Seamless Wi-Fi on the Seven Seas:

ANTlabs Powers Elcome and Starlink Partnership

The maritime industry has long struggled with delivering reliable, high-speed internet at sea. In an era where staying connected is vital for quality of life at sea, Elcome International, a leading maritime systems integrator, partnered with SpaceX’s Starlink to offer a revolutionary satellite broadband service. At the core of this solution is ANTlabs’ SG5 Gateway and ASP Cloud Wi-Fi Services Management platform, enabling seamless connectivity and advanced bandwidth controls that are powerful and flexible for maritime vessels worldwide.

The Challenge

Providing internet connectivity at sea has traditionally been an expensive and limited endeavor. Maritime operators faced challenges such as:

• High Costs: Legacy systems imposed high fees on operators and users, restricting widespread access.
• Limited User Control: Absence of robust tools for bandwidth management, prepaid systems, or volume tracking caused inefficiencies.
• Poor User Experience: Frequent connectivity interruptions and lack of roaming capabilities frustrated users.
• Fragmented Solutions: With various Wi-Fi vendors providing access points across fleets, operators needed a unified platform capable of integrating diverse systems seamlessly.

To address these, Elcome required a robust backend solution that could pair with Starlink’s low-latency satellite service. ANTlabs delivered the critical components to make this a reality.

The Solution: ANTlabs’ Role

Elcome launched its groundbreaking “WELCOME” internet service in mid-2024, powered by Starlink’s satellite technology and ANTlabs’ Wi-Fi Services infrastructure. Officially unveiled during a press release in Dubai, the service represents a milestone for maritime connectivity with availability in all international waters and territorial waters of 70 countries. The service boasts bandwidth of up to 350 Mbps and average latency below 99ms.

ANTlabs’ Contributions

1. SG5 Gateways: High-performance gateway devices connecting onboard users to the Starlink satellite network. Robust security and seamless integration with Elcome’s maritime systems.
2. ASP Wi-Fi Services Management Platform:

• Prepaid Internet Plans: Enables users to purchase data bundles or subscriptions at prices starting from $3, ensuring cost-effective access.
• Efficient Volume Tracking and Analytics: Operators and users alike benefit from data updates every minute, ensuring near real-time monitoring
• Roaming Capabilities: Users can retain their data plans when switching vessels.
• Payment Gateway Integration: Offers seamless online payment options.  Multiple payment options make access simple and stress-free, including seamless Stripe payment integration to ensure safe and secure transactions at sea.

What sets ANTlabs apart is its unique combination of deep R&D expertise and proven leadership in delivering connectivity solutions for hospitality and telecommunications industries. With over two decades of innovation, ANTlabs has been a trusted partner for hotel groups, Telcos, and ISPs, delivering scalable, user-centric solutions that set industry standards. Applying this extensive experience to the maritime sector has enabled ANTlabs to solve complex connectivity challenges with unmatched reliability and flexibility.

These solutions form the backbone of WELCOME’s service delivery, providing connectivity to over 1,500 vessels by late 2024, with plans for thousands more in 2025.

Impact and Results

Since its launch, WELCOME has significantly improved the quality of internet access for crew members at sea:

• Enhanced Crew Welfare: Crew members enjoy consistent, high-speed connectivity to stay in touch with family, access entertainment, and participate in online learning.
• Roaming Benefits: With WELCOME, crew members can use the data they purchase on one WELCOME-equipped vessel on another, ensuring seamless connectivity as they move between ships.
• Collaborative Opportunities: Elcome plans to partner with content and service providers to extend the reach of their products via WELCOME, further enriching the crew’s experience.

Voices from the Frontline

“We are excited to introduce WELCOME, a game-changing maritime internet service that will revolutionize how ships and offshore installations stay connected at sea.” – Asneed Ameer, Senior Manager Connectivity at Elcome (Elcome International).

Key Features at a glance

• High-Speed Internet: With bandwidth of up to 350 Mbps and average latency below 99ms, the WELCOME service ensures efficient communication and data transfer at sea.
• Flexible Payment Options: Affordable and customizable prepaid plans starting at $3 cater to diverse user needs.
• Roaming Across Vessels: Seamless connectivity for crew members who frequently change ships, ensuring they stay connected as they move.
• Global Coverage: The service is available in all international waters and the territorial waters of over 70 countries.
• Enhanced Crew Experience: Partnerships with content and service providers will offer additional benefits, extending access to entertainment, education, and more.
• Vendor Agnostic: Seamlessly integrates with diverse Wi-Fi access solutions, enabling broad scalability across fleets.

Conclusion

ANTlabs is proud to have provided the technological foundation behind Elcome’s WELCOME service, combining advanced satellite capabilities with user-centric features. By enabling high-speed internet access, cost-effective prepaid models, and real-time management tools, ANTlabs empowers Elcome to redefine personal connectivity at sea. As the rollout continues across thousands of vessels, ANTlabs remains committed to driving innovation and supporting the maritime industry’s digital transformation. With unmatched R&D capabilities and a proven track record of solving connectivity challenges, ANTlabs stands as the technology leader uniquely equipped to deliver global-scale solutions that enhance the onboard experience for crew and passengers alike.

Full disclosure: This article was written with a little help from AI—think of it as having Lt. Data from the Starship Enterprise assist with the writing. Seamless, precise, and a bit futuristic—just like the Wi-Fi we’re rolling out across the Seven Seas!

ASP 2.0 Update #7

Enhancements

• • Implemented a monitoring system to collect, store, and analyze data from a wide range of monitored devices, systems, and services
• • Upgraded Secure Remote Access Tool to version 8.8 for enhanced security and performance
• • Improved portals to allow configuration of slider start and end times
• • Enhanced authentication server to enable automatic database restarts
• • Implemented a new full sync command to resolve the data synchronization issue
• • Changed database storage engine for improved consistency
• • Disable strict data mode to turn off stricter data handling and integrity checks
• • Created a new scheduled task to regenerate session usage data, addressing the issue where the session usage chart was empty when a user logged out the next day
• • Changed the “Airline” column to “Flight Number” in the ASP Scan Report

Bug Fixes

• • Fixed Network Time Protocol configuration to ensure that all connected systems maintain accurate and consistent time
• • Fixed the bug where the user device information was missing
• • Fixed the issue where old authentication log files were not being cleaned up
• • Fixed the issue of the user creation debug log file growing continuously and introduced an option to disable logging
• • Fixed the issue of the database log file continuously growing
• • Fixed the issue where the global account failed to log in the second time using the same device and access point, returning an error that the user was already logged in
• • Fixed the issue that prevented the database server from starting
• • Fixed the database HA failover issue
• • Fixed the issue where gateway patch installation via ASP failed when the patch file was large

ASP VERSION: 2.0.7
RELEASE DATE: 18 Dec 2024

Musings of a Discerning (and Nerdy) Traveller:

How Breakfast Reminds Me of Hotel Wi-Fi

Okay, hear me out: As a self-proclaimed hotel tech nerd (occupational hazard, I know) who travels a lot, I’ve developed a particular appreciation for the details that turn a routine stay into something exceptional. Crisp satin sheets—Madonna was onto something there—paired with a pillow menu for neck support, refillable Nespresso capsules at the ready, and a “fix it in 20 minutes” attitude that keeps everything running smoothly. While most guests might swoon over skyline views or sip on a crisp, easy-drinking Prosecco, my inner geek is drawn to something else entirely.

I see guest experiences like breakfast buffets through a distinctly geeky lens—think user authentication, QoS, and integrated PMS databases. If that sounds strange, well, you’ve clearly never compared your Eggs Royale to retrieving elite status membership from the PMS. Let’s fix that.

Picture this scenario: It’s early morning, and I head down to the hotel’s breakfast buffet, looking forward to a decent meal before a day packed with meetings and emails. At the entrance stands a grinning trainee-of-the-day. She’s holding a clipboard and chirps, “Good morning, Sir. Room number, please?”

Under my breath, I mutter, “Ah… a cheap or no HSIA gateway,” referring to High-Speed Internet Access—just as an online gateway checks your credentials before granting you web access, this trainee is essentially a human “portal” controlling my entry to breakfast. I provide my room number (like inputting a username), she checks a printout (a low-tech guest database), ticks a box (permission granted), and waves me in.

Doesn’t even authenticate my credentials,” I grumble quietly. Simple enough, sure, but still something’s missing.

But as I navigate the buffet stations, I realize there’s indeed something missing—no recognition that it’s my 20th stay at the hotel, no personalized greeting, no sense that I’m anything more than “Room Number X.” Don’t get me wrong, I’m not expecting a VIP trumpet fanfare, but it’s a bit like having to log into a captive portal every single morning. I have “access” to the service (breakfast), but no memory of who I am, no saved settings, and no elite-user bandwidth. It’s just a one-size-fits-all login that grants me entry but offers none of the personalization I’ve earned. I’m being treated the same as a one-time tourist from the tour group that just arrived last night. I might be tempted to quote my neighbor’s room number next time, just to test the system. 😉

Now, let’s fast-forward to the next day. The trainee calls in sick. This time, the duty manager is at the entrance—think of this as an upgraded HSIA gateway, one that’s integrated with the property management system (PMS) and loyalty database. The moment I show up, I get a warm, “Welcome back! Glad to see you again.” Suddenly, I’m not just a room number. “Ah-ha! This is a better HSIA gateway with auto-relogin and seamless PMS integration. Facial recognition too?” I muse. It’s as if the network has recognized my device and credentials from yesterday, automatically granting me higher QoS (Quality of Service) and remembering that I’m a returning “user” with premium privileges. No re-entering details, no guessing who I am—just seamless, automated recognition.

Let’s take it a step further. Later in the week, with 95% occupancy—it’s all hands on deck—and the Executive Lounge Supervisor steps in to help at breakfast. She spots me and says, “Hi, Mr. Ang. Not breakfast in the Lounge today? Missing your Eggs Royale, I presume?” I grin, “Well, I felt like exploring the main buffet’s selections and indulging in some carbs at the noodle station today.” Without missing a beat, she offers to have the Lounge chef whip up my usual—extra hollandaise, extra smoked salmon, no muffin Eggs Benedict—still respecting my low-carb preferences. “We’ll have them sent down in about 10 minutes,” she says, ensuring that I can enjoy my favorite dish here in the main restaurant. “Ah, they are using our ANTlabs HSIA gateway with the Guest Experience platform,” I noted with glee, maintaining my composure. It’s as if this “intelligent system” (the hotel’s integrated IT infrastructure and loyalty membership database) has cached my preferences, dietary quirks, and past orders. Every staff member is effectively connected to the same central “profile server,” no matter their department or role. No re-authentication, no awkward “Actually, I’m a Diamond member” explanations. Instead, the experience flows smoothly, like a well-orchestrated suite of backend services instantly retrieving my data and applying it wherever I log in.

Of course, not every property can count on having a seasoned lounge supervisor at every breakfast shift, and with inevitable staff turnover, ensuring that even a new trainee can access a guest’s profile on demand is priceless.  But with the right IT system, you can empower any team member to be instantly “brought up to speed,” replicating that personal touch and guest familiarity no matter who’s on duty.

Before you think I’m stretching the analogy too far, hear me out again: Surveys consistently show that breakfast and Wi-Fi are among the most important factors for travelers. If the hotel let anyone walk into the breakfast buffet unchecked, they’d run out of premium fare in no time, turning a special perk into a chaotic free-for-all. Likewise, if Wi-Fi were open to the entire neighborhood, legitimate guests would struggle with sluggish speeds. Authentication, integration with loyalty programs, and differentiated service ensure that the right people enjoy the right benefits—maintaining quality and exclusivity for those who matter most.

Here’s another thought: I spend maybe 30 to 45 minutes at the breakfast buffet, but I’m glued to my laptop or phone for hours each evening—working, streaming, and video-calling loved ones. My engagement with Wi-Fi far exceeds my time at the buffet, so shouldn’t the quality of connectivity command at least as much attention (and budget) as breakfast?

In fact, it may cost less to provide quality Wi-Fi and personalized digital services for an entire year than what the breakfast operation spends on gourmet coffee beans and teas in a single month. When you break it down, the investment in IT infrastructure, loyalty integration, and personalized service is not just a hospitality nicety—it’s a strategic, cost-effective move that pays off in loyalty, satisfaction, and glowing word-of-mouth.

If I know I’m getting a carefully curated experience all around, I’m not going to ditch this hotel for a modest discount elsewhere. I’ll happily remain a loyal guest, indulging in Eggs Royale one day and working over blazing-fast Wi-Fi the next—because both the culinary and the digital experiences are tailored just for me.

Full disclosure: I used AI to help fine-tune my ideas and even generate the accompanying image. But rest assured, the Eggs Royale scenario—and the way I savor them—are 100% my own invention. The geeky analogies linking breakfast buffets and Wi-Fi were mine as well. No AI yet can replicate my low-carb preferences or extra hollandaise indulgences!

#Hospitality #HotelTech #GuestExperience #LoyaltyPrograms #DigitalTransformation #HSIA #HotelWi-Fi #ANTlabsHospitality

Unlocking Hotel IT: A Game-Changer for Guest Experience

The Luxury Paradox: Why IT Often Falls Behind

As a frequent business traveler, I’ve had the privilege of staying in some of the most luxurious hotels across the globe. Each time I walk into a hotel room, I’m greeted by a meticulously designed space where every detail—from the plush bed to the invigorating shower—exceeds the comforts of home. The room service is impeccable, and the guest services are always a phone call away, ready to cater to my every need. And while we’re talking about impressive service, let’s not forget that a plumber and aircon repair person on call 24/7 and arriving within 15-20 minutes is nothing short of amazing! It’s the epitome of luxury, and yet, there’s one aspect that consistently falls short: the IT infrastructure.

Despite the lavish amenities, the IT experience in most hotels is often lackluster compared to what I have at home. Think about it: I enjoy a blazing 10Gbps FTTH connection at home, secure access to my Wi-Fi 7 router, and seamless casting to my big-screen TV. In contrast, hotel Wi-Fi is often slow, inconsistent, and requires re-authentication (depending on which HSIA solution). Casting content from my phone to the hotel TV, if possible, is usually a frustrating process involving outdated technology.

The TikTok Generation’s Expectations: More Than Meets the Wi-Fi 😉

For today’s travelers, especially the Gen Zs and the TikTok generation, this disparity is more than just an inconvenience—it’s a deal-breaker. This demographic has grown up with technology as an integral part of their lives, and their expectations are sky-high. They’re not just looking for a place to sleep; they want an experience that complements their digitally connected lifestyle. If a hotel can’t provide that, they’ll quickly turn to one that can.

Bridging the Gap: Integrating Loyalty Programs with IT

Moreover, there’s another critical aspect that many hotels overlook: the integration of IT infrastructure with loyalty programs. In an industry known for high turnover and fierce competition for manpower, it’s all too common for guest preferences to be overlooked or for elite status to go unrecognized. While long-serving staff members might remember returning guests and their preferences, a new intern or less experienced staff member often lacks the knowledge or empowerment to provide the personalized service elite members expect. This can lead to frustrating experiences where the frequent traveler feels undervalued and their requests mishandled.

By integrating loyalty program databases with the hotel’s IT services, hotels can ensure that a guest’s preferences and status are immediately recognized, no matter who is attending to them. Imagine walking into your room to find a QR code for ordering room service (with elite status discounts applied) or submitting service requests via an app or web portal that auto-fills your preferences from the last stay, making it easy to get what you need without picking up the phone.

Small Investments, Big Impact: The Case for IT Upgrades

Here’s a perspective that may surprise you: the investment required to upgrade IT infrastructure is often a fraction of what hotels spend on other luxury amenities. For instance, the cost of implementing a high-speed Wi-Fi network with modern digital service solutions might be comparable to, or even less than, the annual expenditure on premium coffee beans for the hotel’s restaurant or the routine deep cleaning of carpets. These investments in IT not only enhance guest satisfaction but also offer long-term value that can significantly boost a hotel’s reputation and guest loyalty.

In an era where physical luxury is becoming increasingly standardized across brands, the next frontier of competition lies in the digital experience. And this is where IT infrastructure comes into play.

Future-Proofing Hospitality: Embracing IT for Long-Term Success

This is where companies like ANTlabs come in. As a leader in providing cutting-edge solutions for the hospitality industry, ANTlabs understands the critical role that robust IT infrastructure plays in enhancing the guest experience. From high-speed internet access to seamless TV casting and integrating digital service requests via QR codes and apps with the loyalty membership system and property management system, ANTlabs offers a suite of hospitality solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s tech-savvy travelers.

Imagine a hotel where the Wi-Fi is as fast and reliable as what guests have at home, where they can easily cast their favorite shows from their devices to the in-room TV with just a tap, and where QR codes enable quick ordering of room service or submission of service requests. Such features might seem like small incremental upgrades, but they can significantly enhance the guest experience, making their stay not just comfortable, but memorable.

Conclusion

Investing in robust IT infrastructure is no longer optional; it’s essential. Hotels that recognize this and take proactive steps to upgrade their technology will not only meet but exceed the expectations of their tech-savvy guests. They’ll create an environment where the digital experience matches—or even surpasses—the luxury of the physical space.

For the hospitality industry, this is an opportunity to differentiate in a highly competitive market. By prioritizing IT infrastructure, hotels can ensure that their guests feel as connected and comfortable as they do at home, if not more so. This isn’t just about keeping up with the times—it’s about staying ahead of the curve and setting new standards for what it means to offer a truly exceptional stay.

As we move forward, the hotels that invest in their IT infrastructure and integrate it with their loyalty programs will be the ones that win the loyalty of the next generation of travelers. And in a world where guest satisfaction is the ultimate measure of success, this is an investment that will pay off in more ways than one.

End Credits:

In the spirit of full transparency—and because honesty is always the best policy—I’d like to thank my AI co-author for its tireless work on this article. While I was busy sipping hotel room coffee and reminiscing about my latest travels, my AI sidekick was feverishly ensuring my grammar was flawless, my arguments were sharp, and my puns were (mostly) on point.

Yes, you heard that right—this article was brought to life with a little help from AI. But don’t worry, no robots were harmed (or overworked) in the making of this post. Just a digital assistant doing its part to help me sound smarter and save time. If you think this article was a tad bit longer than necessary, well, that’s because it’s my style and I’ve edited the drafts just the way I like it. Again, a demonstration that technology should be used to make things work easier for me and you.

So, the next time you’re enjoying seamless Wi-Fi or using a QR code to order room service in a hotel room, just remember: technology is here to make everything better, even blog posts. And if my AI co-author keeps this up, it might just ask for a raise—or at least a coffee break.

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

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.

ANTlabs powers guest Wi-Fi for Millennium Hotels & Resorts

Elevating guest digital experiences and hospitality for the world-renowned hotel group

In today’s hyper-interconnected world, delivering seamless guest experiences is the key to success in the hospitality industry. ANTlabs, a leading hospitality IT solutions provider, is proud to play a pivotal role in this pursuit by providing cutting-edge solutions to Millennium Hotel & Resorts (Millennium H&R), an established and world-renowned hotel group. The successful completion of the first phase marks a significant milestone as Millennium H&R has standardized their Guest Wi-Fi portal and integrated ANTlabs’ solutions across their Middle East properties. This will greatly enhance guest satisfaction, and brand identity, and allows the IT management to streamline its operations.

ANTlabs: A Proven Innovator in Hospitality IT for Over 23 Years

With over 23 years of industry experience, ANTlabs has earned a reputation as a trailblazer in hospitality IT solutions and garnered the trust of hotels and resorts worldwide. “Our collaboration with Millennium Hotel & Resorts in the Middle East has been a testament to ANTlabs’ expertise spanning more than 2 decades in delivering exceptional IT solutions for the hospitality industry. Through our high-capacity SG5 gateways and ASP Cloud Wi-Fi Management platform, we have successfully standardized their Guest Wi-Fi experience across their Middle East properties. We are thrilled to witness the positive impact on guest satisfaction and brand identity, and we eagerly anticipate the next phase of seamless roaming and loyalty program integration.” – Mr. Peng Soon, Aw, VP Sales & BD, ANTlabs.

Standardizing Quality Hotel Wi-Fi Experience with Unmatched Flexibility

Through ANTlabs’ high-capacity SG5 gateways and the ASP Cloud Wi-Fi Management platform, Millennium H&R have achieved a unified and immersive brand identity across their properties in the Middle East. The portal standardization has amplified guest engagement and satisfaction while granting Millennium H&R the flexibility to customize services to cater to local preferences and cultural nuances.

Advanced QoS for Streamlined Bandwidth Management

Millennium H&R can now seamlessly manage and optimize bandwidth allocation with ANTlabs’ Advanced QoS features. This ensures uninterrupted connectivity for guests, regardless of their location within the premises. A multi-stage QoS engine will allow the hotel to flexibly manage the bandwidth per device, or per user account, and even assign dedicated bandwidth tiers to certain user groups if needed.

Cross-Pollination of Technology Features for Unmatched Scalability

ANTlabs’ expertise extends beyond the hospitality sector as they also serve large service providers and mobile operators. This cross-pollination of technology features allows ANTlabs to infuse the scalability and robustness of solutions designed for massive network infrastructures into the hospitality domain. Hotels and resorts benefit from state-of-the-art technologies that have proven their mettle in demanding and complex network environments. One example is the Advanced QoS feature that has multi-stage QoS control and field tested in large public venues and city-wide Wi-Fi hotspots by mobile operators.

Looking Ahead: Seamless Roaming and Loyalty Program Integration

The upcoming phase will see ANTlabs further enhancing guest experiences through seamless roaming capabilities, allowing guests to transition effortlessly between different Millennium H&R properties in the Middle East after a first visit. Moreover, the planned integration of Millennium H&R’s esteemed “MyMillennium” loyalty program with ANTlabs’ solution will encourage enrollment and offer guests exclusive benefits. Recognition of Elite members will enable Millennium H&R to extend personalized VIP experiences, reinforce customer loyalty, and deepen customer engagement and relationships.

Conclusion

With the successful completion of the first phase, Millennium H&R has taken significant strides in transforming guest experiences through standardized Guest Wi-Fi offerings and brand identity. ANTlabs’ cutting-edge solutions have elevated guest satisfaction and streamlined bandwidth management, enhancing operational efficiency. As Millennium H&R looks forward to the next phase, they anticipate even greater success in enhancing guest engagement and promoting their MyMillennium loyalty programme. With ANTlabs as their trusted HSIA Hotel Wi-Fi solutions provider, the hospitality industry can expect continuous growth in guest experiences and loyalty, solidifying Millennium H&R’s position as a leading brand in the Middle East. The collaboration underscores ANTlabs’ commitment to delivering unparalleled guest experiences while empowering Millennium H&R to achieve excellence in their hospitality services.

ASP 2.0 Update #4

Enhancements

• – Added Transaction Report and Revenue Report for Global Account and Global Code
• – Enhanced the Global Code GUI to generate a single code
• – Enhanced the Global Account/Code list not to call external API for each record to get data
• – Added option to delete expired Global Accounts/Codes
• – Added Download function to download Global Accounts/Codes
• – Changed column name from “Expected End Time” to “Valid Until” in Global Account/Code list.
• – Added Remember Org ID option in SSO login page
• – Added Physical IP Address column in Assets > Gateways List
• – New option in built-in templates to add a second logo for provider branding in the page footer
• – Added default error for form user’s invalid email verification link
• – Enhanced equipment add/edit/delete/move function not to rollback if admin log insertion failed.
• – Allowed to create admin level 2 – 99 for all organizations
• – Allowed to create the same admin email under different organizations
• – Improved the site duplicate performance when site has big portals
• – Allowed to upload .svg format for logo, backgraound, slider images in portals

Bug Fixes

• – If site has dedicated cloud gateway, keep existing cloud gateway assigned to site even all equipments are removed from site
• – Fixed editable custome portal uploaded logo/banner images are not saved
• – Fixed permission check for Portal Edit icon, Global Account Add button, Site Edit icon and Allocate buttons in overview page
• – Change minimum upload/download bandwidth value from 0 to 1 in each QoS class
• – Fixed a portal resources synchronization failure that occurs when the portal size is 800 MB.
• – Fixed issue when restoring gateway configurations, if the gateway is unable to report its status to ASP, the restore status stuck with the message ‘Restore request initiated. Please check again later”
• – Fixed missing organization name in organization license report email
• – Fixed discrepancy between the number of records specified and the number of records shown in Global Account list GUI
• – Fixed search issue in Global Accont/Code list.
• – Fixed search issue in Transaction Report
• – Fixed 500 server error in Gateway License
• – Fixed permission check in Site Management > Bandwidth menu
• – Fixed the login redirection issue that can cause a 404 not found error
• – Fixed high CPU utilization caused by local datetime update cronjob
• – Fixed the issue with the total value of new users in the data table. The problem was that the calculation didn’t include the last row.
• – Fixed missing module which can cause tunnel server connection check failure
• – Fixed session report that does not show records on some dates when the start delay time is huge
• – Fixed issue where the ‘First Login Time’ was not updated when a user logged in with a global account or code
• – Fixed issue where ASP logo was hidden in some screen sizes
• – Fixed Global Code table header and data column not matched when logged in as view-only admin
• – Fixed portal logo partially hidden in Macbook Devices
• – Fixed custom portal success, error and login pages selection lost if form is refreshed

APIs

• – Added new API: Organization License GET to retrieve information about Organization License. This API can be used to obtain details such as login license limit, global account license limit, modules allocated to organization. Additionally, it provides usage values.
• – Added new API: Site License GET to retrieve information about Site License. This API can be used to obtain details such as login license limit, webfiltering license limit, modules allocated to site. Additionally, it provides usage values.
• – Enhanced Global Code Add API to allow to generate single code

ASP VERSION: 2.0.4
RELEASE DATE:29 May 2023