Spotlight

Wi-Fi connectivity in a hotel chain

Hotels have taken to Wi-Fi in a big way with guest demand for easy, flexible Internet connectivity anywhere on the premises, says Harish Chib

The big question is: How easy and cost-effective is it to provide and manage Wi-Fi service in a hotel chain? Given that Access Controller costs hover around Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000, the initial expense can be quite high.

However, there's a way out. That of turning an ordinary access point (AP) into an Access Controller. That's what we have achieved with 24online. We pre-integrate the 24online firmware into, say, a LinkSys AP - and the box is ready to perform all the functions of an Access Controller at a fraction of its cost.

Now that's fine if it's a single hotel. A single Access Controller with multiple access points to cover the entire hotel premises comfortably will do the job. What happens in case of a hotel chain?

The chain can have Wi-Fi connectivity in each one of the hotels, located anywhere in the world with complete centralised controls.

Complete, cost-effective controls

A 24online server at the hotel's central NOC - Network Operating Center - offers total control, performing authentication, authorisation and accounting of guests at all the chain hotels. It even generates flexible prepaid PINS of various denominations, based on time and usage.

At the local hotel end, the 24online Access Controller is installed, controlling the multiple access points placed across the local hotel premises. The Access Controller communicates with the central 24online server over the Internet for authentication and bandwidth management. This delivers control over access as well as speed in connectivity. Secondly, it enables printing of the centrally generated prepaid PINS at the local hotel, delivering flexibility with control. Instant recharges can be offered too. With an inbuilt payment gateway, 24online offers easy credit card payment option to guests. To hotels, this eliminates the need for separate payment gateway integration, further bringing down integration requirement.

How do hotels benefit?

Cost is a major factor. The 24online solution involves very low capital cost. Secondly, it keeps operating costs low since communication between the 24online server and Access Controller is over the Internet. In fact, Internet connectivity can be taken from different ISPs. There is no need for dedicated leased lines and expensive VPN tunnels.

Roaming is a critical factor for guest satisfaction. Guests can be offered a single account valid at any of the chain hotels. Far more important is 24online support to roaming arrangements with external Wi-Fi networks like airports, cafes, etc - places where guests are likely to access Internet.

Bandwidth remains one of the key concerns for Wi-Fi connectivity. With 24online allowing user and machine-based bandwidth management, hotels achieve optimum bandwidth use. Incidences of bandwidth choking are reduced while allowing the hotel to create and offer prepaid cards linked to bandwidth limits. With this, guests receive differentiated service, enhancing satisfaction and attracting high-value customers. The idea is to make Wi-Fi usage as easy and seamless as possible. This is the gateway to enhanced guest satisfaction and loyalty.

(The author is VP-Marketing-Products at Elitecore Technologies which offers 24online, a complete hotel billing and bandwidth management software with worldwide deployments. He can be reached at harish@elitecore.com. Product detail is available at www.24onlinebilling.com)