ASP 2.0 Update #6

New Service : ANTlabsEzScan

ANTlabsEzScan license configuration to organization and site
ANTlabsEzScan scan list report and scan summary report

Enhancements/Changes

• Enhanced Roaming Session page to support partial search
• Enhanced editable custom portal to allow changing the button background color for <button> and <a> tags only
• Enhanced Site Licese Allcoation not to pass extra licenses to License server
• Added form user delete functionality
• Added new payment method ‘Cybersource’ to portal authentication
• Added new report: Report & Analytics > Licenses > Organization Usage to show logged in device usage
• Added a check to display the ‘Allow Post’ and ‘Follow Guest Departure Date’ options only for supported PMS types
• Added Update Level in site download CSV
• Updated the plan add/edit form to include the roaming option for the Unlimited plan
• Updated Room Device page to prevent enabling a room device when the room number is empty
• Updated US phone number of support to ‘+1-904-430-8477’
• Upgraded editable custom portal color dialog to display more color options
• Changed the license count logic for Other Connectors to count 1 for all equipment assigned to a site
• Changed the Global Transaction Download CSV date format from UTC to the local timezone
• Allowed Org Super Admin to edit their own accounts as well as those of other Org Super Admins
• Allowed Platform Admins to manage other Platform Admin accounts
• Allowed to select 1 year for the License Summary report
• Allowed to create local accounts while the organization uses SAML or RADIUS authentication
• Allowed to show or delete portals when the site has no gateway assigned
• Allowed to show or delete plans and bandwidth configurations when the site has no gateway assigned
• If there is only one plan available with a price of 0, hide the plan select box and automatically select this plan by default on the downstream login page.

API

• Added new API to add scan record
• Added new API to show all VLANs
• Added new API to show all location portals
• Added new API to update VLAN’s location
• Added new API to reset global account usage
• Added new API to reset global account password
• Updated organization License Update API to accept new input ‘scanLicenseLimit’
• Updated Organization License GET API to show scan license limit and usage
• Updated site License Update API to accept new input’scanLicenseLimit’
• Updated site License GET API to show scan license limit and usage
• Updated Global Account GET API to include first login time and usage information in the API output
• Updated Global Account GET ALL API to support filtering by ValidUntil date range
• Updated Global Account Update API to return httpd code 400 when oldPassword input is incorrect
• Updated Roaming User GET ALL API to support both MAC Address and UserId input
• Fixed user_update API to return 301: user not found error when user does not exist
• Fixed Roaming User GET API incorrectly returning ‘User not found’ although user exists
• Enhanced Roaming Add/Edit API to accept a new input parameter ‘expiry’ for passing the expiry date and time string of a roaming account
• Enhanced the Site Add/Edit API error messages to align with the API documentation
• Enhanced the Organization Gateway API error messages to align with the API documentation – Enhanced the Site Add/Edit API error messages to align with the API documentation
• Enhanced Roaming User GET API to support both MAC Address and UserId input
• Fixed Site GET API to display ACG information when an ACG is assigned to the site
• Fixed the Site GET/GET ALL API to display an empty array [] when no gateway is assigned
• Fixed the Site GET/GET ALL API to display an empty array [] when no equipment is assigned
• Fixed a critical error in the Global Code Add API when the TruAuth IP is invalid
• Fixed issue where sites are not removed from admin if the admin group level is changed to below 50
• Fixed the issue where unselecting an admin group clears the existing site and site group selection
• Fixed the critical error in the Admin Add API
• Fixed Admin GET API API to allow to filter by ‘group’

Bug Fixes

• Fixed only displays Zones 1 to 5 for the SG5400. It should display up to Zone 15.
• Fixed memory limit issue in Global Account download
• Fixed Roaming GUI: Filter by “Valid Until” field displays empty results
• Fixed Scan Report download functionality
• Fixed 500 server error in site show/detail page
• Fixed site duplication failed on the second attempt
• Fixed the site edit form to display only the modules that have been added in the confirmation box, rather than showing all modules
• Fixed the issue where the error ‘304: Data is saved into the database, but the configuration fails to be committed’ occurred when the TruAuth API user_add was called concurrently more than 10 times
• Fixed the issue with downloading user details failing and resulting in an empty txt file when the site name contains ‘|’
• Fixed issue of some global accounts are not found in the TruAuth database
• Fixed issue of site backup failure when the backup file is large
• Fixed the alignment issue with the column headers in the generated CSV session report and added missing headers for OS, Device, and Browser
• Fixed 500 server error in backup restore functionality
• Fixed Global Account GUI to allow capital letters in email field
• Fixed Site Duplicate form to always show the delete data option, regardless of whether the Web Filtering option is selected
• Fixed missing pagination issue in the global account list
• Fixed issue where the slider URL in the custom portal was not shown in the edit form after saving
• Fixed 500 server error on the site show/detail page, which occurred when the database password contained special characters
• Fixed an issue where the ‘New room device detected’ message was not refreshing when the site selection was changed
• Fixed the date format issue in the Room Device CSV download
• Fixed an issue where organization service_start, service_expiry, and grace period were not sent to the licensor when they are empty
• Fixed the issue where editing a site shortcut redirected to a 405 Method Not Allowed page
• Fixed the cut-off issue in the Top Site report on the Preview and Download pages
• Fixed fully custom portal to configure URL parameters for external URLs
• Fixed application rule to prevent the minimum value from being higher than the maximum value
• Fixed the issue where deleting an organization on the service overview page redirects to the organization list page
• Fixed database error when a negative value is saved to the organization Grace Period
• Fixed the issue where the Global Transaction download kept showing 0%

ASP VERSION: 2.0.6
RELEASE DATE: 26 Jun 2024

ANTlabsEzCast Update #2

Enhancements

• – Update of the cast.me SSL certificate. New expiry date on 8 August 2025.0
• – CLI
  • > New healthcheck CLI command to display the system uptime, memory status and other system state
  • > New date and setdate commands to show and set system date/time respectively.
    • – setdate requires supervisor mode

Bug Fixes

• – Reboot causes the system time to change for vEC
• – Disk full issue caused by incorrect log clean-up configuration.
• – DHCP service not starting properly after an improper shutdown.
• – Firewall rules blocking asymmetric routing

RELEASE DATE: 26 Jul 2024

SG 4 Update #51

Update Release No. 51
Release Date: 13 Jun 2024
Update File Name: 51.SG4000_base-hotfix-system-20240508-01.pkg
(md5: d479a8759d398932e83d5cfe41733f3b)

IG 4 Update #51

Update Release No. 51
Release Date: 13 Jun 2024
Update File Name: 51.IG4000_base-hotfix-system-20240508-01.pkg
(md5: e839b39c528c6a073e7c47c459924548)

SG 5 Update #9

This update includes the following fixes:

• – Fix the issue where the hourly scheduled job that does file rotation for the local lawful intercept logs is not running
• – Fix the VLAN not being updated in the session monitor page when there is a change of VLAN for a downstream device

Release Date: 30 April 2024
Update File Name: 09.SG5000_base-sys-hotfix-20240425-01.pkg
MD5 Checksum: 6d1e7a45b81b7ac9303286374cf392de
File size: 452 KB

IG 4 Update #50

This update updates the gateway’s default (ezxcess.antlabs.com) SSL certificate. The new SSL certificate’s expiry is 14 April 2025.

Update Release No. 50
Release Date: 25 Mar 2024
Update File Name: 50.IG4000_base-hotfix-certificate-20240321-01.pkg
(md5: 84737fae98d73d505603a9a4988e9324)

SG 4 UPDATE #50

This update updates the gateway’s default (ezxcess.antlabs.com) SSL certificate. The new SSL certificate’s expiry is 14 April 2025.

Update Release No. 50
Release Date: 25 Mar 2024
Update File Name: 50.SG4000_base-hotfix-certificate-20240321-01.pkg
(md5:  974f48d26ac01c72ae743138b0478a03)

SG 5 Update #8

Release Date: 18 March 2024
Update File Name:08.SG5000_base-sys-bulk04-20230822-01.pkg
MD5 Checksum: a017b1e7574c0fe1da181c719c2d5560
File size: 173 MB

Note: this update takes up to 3 minutes to complete. Please wait for the update to complete. After the software update has been completed, the Updates GUI page will be updated to show the update status. While the software update is in progress, please do not start another instance of Update 8 patching.

ASP 2.0 Update #5

New Service – ANTlabsEzCast

• – ANTlabsEzCast license configuration, network and room device configurations, casting report, usage, device health and dashboard
• – ANTlabsEzCast server allocation to organization and site

Enhancements

• – Add new font ‘TedNext’ for all portals
• – Update Last Backup and Update Level columns to be sortable and searchable in site list
• – Clean up command server tmp dir if folders and files are older than 1 month
• – Add roaming add GUI to allow to create roaming in GUI
• – Update Site List and Site Show pages to show Cast Server info
• – Increase admin login idle time out from 1 hour to 8 hour
• – Update site status group in left site selection panel to include cast server status
• – Show cast server status and system statistics info in home page
• – Update site list status column to include cast server status if cast server is assigned
• – Re-arrange some menus, collapsed all menus by default added shadow below menu to improve look and feel
• – Redirect to home page for all successful logins

Bug Fixes

• – Fix VIP plans option is not shown in portal PMS Authentication Configuration for PMS types: ‘Micros PMS (1700/2000/3700/4700/8700)’, ‘JDS Interface to Springer Miller’, ‘Accor FLINT-HTNG’, ‘Sky Touch Connect’
• – Fix a0 to a9 options are not shown in password selectbox for PMS types: JDS Interface to Springer Miller
• – Fix twitter login influence is not updated
• – Fix Default portal is assigned to all vlans duplicated from another site
• – Add 3 new categories [‘Child Sexual Abuse (IWF)’, ‘German Youth Protection’, ‘Child Sexual Abuse (Arachnid)’] to fix Web Filtering sync failure
• – Fix HA status shows as unknown (SG5 Update 8 is required to send HA status)
• – Fix 504 Gateway Timeout if ASP can’t fetch release notes from antlabs.com
• – Turn off ipinfo check to load baidu map to reduce home page loading time if IP is from China
• – Fix site count in org dashboard is not refreshed when site is deleted and popup is closed
• – Fix Site Revenue page keeps refreshing when current logged in admin has no site
• – Fix public ip option value is wrong in sample hotel portals added when new site is created
• – Fix default month value is missing in Revenue page
• – Fix Event Tier bandwidth config is not shown if Advanced QoS module is not enabled

APIs

• – Add new API: Guest Session ADD API to add guest session from cast server
• – Add new API: Guest Session UPDATE API to update guest session from cast server
• – Add new API: Guest Session GET/GET All APIs to view or filter all guest sessions
• – Add new API: Cast Session ADD API to add cast session from cast server
• – Add new API: Cast Session UPDATE API to update cast session from cast server
• – Add new API: Cast Session GET/GET All APIs to view or filter all cast sessions
• – Add new API: Organization Cast Servers API to assign cast servers to organization
• – Update Site License and Usage GET API to show site cast license info in API output
• – Update Organzation License and Usage GET API to show organization cast license info in API output
• – Update Site License UPDATE API to allow to configure site cast license
• – Update Organizaton License UPDATE API to allow to conigure organzation cast license
• – Update Site Add/Update APIs to assign cast server to site
• – Update Site GET/GET ALL APIs to show cast server info assigned to site

ASP VERSION: 2.0.5
RELEASE DATE: 14 Nov 2023

Revolutionizing Hospitality Technology: The Impact of Digital Onboarding for Competitive Advantage

Introduction

I had an interesting observation before a recent business trip. It struck me that when I step into a hotel room, every facet of hospitality surpasses the comforts of my own home. There’s 24-hour room service, daily housekeeping, and even the swift arrival of an aircon technician if needed. It’s a haven of comfort, luxury, and convenience.

On the other hand, every aspect of the hotel network will pale in comparison to what I enjoy at home without fail, even in the most luxurious suites. In my humble abode, I revel in a dedicated broadband connection or Fiber to the Home (FTTH) link that boasts speeds of 1 or even 2 Gbps. My home Wi-Fi connection is secure, and I can upgrade the router every 2 to 3 years. I have a second large LED monitor for my laptop to work on. Streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube keep me entertained and snacking late at night. A Covid-era colour inkjet printer is on standby.

So, why can’t we have the best of both worlds in a hotel room? With Digital Onboarding and a secure Wi-Fi profile, we could seamlessly connect to the hotel network. Likewise, having the capability to cast my content to the room TV securely would enable me to utilize my personal subscriptions for the latest episodes or stream my favourite Spotify and YouTube tunes. I can even request for housekeeping and room service online. Picture it: ordering room service, sipping on drinks, and indulging in the latest episodes in the lap of luxury.

The bar for hospitality is set so high in a luxury hotel that as an everyday consumer I cannot surpass it, and yet I easily outspend the hotel on consumer tech which surely is a minimal percentage a large hotel spends on coffee beans a month. From such a low base, the returns from an incremental investment in digital services far outstrip the increment returns to upgrade the already high hospitality aspect.

If we could indeed merge exceptional hospitality with efficient technology, wouldn’t that be a game-changer for the post-COVID era and the tech-savvy TikTok generation?

ANTlabs and Our Journey

Welcome to the future of hospitality, where technology meets exceptional guest experiences. At ANTlabs, we envision a transformative path that leverages Digital Onboarding to redefine how hotels engage with their guests and deliver digital services to deepen guest engagement and customer loyalty. In this blog, we embark on our journey through the Hospitality 2.0 Pyramid. This is a strategic framework, where the key to success lies in seamlessly integrating technology and hospitality, unlocking competitive advantage.

ANTlabs Hospitality 2.0 Pyramid

ANTlabs has over two decades of expertise in hospitality, collaborating with Telcos and service providers. Our technology, including internet gateways and Cloud Wi-Fi management platforms, has powered guest Wi-Fi solutions worldwide. Notably, our networking solutions played a vital role in facilitating connectivity during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, arguably the world’s largest hospitality event in recent history.

We use the Hospitality 2.0 Pyramid to systematically deconstruct the guest’s digital journey across diverse sectors, encompassing hotels, airports, stadiums, and F&B retail. At its core lies Digital Onboarding, the cornerstone upon which exceptional guest experiences are constructed.

Digital Onboarding: The Foundation for Excellence

Digital Onboarding, a seamless guest registration process, extends beyond mere Wi-Fi connectivity. It encompasses an array of user-friendly steps, including app downloads and enticing incentives for loyalty program enrollment, setting the stage for an unforgettable stay.

User Identification: A Crucial Step

Moving up the pyramid, User Identification is a pivotal phase where the recognition of users on the network takes center stage. The absence of authenticated user devices destroys the capacity to provide personalized and distinctive services.

User Recognition allows the network to associate a guest’s identity and elite member status, allowing for personalization while ensuring privacy. This is achieved via integration through the PMS interface, loyalty program databases, identity management solutions, or a combination of the above.

User Engagement: Elevating the Experience

In the middle of the pyramid, User Engagement comes into play where personalized interactions through digital services and apps enhance guest convenience and overall satisfaction.  For example, the use of AI Chatbots or just simple messaging maintains a high-tech, high-touch hospitality experience, in the absence of a trained and experienced guest relations officer.  As a returning customer, I am always vexed by talking with interns or inexperienced operators who don’t understand what I want.  In a previous stay, I didn’t have the same issue.  The use of technology can mitigate the global hospitality staff shortage and maintain a high level of guest relations.

Provision of Digital Services: Enriching the Journey with Digital Onboarding

At the pyramid’s peak lies the Provision of Digital Services. Here, the focus shifts to crafting tailored offerings and streamlining service requests and delivery, resulting in a memorable guest experience.   For example, elite status members may be entitled to premium Wi-Fi speeds, allocated public IP addresses, enjoy secured Wi-Fi connectivity, and even web filtering services on the hotel Wi-Fi network for better security.  Other services can include casting user content like NetFlix to the in-room large-screen TV, seamless access to chatbots for service requests, and many more.

The Power of Seamless Onboarding: Increasing Loyalty Program and App Adoption

This logical diagram visually illustrates how the onboarding process can increase loyalty program sign-ups and app downloads. Through Digital Onboarding, a Passpoint or Hotspot 2.0 compatible Wi-Fi profile can be effortlessly stored on the guest’s device, guaranteeing seamless login and roaming privileges within the hotel group.

Guests should be incentivized to download and install the hotel app, accept the Wi-Fi profile, and participate in the loyalty program. This strategic approach maximizes guest engagement and lays the foundation for comprehensive digital service delivery.

Merging Hospitality with Technology

The anecdote that started our journey highlights a crucial point: we deserve the best of both worlds, especially in a mid-scale to luxury hotel room. By harmonizing exceptional hospitality with efficient technology, hotels can gain a competitive edge in the post-COVID era and appeal to the tech-savvy TikTok generation.

Conclusion: Aligning Hospitality with Technology

In conclusion, the guest’s journey through the Hospitality 2.0 Pyramid encompasses onboarding, user identification, engagement, and personalized digital services. This alignment of exceptional hospitality with technology will help discerning hotels differentiate themselves in a highly competitive market.

Without Digital Onboarding and User Recognition, meaningful guest engagement is not possible. It’s akin to losing the front desk manager who recognizes your most loyal guests.  A new desk staff will greet and treat every customer the same, and guess what? Over time, your guests will also treat you just like any other hotel – without loyalty!

With Digital Onboarding, connectivity becomes seamless, and recognition instantaneous, ensuring that guests receive the elevated service they deserve.  Seamless connectivity and instant recognition can also be extended across all properties within the same hotel group or loyalty program.

And with that, we conclude our exploration of the future of hospitality technology. We trust that you’ve found these insights valuable as we navigate the dynamic intersection of hospitality and technology.