ResConnect Internet Access

Because so many people are starting to make use of the internet from home as part of their daily lives, why should developments have other standard features such as TV aerials, telephone lines and intercoms without catering for the tenants' Internet access needs?

ResConnect is a complete Internet management system designed in house from the ground up with the tenants' needs in mind. ResConnect enables Internet administrators at residential developments to manage new tenant registrations, share available backbone bandwidth equally between tenants and handle support queries effectively. One of the main design considerations have been to automate as much as possible, reducing administrator interaction.

Benefits to Gated Community/Estate/Complex

• 24/7 broadband internet access.
• Low monthly cost per resident.
• Fast internet access. Available bandwidth are equally and fairly split between all the users making use of the internet at the same time.
• Quick signup. Users are directed to the ResConnect registration page the first time they try to open up a web site. 80% of the time registration can be done without a technician having to visit the resident.
• Free ResConnect Webmail email address.
• Free Google Postini anti-spam email filter for each Resconnect Webmail email address.
• Easy online access to bandwidth usage reports.
• Easy online access to ResConnect bandwidth top-up. This can be accessed even if the user have already been capped.
• Residents can contact the ResConnect helpdesk via the online portal without spending any money on a phone call.
• Voice over IP telephones with 087 telephone numbers can be ordered at a minimal monthly charge.
• No need to wait for telephone wires to be installed when ordering a Voice over IP telephone as the handset will be connected to the already installed ResConnect Internet network.
• Other IP devices such as CCTV cameras, access control, IPTV, etc. can be connected to the already installed ResConnect network therefore reducing the installation cost.

Benefits to ResConnect Administrator

• Complete Internet Access System in one solution. Includes DHCP server, DNS server, NAT router, firewall, bandwidth manager, etc..
• Can connect to any type of internet connection such as leased line, ADSL, iBurst, 3G, satellite, fibre optic, wireless radio link, etc..
• Can manage residents on any internal network mediums such as fibre optic, CAT5/6 copper, WiFi, Homeplug (powerline ethernet), etc..
• ResConnect will automatically share available bandwidth fairly between the currently connected users. This reduces the amount of bandwidth required to cater for a vast number of Internet users.
• Low maintenance. Because we have designed ResConnect to be highly automated, very little interaction are required. This enables administrators to manage more residents with a smaller workforce.
• Easy management via simple web interface. All management and support tasks are performed from a standard web browser. The ResConnect Management Portal can be accessed by authorised administrators from any Internet enabled computer.
• Free access to new system updates. Because ResConnect are a hosted and service, all new updates can be deployed to all the gated communities making use of ResConnect, with the click of a button. Our engineers and programmers are constantly improving ResConnect to adapt to the needs of users and changing technology trends.

History

In 2002 we have seen the need for installing Internet access as a standard feature in new residential developments. Some developers already started installing Internet at some of their developments, but did not have the necessary IT expertise to realise that simply sharing an ADSL connection between a 100 users will not work! The only option would be to equally share available bandwidth, cater for bandwidth top-ups and offer quality telephonic and onsite tenant Internet support.

After extensive research we could not find any software and/or hardware that would enable us to effectively and fairly share the available bandwidth at a development between all the tenants and cater for bandwidth top-ups. This made us decide to start developing our own custom solution in-house that would fulfil the exact needs of the developers and tenants.

In January 2004 we implemented the first version of ResConnect in a new development serving 383 tenants. This proved to be a huge success making us focus our efforts into improving the ResConnect Internet System for future installations.

We have recently upgraded all the existing gated communities running ResConnect to version 3 adding a lot of new features to the system for tenants and administrators.

Currently more than 1500 users are making use of ResConnect on a daily basis with many more gated communities to be connected soon!

How ResConnect works

Other providers of Internet access at gated communities believe that the connection medium used to network a development is the key to success. We on the other hand have realised that technology change all the time and that a wireless network may work for one gated community's layout, fibre optic or even CAT5 copper may be a better option for the layout of another. And while leased line circuit may be the cost-effective option for one development, multiple ADSL lines may work better for a development in another area.

The great thing about ResConnect is that it will work on any network medium and internet connection. We even have a mobile demo ResConnect system set up using 3G which we can take to any potential customer to show them how ResConnect works.

The ResConnect router equipment are located at the gated community, connected between the installed network and internet connection. All management can be done remotely from any computer connected to the internet by accessing our securely hosted ResConnect management servers. By keeping expensive server equipment offsite, we minimise the initial installation cost, operational cost and security risks. This also enables us to easily deploy new system updates and features to all existing gated communities with the click of a button!

After plugging in to (or wirelessly connecting to) the installed network, new tenants are presented with an user-friendly registration page where they can register for internet access. The registration process guides them through configuring the settings on their computer and tells them where to check their usage, top-up with additional bandwidth or check their web mail.

Connecting to the ResConnect Internet Access is simple after registering. Internet usage are billed by data used and not time spent online, therefore residents could leave their computers connected to the internet 24 hours a day to be informed as soon as they receive new emails without paying for the long hours spent online.

Administrators log into a separate portal on the secure ResConnect servers to manage the ResConnect users spread across various gated communities / complexes. The Administration Portal are used to authorise new tenant registrations, activate bandwidth top-ups, monitor bandwidth usage, respond to tenant queries via email, phone or SMS and view various reports. Extensive reports enables administrators to detect abusers, view a list of inactive users to provide pro-active support, list accounts used on more than one computer and list computers using more than one account just to name a few.

Our engineers are constantly working on improving Resconnect and adding more features as the needs of residents and technology changes. Upgrades can be deployed to all installations of ResConnect by the click of a button.

Need more information?

Contact one of our ResConnect Sales Consultants to find out more about ResConnect or to arrange for a demo.