Internet access is rapidly becoming a sought-after service”, said Jim Baker, CEO and founder of Moovera Networks. “The integration of our Moovbox M100 mobile broadband gateway with HotSpotSystem.com’s Instant Hotspot hosted billing platform gives operators the maximum flexibility as they plan their Wi-Fi strategy by supporting free access and voucher or credit card payments.” Moovera has built support for the Instant Hotspot service directly into the Moovbox access point firmware, requiring minimal configuration to get a commercial Wi-Fi hotspot up and running. The Moovbox M100 is a rugged, industrial-grade mobile cellular router and 802.11a/b/g access point that provides Internet connectivity on moving vehicles such as buses, coaches, trains and taxis by backhauling traffic over carrier-class wide area data networks including 3G UMTS/HSPA and WiMAX.
HotSpotSystem.com’s HotSpot in Motion offering is available in two different versions; HotSpot Free provides voucher-based authorization where Wi-Fi access can be controlled with time, bandwidth and traffic limits. HotSpot Pro adds support for billing via credit and debit cards, PayPal and pre-paid vouchers. “The combination of our hosted hotspot management service and Moovera’s market leading mobile broadband hardware provides – for the first time – a complete solution for mobile Wi-Fi hotspots,” said Roland Kosarszky, Managing Director at HotSpotSytem.com. “Our customer base comprises hundreds of Wi-Fi operators with thousands of hotspots in traditional locations such as hotels, airports and businesses, where hotspots are connected to the Internet using wireline services such as DSL. Now, via our partnership with Moovera, our customers can leverage high-speed cellular data networks to extend their service offering onto transportation and other places where wireline broadband connectivity is not available.”
The Moovbox M100 also offers secure Ethernet for in-vehicle systems such as IP-CCTV, DVR and telematics equipment, and features a built-in GPS receiver. In addition to passenger Internet services, with the Moovbox gateway fleet operators have remote in-bound access to their vehicles’ systems while in motion. Furthermore, the hosted Moovsuite management platform provides real-time vehicle tracking, remote device configuration, and Wi-Fi usage statistics. HotSpotSystem.com’s billing service also operates with the outdoor Moovbox F100 Fixed Broadband Gateway, suitable for campus and metro scale Wi-Fi hotzones. More information is available online at www.moovera.com.
About Moovera Networks
Based in the United Kingdom, Moovera Networks is a privately-held manufacturer of industrial-grade fixed, mobile and portable wireless communications products that bridge Wi-Fi access with carrier-class networks including WiMAX, TD-CDMA, HC-SDMA and 3G UMTS/HSPA. Applications inccellular data networks to extend their service offering onto transportation and other placorporate communications.
Mobile hotspot-in-a-box offering supports vouchers, credit card payments for public transport Internet access
Sittingbourne, UK (PR Web) November 1st 2007 -- Moovera Networks, a leading developer of fixed and mobile wireless broadband technology, and HotSpotSystem.com, creators of the Instant Hotspot Wi-Fi service management platform, have announced a mobile hotspot-in-a-box offering that simplifies the deployment of free and pay-per-use Wi-Fi services for transport operators worldwide. Called ‘Hotspot in Motion’, the solution combines the HotspotSystem.com hosted billing service with Moovera’s Moovbox family of ruggedized cellular routers to create a hassle-free way of deploying commercial Wi-Fi hotspots for in-vehicle Internet connectivity.
“Enhancing the passenger experience is a top priority for transport operators, and on-board Wi-Fi Internet access is rapidly becoming a sought-after service”, said Jim Baker, CEO and founder of Moovera Networks. “The integration of our Moovbox M100 mobile broadband gateway with HotSpotSystem.com’s Instant Hotspot hosted billing platform gives operators the maximum flexibility as they plan their Wi-Fi strategy by supporting free access and voucher or credit card payments.” Moovera has built support for the Instant Hotspot service directly into the Moovbox access point firmware, requiring minimal configuration to get a commercial Wi-Fi hotspot up and running. The Moovbox M100 is a rugged, industrial-grade mobile cellular router and 802.11a/b/g access point that provides Internet connectivity on moving vehicles such as buses, coaches, trains and taxis by backhauling traffic over carrier-class wide area data networks including 3G UMTS/HSPA and WiMAX.
HotSpotSystem.com’s HotSpot in Motion offering is available in two different versions; HotSpot Free provides voucher-based authorization where Wi-Fi access can be controlled with time, bandwidth and traffic limits. HotSpot Pro adds support for billing via credit and debit cards, PayPal and pre-paid vouchers. “The combination of our hosted hotspot management service and Moovera’s market leading mobile broadband hardware provides – for the first time – a complete solution for mobile Wi-Fi hotspots,” said Roland Kosarszky, Managing Director at HotSpotSytem.com. “Our customer base comprises hundreds of Wi-Fi operators with thousands of hotspots in traditional locations such as hotels, airports and businesses, where hotspots are connected to the Internet using wireline services such as DSL. Now, via our partnership with Moovera, our customers can leverage high-speed cellular data networks to extend their service offering onto transportation and other places where wireline broadband connectivity is not available.”
The Moovbox M100 also offers secure Ethernet for in-vehicle systems such as IP-CCTV, DVR and telematics equipment, and features a built-in GPS receiver. In addition to passenger Internet services, with the Moovbox gateway fleet operators have remote in-bound access to their vehicles’ systems while in motion. Furthermore, the hosted Moovsuite management platform provides real-time vehicle tracking, remote device configuration, and Wi-Fi usage statistics. HotSpotSystem.com’s billing service also operates with the outdoor Moovbox F100 Fixed Broadband Gateway, suitable for campus and metro scale Wi-Fi hotzones. More information is available online at www.moovera.com.
About Moovera Networks
Based in the United Kingdom, Moovera Networks is a privately-held manufacturer of industrial-grade fixed, mobile and portable wireless communications products that bridge Wi-Fi access with carrier-class networks including WiMAX, TD-CDMA, HC-SDMA and 3G UMTS/HSPA. Applications inccellular data networks to extend their service offering onto transportation and other placorporate communications.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Moovbox firmware
Here's a screenshot from the latest Moovbox firmware. It's as easy as it can be, just fill out the operator username and location id and your router is ready for HotSpot payments!
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Operator News
HOTSPOT IN MOTION
You can now create HotSpots over cellular networks with our HotSpot In Motion Product.
We teamed up with Moovera Networks, manufacturers of industrial-strength wireless communications products that bridge Wi-Fi access with carrier-class networks including WiMAX, TD-CDMA, HC-SDMA and 3G UMTS/HSPA.
You can now create Wi-Fi HotSpot in those locations where broadband connection is not available, or in public transports, buses, trains, etc.
Moovera's product line have native HotSpotSystem.com support, built in. Operators just have to type in their username and location ID into the router's admin interface. No firmware upgrade or configuration is required.
We'll post a press release about this next week, until then you can visit this page for more information:
HotSpot In Motion
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME
Dayligh saving time has changed recently in many countries, so if your country was affected, don't forget to check your location's DST settings in the Operator Area > HotSpot Locations > Click on a location > Modify Location.
If you have multiple locations in the same time zone, you just have to adjust one location, others will change automatically.
You can also set your operator's time zone DST setting in the Settings menu.
FREE TRIALS
Many of you are offering 5 minute free trials to their customers. This is a great feature but it is effective only in those cases where long access periods are offered to the customers.
We've found out that in a lot of cases coversions are too low, or it doesn't covert at all. A lot of customers are using the 5 minute trial, then they don't purchase. 5 minute is enough to check a website or check the emails. Furthermore, advanced users can modiy their MAC addresses and can use another 5 minute trial (we've seen this in some cases).
We strongly suggest that you use the 5 minute trial only if you see they are converting well enough. You can check your transactions and analyze them.
We have disabled the 5 minute trial temporarly to see if there's any effect to the conversions.
SERVER UPGRADE
A major server upgrade is coming next week. We'll let you know the exact date and time of the upgrade.
You can now create HotSpots over cellular networks with our HotSpot In Motion Product.
We teamed up with Moovera Networks, manufacturers of industrial-strength wireless communications products that bridge Wi-Fi access with carrier-class networks including WiMAX, TD-CDMA, HC-SDMA and 3G UMTS/HSPA.
You can now create Wi-Fi HotSpot in those locations where broadband connection is not available, or in public transports, buses, trains, etc.
Moovera's product line have native HotSpotSystem.com support, built in. Operators just have to type in their username and location ID into the router's admin interface. No firmware upgrade or configuration is required.
We'll post a press release about this next week, until then you can visit this page for more information:
HotSpot In Motion
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME
Dayligh saving time has changed recently in many countries, so if your country was affected, don't forget to check your location's DST settings in the Operator Area > HotSpot Locations > Click on a location > Modify Location.
If you have multiple locations in the same time zone, you just have to adjust one location, others will change automatically.
You can also set your operator's time zone DST setting in the Settings menu.
FREE TRIALS
Many of you are offering 5 minute free trials to their customers. This is a great feature but it is effective only in those cases where long access periods are offered to the customers.
We've found out that in a lot of cases coversions are too low, or it doesn't covert at all. A lot of customers are using the 5 minute trial, then they don't purchase. 5 minute is enough to check a website or check the emails. Furthermore, advanced users can modiy their MAC addresses and can use another 5 minute trial (we've seen this in some cases).
We strongly suggest that you use the 5 minute trial only if you see they are converting well enough. You can check your transactions and analyze them.
We have disabled the 5 minute trial temporarly to see if there's any effect to the conversions.
SERVER UPGRADE
A major server upgrade is coming next week. We'll let you know the exact date and time of the upgrade.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Coupon System
We proudly present a new feature for Operators: The Coupon System.
You can now create your own unique coupon codes and offer them to your HotSpot users to increase their loyalty and satisfaction.
There're two types of coupons, you can offer discounts from the price of the packages (exact amount or percent), or you can offer more minutes for them, for example they buy a 1 hour access but you can offer 30 more minutes for the same price.
The following attributes can be set for the coupons:
-Coupon code (max. 16 characters, alphabetic only, no spaces or specials) - this is the code that you'll give to your customers
-Valid from and until (this is a date)
-Coupon can be valid for only 1 or for all locations
-Coupon can be valid for credit card transactions or Pre-Paid card transactions only, or both (for Pre-Paid cards you can use bonus minutes of course)
-You can maximize the usage per person (for credit card transactions of course where users have to register)
-You can set the minimum and maximum package price where the coupon can be used with (for example they can use the coupon if they purchase a package for 5 USD or above only)
Users have to enter the coupon code on the order summary page if they pay by credit card or paypal. If they use a Pre-Paid card they can enter the code on the activation page (they can only enter bonus minutes codes of course)
Coupons can be used in the operator's locations only of course *or in 1 location only), not in the whole system.
The system is under beta testing and soon be available from the Operator Area.
If you'd like to offer coupons for your customers now, just send us the codes with all the details above and we'll create it for you.
After you have a code, you can send it to your users via email for example, after extracting their email addresses from the transactions menu.
If you have questions, just write to us via the Help Desk.
You can now create your own unique coupon codes and offer them to your HotSpot users to increase their loyalty and satisfaction.
There're two types of coupons, you can offer discounts from the price of the packages (exact amount or percent), or you can offer more minutes for them, for example they buy a 1 hour access but you can offer 30 more minutes for the same price.
The following attributes can be set for the coupons:
-Coupon code (max. 16 characters, alphabetic only, no spaces or specials) - this is the code that you'll give to your customers
-Valid from and until (this is a date)
-Coupon can be valid for only 1 or for all locations
-Coupon can be valid for credit card transactions or Pre-Paid card transactions only, or both (for Pre-Paid cards you can use bonus minutes of course)
-You can maximize the usage per person (for credit card transactions of course where users have to register)
-You can set the minimum and maximum package price where the coupon can be used with (for example they can use the coupon if they purchase a package for 5 USD or above only)
Users have to enter the coupon code on the order summary page if they pay by credit card or paypal. If they use a Pre-Paid card they can enter the code on the activation page (they can only enter bonus minutes codes of course)
Coupons can be used in the operator's locations only of course *or in 1 location only), not in the whole system.
The system is under beta testing and soon be available from the Operator Area.
If you'd like to offer coupons for your customers now, just send us the codes with all the details above and we'll create it for you.
After you have a code, you can send it to your users via email for example, after extracting their email addresses from the transactions menu.
If you have questions, just write to us via the Help Desk.
Friday, September 7, 2007
Voyageur Cafe in Ontario, Canada (Featured Client)
Temagami Outfitting Company has added Wi-Fi feature to their Cafe recently. They also provide a terminal for those who don't have a laptop but want to access the Internet while they are drinking a cafe. Both the Wi-Fi and the terminal are using HotSpot System to provide an automatic access control to the guests.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Introducing Usage-Based Packages
USAGE-BASED PACKAGES
We're introducing a new package type, called Usage-Based packages.
When a customer buys a Usage-Based package, the access will start from the first login and only logged-in minutes will count. User can logout and continue to use the internet later within the given expiration date. These type of packages usually have higher prices because unused minutes can be used later (within the given expiration date).
However - if possible - we still recommend to use our old package type (which is called Time-Based packages now). Here's why:
Usage-Based package requires more ‘knowledge’ from the user because he/she must learn how to logout properly. While we make efforts to make this simple to understand, there will be cases maybe when a user states that he logged out while the account shows the opposite. After 10 minutes of idle time we log out the user automatically, however it doesn’t certainly mean that the user will be logged out if he/she just close the browser window, because Windows and other operating systems are communicating with remote computers in the background (typical examples are Windows’ auto update system, or mail clients that check e-mails in every 5 minutes for example).
So this will raise more problems - use this only if you're sure that it is necessary.
All default packages remain 'Time-Based', so you have to define this usage-based package to use it. If you’re creating a Usage-Based package you also have to define how long the access will be valid, for example if you define a 1-hour Usage-Based Custom Package with a 1-week expiration it means that within 1 week the user can use the internet for 1 hour and only the logged-in minutes count (so he can log out and can 'pause' his usage).
You will also notice same changes in the Start pages reflecting to these changes.
If you need to help to your customers, we'll let you know the ways to log out:
- Click on the 'Logout' link in the popup
- Type 'exit' in the browser window - Start Page will be displayed, then click on the Logout link on the left side
- Type 'www.hotspotsystem.com' in the browser and click on the 'Logout' on the left side.
10 MINUTES FREE TRIAL IS NOW JUST 5 MINUTES
We decided to shorten the free trial period. 10 minutes were enough for lot of people to check mail and make some quick replies, so conversion was just not good enough. 5 minutes is enough to log in and check it it's working properly.
UPDATED DOCUMENTATION
Be sure to download the new Operator Guide, we made a major upgrade on this so it is now containing all the features of the Operator Area in a pdf format.
Click here to download the Operator Guide
We're introducing a new package type, called Usage-Based packages.
When a customer buys a Usage-Based package, the access will start from the first login and only logged-in minutes will count. User can logout and continue to use the internet later within the given expiration date. These type of packages usually have higher prices because unused minutes can be used later (within the given expiration date).
However - if possible - we still recommend to use our old package type (which is called Time-Based packages now). Here's why:
Usage-Based package requires more ‘knowledge’ from the user because he/she must learn how to logout properly. While we make efforts to make this simple to understand, there will be cases maybe when a user states that he logged out while the account shows the opposite. After 10 minutes of idle time we log out the user automatically, however it doesn’t certainly mean that the user will be logged out if he/she just close the browser window, because Windows and other operating systems are communicating with remote computers in the background (typical examples are Windows’ auto update system, or mail clients that check e-mails in every 5 minutes for example).
So this will raise more problems - use this only if you're sure that it is necessary.
All default packages remain 'Time-Based', so you have to define this usage-based package to use it. If you’re creating a Usage-Based package you also have to define how long the access will be valid, for example if you define a 1-hour Usage-Based Custom Package with a 1-week expiration it means that within 1 week the user can use the internet for 1 hour and only the logged-in minutes count (so he can log out and can 'pause' his usage).
You will also notice same changes in the Start pages reflecting to these changes.
If you need to help to your customers, we'll let you know the ways to log out:
- Click on the 'Logout' link in the popup
- Type 'exit' in the browser window - Start Page will be displayed, then click on the Logout link on the left side
- Type 'www.hotspotsystem.com' in the browser and click on the 'Logout' on the left side.
10 MINUTES FREE TRIAL IS NOW JUST 5 MINUTES
We decided to shorten the free trial period. 10 minutes were enough for lot of people to check mail and make some quick replies, so conversion was just not good enough. 5 minutes is enough to log in and check it it's working properly.
UPDATED DOCUMENTATION
Be sure to download the new Operator Guide, we made a major upgrade on this so it is now containing all the features of the Operator Area in a pdf format.
Click here to download the Operator Guide
Thursday, August 9, 2007
News for Operators: Improved transactions list and CSV export
IMPROVED TRANSACTION LIST + CSV EXPORT
We have improved the transaction list so you will get a cleaner view of your transactions.
From the main page you will see the last 10 successful purchases and refunds only.
When you go to the 'Transactions' menu you can filter transactions by location and by the result of transactions.
You can also export this filtered list in a CSV format with all the important information you need, including transaction's and customer's details. We'll update the documentation of the Operator Area in the next few days so you'll get a detailed documentation of these new features.
Currently these filters are available in the 'Transactions' menu:
- Successful Purchases and Refunds
- Successful Credit Card Payments (this list will not show Pre-paid card activatios)
- Successful Pre-Paid Activations
- Free Trials
- Cancelled Purchases (when a user reached the payment page but cancelled the transaction)
- All Completed Transactions (this list includes all transactions which have been completed (successful purchases, free trials or cancelled purchases)
- All Completed+Not Completed Transactions (includes the list above + all transactions that haven't been completed, for example the user registered but never completed the payment for some reason (credit card was declined or the user didn't pushed the PAY NOW button, etc.)
The last was the default list that we used previously, but we called all transactions 'UNSUCCESSFUL' that were not completed. Please note that if a transaction was not completed it doesn't necessary mean that the user couldn't pay. Some of the possible reasons of not completed transactions:
- The user registers just to see how the system works and pays at a later time (sometimes he never reaches the payment page)
- The user's credit card is declined, then he comes back later and tries an other card
- The user re-registering instead of logging in with his previously registered username
- The user's cannot finish the transaction with PayPal (you can read more about PayPal's 'security' features here. )
So there are a lot of cases when some 'not finished' transactions are followed by a successful one which means the user could pay for the service successfully.
GMT & LOCAL TIME USAGE
All of our reports and lists are in GMT +00:00 time. If you set your local time in the 'Settings' menu you can have the transactions displayed in your local time. GMT and local times are included in your exported CSV file, but please note that when you select a date period it will filter transactions based on GMT time.
WI-FI SHOP
You can now buy HotSpot In a Box and Pre-Paid cards in your own currency via Worldpay. If your currency is not available the amouns will be converted in USD.
We have improved the transaction list so you will get a cleaner view of your transactions.
From the main page you will see the last 10 successful purchases and refunds only.
When you go to the 'Transactions' menu you can filter transactions by location and by the result of transactions.
You can also export this filtered list in a CSV format with all the important information you need, including transaction's and customer's details. We'll update the documentation of the Operator Area in the next few days so you'll get a detailed documentation of these new features.
Currently these filters are available in the 'Transactions' menu:
- Successful Purchases and Refunds
- Successful Credit Card Payments (this list will not show Pre-paid card activatios)
- Successful Pre-Paid Activations
- Free Trials
- Cancelled Purchases (when a user reached the payment page but cancelled the transaction)
- All Completed Transactions (this list includes all transactions which have been completed (successful purchases, free trials or cancelled purchases)
- All Completed+Not Completed Transactions (includes the list above + all transactions that haven't been completed, for example the user registered but never completed the payment for some reason (credit card was declined or the user didn't pushed the PAY NOW button, etc.)
The last was the default list that we used previously, but we called all transactions 'UNSUCCESSFUL' that were not completed. Please note that if a transaction was not completed it doesn't necessary mean that the user couldn't pay. Some of the possible reasons of not completed transactions:
- The user registers just to see how the system works and pays at a later time (sometimes he never reaches the payment page)
- The user's credit card is declined, then he comes back later and tries an other card
- The user re-registering instead of logging in with his previously registered username
- The user's cannot finish the transaction with PayPal (you can read more about PayPal's 'security' features here. )
So there are a lot of cases when some 'not finished' transactions are followed by a successful one which means the user could pay for the service successfully.
GMT & LOCAL TIME USAGE
All of our reports and lists are in GMT +00:00 time. If you set your local time in the 'Settings' menu you can have the transactions displayed in your local time. GMT and local times are included in your exported CSV file, but please note that when you select a date period it will filter transactions based on GMT time.
WI-FI SHOP
You can now buy HotSpot In a Box and Pre-Paid cards in your own currency via Worldpay. If your currency is not available the amouns will be converted in USD.
Friday, July 27, 2007
New Features for Operators
We have some new features in the Operator Area.
PRE-PAID CARDS
You can now view how many Pre-Paid cards left at specific locations, groupped by the validity period for example 30 MINS / 3pcs, 1 HOUR / 15 pcs, etc.
If you see you have a few left you can order more cards. (Click on HotSpot Locations > Location Name and see the Pre-Paid cards section)
If you don't sell Pre-Paid cards at a location you should consider. We have locations where only 10% of customers buy accesses with Credit Cards.
If you operate the HotSPot in a hotel, you can easily add the price of the card to the room bill.
FREE TRIAL PACKAGE
You can now assign a free trial package to a location.
With this feature you can offer 10 minutes free internet to your customers. After 10 minutes users will be logged out automatically and they have to BUY a package to continue. They won't be able to use another free access becuase their MAC address will blocked in the system for 24 hours. After 24 hours they will be able to use the free period again. The 24 hours block can be modified so if you want to block the user for a week than you can do so.
E-MAIL NOTIFICATIONS
From 1th, August you'll be notified when a customer buys an access with a credit card and you can also get emails when a Pre-Paid card activated.
By default we'll send out these notifications to the contact email, but you can modify all these parameters.
Go to Settings in the Operator Area to turn on/off these notifications or set a different email address.
DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU CAN USE THE SYSTEM TO SET UP A LOCAL DESKTOP COMPUTER?
If you have a chance, set up a desktop computer so users can buy internet access if they don't have a laptop.
You can use a used ($100) computer too, because you just need a browser to run on the computer (you can use Ubuntu instead of Windows which is a free operating system).
You can set the router to have paid LAN ports, and offer short packages (30 mins, 1hour) to increase your sales.
After we set up some desktop computers in a campground, we noticed a 90% INCREASE in sales, which is AMAZING!
If you need help about this, don't hesitate to contact us.
MORE FEATURES
More features coming in August, so stay tuned!
PRE-PAID CARDS
You can now view how many Pre-Paid cards left at specific locations, groupped by the validity period for example 30 MINS / 3pcs, 1 HOUR / 15 pcs, etc.
If you see you have a few left you can order more cards. (Click on HotSpot Locations > Location Name and see the Pre-Paid cards section)
If you don't sell Pre-Paid cards at a location you should consider. We have locations where only 10% of customers buy accesses with Credit Cards.
If you operate the HotSPot in a hotel, you can easily add the price of the card to the room bill.
FREE TRIAL PACKAGE
You can now assign a free trial package to a location.
With this feature you can offer 10 minutes free internet to your customers. After 10 minutes users will be logged out automatically and they have to BUY a package to continue. They won't be able to use another free access becuase their MAC address will blocked in the system for 24 hours. After 24 hours they will be able to use the free period again. The 24 hours block can be modified so if you want to block the user for a week than you can do so.
E-MAIL NOTIFICATIONS
From 1th, August you'll be notified when a customer buys an access with a credit card and you can also get emails when a Pre-Paid card activated.
By default we'll send out these notifications to the contact email, but you can modify all these parameters.
Go to Settings in the Operator Area to turn on/off these notifications or set a different email address.
DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU CAN USE THE SYSTEM TO SET UP A LOCAL DESKTOP COMPUTER?
If you have a chance, set up a desktop computer so users can buy internet access if they don't have a laptop.
You can use a used ($100) computer too, because you just need a browser to run on the computer (you can use Ubuntu instead of Windows which is a free operating system).
You can set the router to have paid LAN ports, and offer short packages (30 mins, 1hour) to increase your sales.
After we set up some desktop computers in a campground, we noticed a 90% INCREASE in sales, which is AMAZING!
If you need help about this, don't hesitate to contact us.
MORE FEATURES
More features coming in August, so stay tuned!
Friday, July 20, 2007
Chalet View Lodge (Featured Client)
Chalet View Lodge, located in Graeagle, US, is one of those clients that ordered our HotSpot In a Box solution. After a few days of placing the order they got a package with a preinstalled HotSpotSystem.com powered router in it. They just have to plug in the box and it worked. After a few minutes they began to generate transactions. It was simple and easy, and their clients are happy now becuase they can use their own laptop in this exclusive resort.Click here to view the homepage of Chalet View Lodge
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
3 tips to increase your HotSpot sales
TIP #1: SET UP A DESKTOP COMPUTER TO YOUR CLIENTS (Perfect for campgrounds, hotels, etc)
Don't think that HotSpot is a wireless only thing. There are a lot more people who don't have their own laptop than the ones who do. Why would you lose that traffic?
With our system you can easily set up a local computer and restrict internet usage just like you do wirelessly.
Last month we did a campground installation and set up two desktop computers at the reception. These were $100 computers, used ones, but powerful enough to run a web browser or Skype. We used a free operating system (Ubuntu) with Firefox so we saved some money on the OS too. We set the router to have paid LAN ports (it's 3 easy steps as written here ) , then set up a 30mins and a 1 hour package for that location. Since the internet is restricted by the router it works just like a laptop: people have to buy an access package before they can use the browser, Skype or MSN.
THE RESULT WAS A BOOM. We got a 80% increase in HotSpot sales.
We experienced that the perfect installation was using 2 routers, 2 locations, 1st was set up for desktop computers with short access packages, the other was set up for wireless users with longer access packages (we don't want someone to buy a 24 hour package and sit in front of the desktop computer all day, huh?)
TIP #2: USE PREPAID CARDS
If you have someone at your location who can give prepaid cards for end users, then use it. People will may have difficulties with their credit cards, so you can offer them access cards for cash. If you run a hotel you can give them access cards, then you can add the price of the card to their room bill.
You can easily buy prepaid cards from the Wi-Fi shop, after you fixed the end user prices of the cards.
TIP #3: EXTEND COVERAGE WITH WDS
The more coverage you have the more users can see and use your HotSpot. You can set up access points with WDS (wireless distribution system) so you don't need cables to connect the to the router. You only need power and that's it. They will receive the internet from the main router wirelessly and they will extend your coverage. You can combine them with more powerful external antennas.
More on this can be found here.
Don't think that HotSpot is a wireless only thing. There are a lot more people who don't have their own laptop than the ones who do. Why would you lose that traffic?
With our system you can easily set up a local computer and restrict internet usage just like you do wirelessly.
Last month we did a campground installation and set up two desktop computers at the reception. These were $100 computers, used ones, but powerful enough to run a web browser or Skype. We used a free operating system (Ubuntu) with Firefox so we saved some money on the OS too. We set the router to have paid LAN ports (it's 3 easy steps as written here ) , then set up a 30mins and a 1 hour package for that location. Since the internet is restricted by the router it works just like a laptop: people have to buy an access package before they can use the browser, Skype or MSN.
THE RESULT WAS A BOOM. We got a 80% increase in HotSpot sales.
We experienced that the perfect installation was using 2 routers, 2 locations, 1st was set up for desktop computers with short access packages, the other was set up for wireless users with longer access packages (we don't want someone to buy a 24 hour package and sit in front of the desktop computer all day, huh?)
TIP #2: USE PREPAID CARDS
If you have someone at your location who can give prepaid cards for end users, then use it. People will may have difficulties with their credit cards, so you can offer them access cards for cash. If you run a hotel you can give them access cards, then you can add the price of the card to their room bill.
You can easily buy prepaid cards from the Wi-Fi shop, after you fixed the end user prices of the cards.
TIP #3: EXTEND COVERAGE WITH WDS
The more coverage you have the more users can see and use your HotSpot. You can set up access points with WDS (wireless distribution system) so you don't need cables to connect the to the router. You only need power and that's it. They will receive the internet from the main router wirelessly and they will extend your coverage. You can combine them with more powerful external antennas.
More on this can be found here.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Tween Lakes Resort (Featured Client)
Tween Lakes Resort is located between Kalamalka Lake and Wood Lake, just off Hwy 97, Canada in quiet surroundings. Such campgrounds and RV parks are typical places to operate a HotSpot. People usually stay for weeks therefore they would need internet access probably when they are away from home for a long time.
News for Operators
COMPANY CHANGES: As of 1st, July, HotSpot System Ltd. will begin to operate. This company will cover all areas that is related to HotSpotSystem.com. End users will see HotSpot System /HotSpot System Ltd. on their billing pages and in their credit card statements. New company information is already visible on the Help Desk pages.
PAYPAL PAYOUT LIMITS DECREASED: We've a new PayPal payout policy. From now on we will transfer payouts to PayPal accounts if the amount has reached 20 USD.
NEW CURRENCIES AVAILABLE WITH WORLDPAY: As of 1st, July, new currencies will be available for WorldPay. These are: EUR, IDR and ZAR. These additional currencies will be available for use with WorldPay without any setup fee.
For those who are already accepting EUR with PayPal, WorldPay will be set up and TURNED ON automatically on 1st, July.
SPANISH LANGUAGE ACTIVATED: Start pages are now available in spanish. Information for HotSpot operators in spanish language are also available now on our web site.
PAYPAL PAYOUT LIMITS DECREASED: We've a new PayPal payout policy. From now on we will transfer payouts to PayPal accounts if the amount has reached 20 USD.
NEW CURRENCIES AVAILABLE WITH WORLDPAY: As of 1st, July, new currencies will be available for WorldPay. These are: EUR, IDR and ZAR. These additional currencies will be available for use with WorldPay without any setup fee.
For those who are already accepting EUR with PayPal, WorldPay will be set up and TURNED ON automatically on 1st, July.
SPANISH LANGUAGE ACTIVATED: Start pages are now available in spanish. Information for HotSpot operators in spanish language are also available now on our web site.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Meet Daddy Joe's (Featured Client)
Daddy Joe's is a lovely place at the foot of the Sierra National Forest in Auberry, California. They offer Wi-Fi for their clients for a small fee and choose our system to provide this service.You can visit them at http://www.daddyjoes.com/.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Become a HotSpot wholesale dealer
If you plan to offer our services to many clients, you can do this easily.With our 'Secondary Logins' feature you can give access to the owner of the location so they can keep track of the transactions that may happen at their HotSpot.
We already have several partners (including ISPs) who make business with us and offer our services to their clients. They act as one global 'operator' and get 70% or more from the end user income (if they can do large amount of transactions with their clients it can be 75-80%). They give some commission to their clients where they install the system of course, but they can still make big money.
Most of them offer our service with additional benefits for the Operators, for example they give them a router for free (or they even pay for their internet access), then they keep most of the income, etc.
There are several business models that can work with your business, contact us and tell us your plans about how would you like to become a HotSpotSystem.com provider.
Friday, May 18, 2007
People talk about us
It's always nice to see when people from anywhere in the world find us. Most of them remains 'unknown' to us but here's an irish blogger who found us and posted a short blog article even if he's actually not using our services.
Click here to read the blog entry: 'How to make money with wireless?'
We are always looking for such feedbacks, so if you find one or you've actually written one, please send us your link!
Click here to read the blog entry: 'How to make money with wireless?'
We are always looking for such feedbacks, so if you find one or you've actually written one, please send us your link!
Yellow Rocket (Featured Client)
From time to time we'll post some nice implementations of our system.The first is "Yellow Rocket", located in New Zealand.
This was a simple implementation, with one router. Guests can pay for the access by cash (prepaid cards) when they order some bagels for example. Alternatively they can also pay by credit cards.
You can check them out at http://www.yellowrocket.co.nz/ .
Nice :)
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Introduction
Hello,this is our first blog entry here :)
From now on we'll post anything that is related to our company, technology improvements, feature addons, featured clients, etc.
Almost every blog has an introduction so here's ours:
Our company (HotSpotSystem.com) provides Wi-Fi HotSpot solutions for those who'd like to start their own Wi-Fi service. Currently we have 2 "products" called HotSpot FREE and HotSpot PRO. The main difference is that the FREE is for those who want to give internet for their customers for free, the other is for the paid version. All features of our products can be found on our website so i'm moving on the personal side.
HotSpotSystem.com is operated by a bunch of talented young people who realized the demand of creating public Wi-Fi access points all over the world.
The picture above was shot on a Trade Show For The Hotel Industry in 2006, with some of the HotSpotSystem.com's team members.
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