Internet Access & Billing - Hotel PMS Software
High-speed Internet access has gone from a "nice benefit" to a "requirement"
for most business guests. The question is not “if” a property should deploy
high-speed Internet access, but "how to" do it in a cost effective and profitable
manner. RDP has partnered with
Peacey Systems to provide a turnkey solution for
wireless access and billing. Charges for internet access can be by credit
card or posted to the guest folio automatically with the RDP-Wireless Internet Access
Interface.
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Peacey
Systems
provides Turnkey Solution with Nomadix Equipment
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RDP
has partnered with
Peacey
Systems,
a Nomadix reseller, to provide
turnkey solutions for wireless access and billing. Peacey
Systems
can provide the following services:
- Arrange for high-speed Internet access.
- Provide all cabling and equipment.
- Study the property to determine how many wireless access points are required.
- Install all equipment.
- Provide training.
- Provide price quotes.
For more information or a price quote, please contact:
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Guest In-Room
Internet with Wired or Wireless Connection
Peacey Systems can provide In-Room Internet
connections that are either wired or wireless, as follows:
| In-Room Wired |
Some properties already have high-speed Internet access
in the room via the room phone lines or Ethernet cabling. The
RDP Interface can charge the guest for usage per day or other billing
increments.
If your property does not already have wired connections in the rooms,
Peacey Systems can provide a price quotation for complete installation.
A wired solution allows the guest to use the Ethernet network connection
in their portable. However many properties are now choosing a
wireless in-room solution as described below.
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| In-Room Wireless (Wi-Fi) |
Wireless technology can provide high-speed Internet
access in the room without cables, as follows:
- Most new laptop computers come with a wireless networking card.
- The guest simply opens their laptop and within seconds a connection is made.
- A welcome screen appears which allows the guest to authorize a daily charge.
- The RDP interface sends the charge to the guest folio.
Peacey Systems can provide a complete
turnkey installation.
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| Both Wired and Wireless |
The ideal solution for the guest is both a wired-and
wireless-solution.
- If a guest does not have a wireless networking card, they can
use the in-room wired connection.
- If the guest has wireless capability and has authorized the
daily payment, they can access the Internet from their room, or
any other location at the property, without any cables.
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Can Connect To the Internet Wireless From Anywhere
One of the great advantages of the Peacey Systems solution is that it provides both
wired and wireless access. With wireless access your entire property, including
all rooms, can become a "hot spot." Guests and others can connect to the Internet
from anywhere. If there is a business conference any attendee with a wireless
laptop could access the Internet from the conference center, lobby, or even the
pool. You can provide this service as a free benefit to increase group business
or charge an additional fee (see below).
Charge Non-Guests Using a Credit Card or National Wireless Account
The Nomadix solution provides a variety of billing options for guest and non-guest
Internet access, including:
| Free Internet Access |
Some properties have elected to provide Internet access
at no charge as another reason for guests and groups to stay at the
property. In this case RDP customers may want to call Peacey
Systems
for installation, but would not need the RDP Wireless Internet Billing
Interface, since no access charges will be posted to the folio. |
| Bill Guest Folio |
To bill the guest folio the RDP Internet Billing Interface
is required. This is available immediately from RDP by
contacting us directly. |
| Bill Credit Card |
Peacey Systems/Nomadix provides the ability for a guest or
non-guest to bill their credit card. This billing is done completely
within the Peacey Systems software -- no RDP interface is required.
The sequence of events is:
- The laptop, with a wireless card, can be used at any location
within range of the wireless network. (i.e. rooms, lobby,
conference center, pool, etc.)
- The laptop communicates with the Peacey Systems/Nomadix equipment
,and a browser appears with billing choices. If "bill to room"
is selected, the RDP interface is used.
- If bill to credit card is selected, the Peacey Systems/Nomadix software
processes the credit card. The RDP interface is not required
to bill a credit card directly.
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| National Wireless Account |
Another billing option can be "national wireless account." For example the guest may pay a monthly wireless
fee to one of the major vendors and then be able to access the "hot spot" or "hot zone" at your
property. Peacey Systems can provide information for revenue split options. |
| Other Billing Options |
The wireless Internet world is changing very fast.
There are a number of other guest and non-guest billing options that
you can discuss with Peacey Systems. |
RDP
Interface Posts Internet Access Charges To Folio
The RDP-Nomadix Interface, which is available immediately, can post charges for
wired or wireless Internet access directly to the guest folio. The process
is as follows:
- The guest accesses the Internet with their portable, either wired from the room or wireless from any location
in the Hot Zone.
- A welcome screen appears on their browser, describing the Internet service and costs.
Most properties charge a fixed fee every 24 hours.
- When the guest initially agrees to the service and cost, the RDP interface posts the charge immediately to the
guest folio.
- The guest can the use the Internet for 24 hours (or your billing period) without additional prompts.
For example, if the wireless access guest moves from their room to the lobby, they have immediate
Internet access. If a guest signs up originally from the conference center, they can still move to their room.
- The Peacey Systems/Nomadix system tracks the expiration time and prompts the guest to renew for another day when expired.
- The RDP system tracks all Internet access charges sent to the folio with a unique transaction code and general ledger account.
Guest Can Review Folio On Television
RDP supports in-room checkout through the LodgeNet and On-Command movie interfaces.
With the Enhanced Movie interface
installed, guests can view their folio, including Internet access charges, on the
TV. The guest can also checkout using the TV. If the
Protobase interface
is installed, a credit card payment can be processed. The interface also turns movies
on at check-in and off at checkout, helping to prevent unauthorized access.
See:
Summary Of Internet Access & Billing
High-speed Internet access has gone from a "nice benefit" to a "requirement"
for most business guests. RDP's partnership with Peacey Systems makes it easy for RDP customers to increase their
revenue by attracting guests and conferences with wired and wireless access. The RDP interface posts Internet access
charges to the guest folio and is available immediately. For more information or a price quote, please
contact RDP Sales.
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