Set up an Internet point of sale (PoS) system to give or sell access codes to your café, marina, campground and RV park guests 

What is a point of sale (PoS)?

A point of sale system is found in every business that sells products or services at the checkout point. The PoS has a computer, which contains the PoS software that controls the POS devices and displays the purchase options on the screen. The PoS has a touch-screen to select the product being purchased, a barcode scanner to read the product barcode, a printer to print the receipt, and a cash drawer to store money and give change. The PoS can also have a credit card reader when payment is made by credit card instead of cash, and it can have a barcode reader to scan a product barcode.

The buyer presents a product at the checkout or requests a service, such as a car wash. The product or service is selected on the touch-screen and the value to be paid is presented. The buyer pays for the purchase then a screen button is touched to complete the purchase. The thermal printer prints the receipt for the purchase. If the purchase is a service then the receipt may also contain some code to authorize the service. A typical PoS terminal is shown in the next figure.

What is a point of sale (PoS) for Internet access?

A point of sale terminal that is used to sell an Internet service is similar to the point of sale terminal for retail sales. The Internet PoS is used to issue a printed receipt with an access code for the buyer, after payment of the service. The buyer chooses Internet connection options that include the duration of the connection and the maximum data speed that is permitted for the connection. The business providing the Internet service sets a price of each of the Internet connection options. After purchase of the access code, the buyer then uses the access code to connect to the Internet via WiFi, using a mobile phone, a tablet or a computer. The method of connecting to the WiFi Internet using the receipt code is illustrated in the next diagram.

The Internet PoS has the following components.

• The Guest Internet controller which has the PoS software and also controls access to the Internet. This can be a controller that includes the WiFi for Internet access (e.g. GIS-K1) or a controller that can connect to one or more wireless access points (e.g. Star-8 kit). All Guest Internet controllers have the PoS software.
• A thermal receipt printer, such as the GIS-TP1 that is used to print the payment receipt plus the access code that the buyer will use to connect to the Internet. Any Epson standard thermal printer that has an Ethernet Interface can be connected to the Guest Internet controller. The printer can use either 58mm or 80mm thermal paper.
• A tablet that displays the buttons that can be tapped for the Internet service option requested by the buyer. The PoS software permits up to 10 buttons to be displayed, where each button specifies the duration of access and the maximum data speed. The Guest Internet customer provides the tablet.
• An optional cash drawer that connects to the GIS-TP1 or similar printer, the cash drawer opens when the receipt is printed to store cash and give change to the buyer.

Businesses that use Internet point of sale systems

Several types of businesses provide WiFi Internet for guests and visitors. Providing the WiFi Internet service for guests and visitors has a cost for the business, which includes the ISP monthly subscription fee and the cost of equipment acquisition and maintenance. The businesses that wish to charge for the Internet service can do so by selling vouchers using the Guest Internet PoS system. A brief list of businesses that have an Internet PoS is included below.

• Coffee bars; some bars offer a free service for a short time (e.g. 15 minutes) and charge for longer durations. The Internet PoS is installed at the checkout. Guests can have a free short duration code with a coffee purchase, or return to the checkout to purchase a longer-term voucher.
• Cyber cafés; people visit cyber cafes in order to use the Internet and expect to pay for the service. The PoS permits the service to be sold with up to 10 durations, for example, 1 hour, 2 hours, etc. The cyber café can offer a WiFi connection for customers who have mobile devices, and also offer computers for those customers who need to use a computer.
• RV and caravan parks; All RV and caravan parks provide Internet access for guests and visitors. WiFi Internet can be provided at a designated location, or a wireless network can be installed that will provide WiFi throughout the park. Guests can purchase Internet vouchers at the park store where the PoS is installed. Guests wishing to use the service have to be outside the RV or caravan with a line of sight to the wireless access point antenna. The metal shell of the RV or caravan will block the WiFi signal. Many RV owners install an external WiFi antenna (e.g. Wineguard) that provides WiFi inside the vehicle.
• Campgrounds; Many campgrounds provide a WiFi Internet service for guests and visitors at the office where guests rent the camping spaces. The PoS to sell WiFi Internet vouchers is installed in the campground office.
• Marinas; boat owners want to use the Internet service when their boat is docked in the marina. The PoS system is installed in the marina store to sell access code vouchers.

Thermal printer receipts with access codes

A thermal receipt printer connects to the Guest Internet controller using an Ethernet cable, and the printer is controller by the Guest Internet software. Only one printer can be connected to the Guest Internet controller. Install the GIS-TP1 58mm printer, or install any receipt printer with the following characteristics.

• The printer interface must be Ethernet.
• The printer must comply with the Epson receipt printer standard.
• The printer must use either 58mm or 80mm thermal paper rolls.

The printer must be configured as follows.

• Set the Ethernet IP address to the Guest Internet static IP provided by support.
• Add control characters to the printer configuration for specific printer characteristics, such as paper cutter.

The procedure to configure and use the thermal receipt printer is shown in the following diagram.

The configuration steps are as follows.

• Configure the printer characteristics and print output using the Guest Internet controller software.
• Configure the tablet display buttons that are used to initiate printing. Up to 10 buttons are configured, each with the duration of access, maximum data speed and other characteristics pre-programmed.

Receipts with access codes are printed as follows.

• Tap the tablet button corresponding to the access code that is required, duration, etc.
• The receipt with access code is printed on the GIS-TP1 or other thermal receipt printer, remove from the printer and give to the customer.

If you wish to use your thermal printer, first contact Guest Internet support to ask about the printer requirements and settings (support@guest-internet.com).

Access code controls and characteristics

The voucher access code has several parameters that are selected when configuring the tablet buttons that initiate voucher printing.

• Duration that the access code can be used after first use, before it expires.
• Maximum download and upload data speed permitted for the code.
• Optional maximum download and upload data volume permitted for the code.
• Optionally allow the access code to be stopped and started to extend the time that it can be used.
• Optional start date and time after which the access code can be used.
• Number of devices that the access code can be used with, default is 1 device that will prevent code sharing.

The button configuration should show the duration and cost of the option. The configuration of a button can be changed at any time.

Using the access codes to connect to the Internet

A person wishing to use the WiFi Internet service must purchase a PoS voucher which has an access code that will be used to access the Internet service.

The first step to get access to the Internet is to connect the mobile device or computer WiFi to the WiFi antenna by selecting the name of the WiFi (called the SSID) using the device software. The method of connection will depend on the software, which can be Windows, Android, iOS, MAC-OS or Linux. Connection to the WiFi service is shown in the next diagram.

The next step is to open a browser on the device then open a new browser tab and type the name of the WiFi service.

aplogin.com

Press enter to open the login page. An example of a login page is shown in the next figure. The code on the voucher is typed into the login page then the button is clicked. If the code is valid then the person gets access to the Internet.

Point of sale configurations using Guest Internet controllers

The first PoS configuration is suitable for a coffee bar or cyber café where the Internet data speed is less then 100Mb/s. The configuration uses the Guest Internet GIS-K1 combined controller and indoor wireless access point, together with the GIS-TP1 thermal printer. The Guest Internet customer provides the tablet and optional cash drawer.

The second PoS configuration is suitable for cyber cafes and campgrounds where the Internet data speed is between 100Mb/s and 250Mb/s.  The configuration uses the Guest Internet GIS-R4 controller combined with outdoor and indoor wireless access points. The GIS-TP1 thermal printer connects to the GIS-R4. The Guest Internet customer provides the tablet and optional cash drawer.

A third PoS configuration is suitable for large businesses or large venues; for example a hotel with 500 to 1000 rooms where the front desk issues WiFi vouchers to guests as they check-in. The PoS can be installed at the conference center where visitors can purchase the Internet access vouchers. The controller in this diagram is the GIS-R20 and is suitable for Internet speeds of 250Mb/s to 750Mb/s. The GIS-R20 can have up to two ISP connections and will combine the data speeds providing load balance and fail-over. There is no limit to the number of indoor or outdoor wireless access points that can be connected to the GIS-R20. The GIS-TP1 thermal printer connects to the GIS-R20. The Guest Internet customer provides the tablet and optional cash drawer.

Many other configurations can be built using Guest Internet products, that are optimized for the business or application where the access code vouchers are required. 

Configuring the Guest Internet controller to connect the thermal printer

To configure the Guest Internet controller for use with the thermal receipt printer, proceed as follows.

• Login to the controller as the administrator (admin)
• Select the advanced settings
• Select the printer setup
• Select the thermal printer setup

Follow the configuration steps that are shown in the next figure.

All the information that is printed on the voucher receipt by the thermal printer is entered on this page shown above.

Provide the instructions telling the user how to connect to the WiFi, how to open the login page, and how to enter the access code. The Epson printer has a number of control characters that can be added after the text, such as operate the optional paper cutter.

The printed receipt has the duration of the access code shown below the messages. 

Configuring the tablet to generate Internet access codes

All Guest Internet WiFi controllers have a second user interface dedicated to generating access codes that are given or sold to users to provide them with Internet access. The user interface that is dedicated to the generation and management of codes can be accessed using the URL:

http://aplogin.com/codes

A username and password is requested when this URL is typed in and so the code administration page password must be created before this feature can be used. First login as administrator and find the Management section, then click on the change password menu entry to create the password to access the codes user interface page. 

Always make a note of your passwords and keep in a safe place: if the admin password is lost then the Guest Internet gateway will have to be reset to factory defaults and you will have to configure the device again.

When configured, the user interface that is used to generate access codes is shown in the next figure. This user interface can be used with a tablet or mobile phone to generate access codes at the location where the Internet service is installed.

Up to 10 ‘buttons’ are shown on the display, and each one corresponds to the parameters selected for that code type.  

It is necessary to first create buttons that are subsequently used to generate access codes.

Up to ten buttons can be added to the display. Click on the ‘manage one-click buttons’ to add a button to the display. The screen in the next figure is shown.

First type the name of the button that will be shown on the display subsequently. This could refer to the access time and the cost, e.g. 2-hours-$2, or the type of user, e.g. conference-guest.

The code duration can be selected from 30 minutes to 180 days using the drop down menu.

One of two codes types can be selected:

• Single: Only one guest can use this code. The code runs to completion after login. The duration of the code is selected by the time option.
• Multi-User: Many guests can use this code concurrently for Internet access. The timer starts the first time that the code is used by any user, and the code expires after the duration set for the code. Subsequent users will therefore have less time available for the code.
  

The download and upload speed limits can also be specified for the code using the drop down menu.

Click the ‘exit management’ button to see the display with the buttons that are used to generate access codes. 

When a button is clicked the access code that has been generated is shown on the display and sent to the thermal printer to print the voucher. 

Additional Guest Internet service charging options

Guest Internet customers who wish to have an on-line payment option for guests can add credit card payments to the Guest Internet cloud service. The customer wishing to accept credit card payments must provide a credit card processor account that has an API service. There is a customization charge for the credit card payment gateway and there is a monthly charge for the gateway-hosting fee. Contact Guest Internet for more information.

The benefits for a business of controlling public access to the Internet 

Any business that provides public WiFi Internet for guests and visitors has a risk that the service may be abused and the business that provides the Internet may face legal issues. Guest Internet protects the business providing the WiFi Internet service with the following measures.

• A business that is providing open access a WiFi Internet service for guests and visitors will find that many more people are using the service than those who the service is intended for. This will lead to the Internet performance being poor for everyone. Issuing vouchers with access codes only to those people who the business wants to authorize to use the service will ensure that the quality of the Internet service is good for all users.
• Each Guest Internet controller has a firewall that blocks public access to the business network and is PCI DSS (payment card industry data security standard) compliant for any business that has a point of sale terminal, which receives credit card payments.
• The Guest Internet firewall settings include a method to prevent any user who has a mobile phone from sharing the service via a hotspot after connection to the Internet, ensuring that the service is used by only the people for which it is intended.
• The Guest Internet firewall has a setting to block any user computer that has an active denial of service (DoS) attack. If a user computer initiates a DoS attack is sends out a fast stream of data packets targeted to an Internet website. The result of this will block access to the Internet service because the upload link will be saturated, preventing any other computer connection.
• Many Internet Service Providers (ISP’s) including Starlink will terminate the service of any customer that is sharing copyright material; music, videos or written works. This is a requirement of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). The copyright owners monitor the Internet and identify the IP addresses that are being used to share the material. The copyright owner files a request with the ISP to terminate the customer's service and the ISP has to comply. A business that provides an Internet service to users will have the service terminated if any user is sharing copyright material. Guest Internet provides a method to identify the data protocols used to share copyright material and disconnect the user from the network to protect the business that is providing the service.
• A business providing a WiFi Internet service for many people has to impose limits on the use of the service by each person so that the service can be shared. If no limits are imposed then many people connecting to one Internet service will cause network congestion resulting in all users loosing their Internet connection. The access code generated by the Guest Internet controller and provided for the user has a maximum data speed limit imposed so that the maximum bandwidth of the ISP connection is not reached. A simple calculation is to divide the ISP maximum data speed by the maximum number of concurrent users to determine the maximum data speed that should be set for each user.
• The business providing the WiFi Internet service for guests and visitors will find that the volume of data used may exceed limits imposed by the ISP. In the case of some services such as Starlink, the Starlink account holder will be charged extra for the data consumed. The access code generated by the Guest Internet controller and provided for the user can have a data volume limit imposed. When the users gets to the data limit then the user will be disconnected from the network. Setting a maximum data speed limit also reduces the data volume consumption. As an example, a user watching Netflix with unlimited data speed will watch the video in HD at a data speed of 6Mb/s. If a maximum data speed of 1Mb/s is imposed then the user can watch the Netflix video at a reduced video resolution of 480p. This reduces the data consumption by 83% for video streaming. 

Business consideration: provide “free" public Internet or charge separately for the service?

Many businesses advertise “free” Internet to attract customers. The business has to pay the monthly ISP fee and the cost of installing and maintaining the WiFi network so the service is not “free"; the cost of providing the Internet service is added to room rates or to daily rental. This means that all customers are paying for the Internet service, if they use it or not. It is fair that only the people who use the service should pay for the service. 

The decision for the business to charge users for the Internet service is a question of marketing, if there a competitive advantage to offer “free WiFi" then bundle the cost of the Internet into charges that everyone pays?

Generally, businesses that are in areas with no other type of internet service, such as no 5G coverage, will charge for the WiFi Internet service, and people expect to pay. This includes businesses in remote areas, such as campgrounds, RV parks and marinas. 

The question of how much to charge is determined by the costs that the business has to provide the service.

• The ISP monthly fee, e.g. Starlink.
• The ISP additional data charges.
• The maintenance of the WiFi network, equipment, staff and repairs
• Amortizing the network installation investment.
• Profit.

The cost is divided between the numbers of people who are using the service. The business will assess the use of the WiFi Internet service to determine the cost per hour of use. A business can also have differential charges, a low cost service that has a low data speed cap, and a higher cost data service with a higher data speed limit.

Contact us today to start your WiFi Internet sales business

WISPzone has everything you need to start and grow, please contact:

info@wispzone.com

Guest Internet makes the best products for community WiFi, please contact:

support@guest-internet.com