Aptilo Networks has launched its first cloud-based guest Wi-Fi service for multi-site businesses and large venues such as shopping malls and stadiums. The company said its Aptilo Guest Wi-Fi Cloud service makes it easier for resellers and managed service providers (MSPs) to monitor and maintain big guest Wi-Fi networks.
Rather than creating a Wi-Fi account for each customer with individual startup fees, resellers and MSPs now have a second option: Sign up for a single Aptilo account and administer all customers under that one umbrella, with control and visibility from one platform.
“Aptilo Guest Wi-Fi Cloud meets the unique needs of today’s system integrators, operators and multi-brand organizations looking to provide a rock-solid guest Wi-Fi service to multiple customer in their portfolio,” CEO Paul Mikkelsen said in statement. “With us, resellers can build their own Wi-Fi cloud service.”
Faster Deployment
Aptilo, which develops Wi-Fi service management and offloading solutions, has been selling Wi-Fi services for large-scale deployments since 2001. Previously, resellers looking to create guest Wi-Fi networks for their clients had to purchase Aptilo’s software -- the Service Management Platform and SMP Venue Wi-Fi Manager -- then create the guest network from scratch, Vice President of Marketing Johan Terve said in an email.
The new cloud service offers a tailor-made solution for those who want it, and it can be deployed in a few days as opposed to several months, he said.
Resellers can use the service to support their customers with multiple Wi-Fi infrastructure vendors. Aptilo is offering initial support for Aruba, Cisco and Ruckus, and additional vendors are in the pipeline.
For resellers that choose to create their own guest Wi-Fi service under a single Aptilo account, there’s greater opportunity for volume discounts, Terve said, because monthly fees are variable based on the number of access points.
Additional Features
Administrators of Aptilo’s Guest Wi-Fi Cloud have access to detailed insights about how their Wi-Fi service is being used, the company said. This includes user demographics retrieved through social media logins that can be used for hyper-targeted marketing campaigns.
The portal manager is designed so that someone without any knowledge of web design can update certain content, uploading photos and adding text.
Around-the-clock support is included in the cost of the service, and end-user support is offered for an additional fee.
Aptilo sells its large-scale Wi-Fi services in more than 75 countries. Notable customers include NASA, Dignity Heath, Medstar, Barcelona City and Copenhagen Airport.
Numerous network hardware vendors now offer cloud-centric Wi-Fi hardware and associated platforms. Cisco Meraki is considered the market's 800 pound gorilla, but upstarts like Datto's Open Mesh Networking business are taking aim at the sector.
Additional insights from Joe Panettieri.
