PowerCloud Announces First Plug and Connect Solution for Turnkey Commercial Wi-Fi Hotspots

PALO ALTO, Calif., May 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- PowerCloud™ Systems, Inc., the leading provider of cloud managed networking device software for OEMs, today announces CloudCommand™ Hotspot Edition, the first cloud-based platform specifically designed to rapidly deploy and manage custom Wi-Fi hotspot solutions.  This new offering dramatically reduces the cost and complexity of providing Wi-Fi guest access for a wide range of businesses, enabling them to meet the surging Wi-Fi demand of mobile users.

Based on PowerCloud Systems' CloudCommand technology, CloudCommand Hotspot Edition is a cloud-based software platform for networking OEMs and service providers that eliminates the difficulties of deploying and managing commercial or free hotspot networks for wireless Internet access. It lets service providers, including OEM resellers, and their customers create single or multi-site hotspot networks at a fraction of the capital and operating expenses required by current solutions.  It also provides state-of-the-art flexibility in controlling and, optionally, monetizing guest Internet access while delivering complete security and serving as a potential platform for mobile marketing.

"Mobile users expect Wi-Fi connectivity for their smartphones and tablet computers wherever they go," said Jeff Abramowitz, PowerCloud Systems' president and CEO.  "CloudCommand Hotspot Edition is the most affordable and simplest to deploy full-featured hotspot solution on the market.  It dramatically improves the ability for businesses and service providers of all sizes to deliver private guest Wi-Fi to waiting rooms, hotels, shopping malls, schools, resorts and restaurants.

For both service providers and their customers, CloudCommand Hotspot Edition provides multiple revenue-generating opportunities through customizable connection plans designed to fit different business models.  Businesses may offer free limited access, prepaid access, pay-as-go access or any combination of these choices.  Network administrators and front-desk staff can adjust access and billing settings on an individual basis.

"The turnkey deployment model and remote-management capability of CloudCommand Hotspot Edition make this a great Wi-Fi solution for visitor-based networks, particularly for businesses that require basic enterprise functionality but have limited budgets," said Louis Miller, CEO and founder of Hotspot International.  "CloudCommand Hotspot Edition expands and enhances the portfolio of Wi-Fi solutions we currently offer our hospitality customers throughout Mexico and Latin America."  

CloudCommand Hotspot Edition works equally well for all small and medium enterprises and is particularly well suited for the hospitality, education, retail and healthcare markets.  Amer Networks, an international OEM specializing in the education market, leverages hotspot functionality across school district campuses to control Internet access by individual student, session duration and bandwidth usage.  Amicus Data LLC, a boutique managed services provider and networking consultant in Portland, OR, that supports multiple small businesses and coffeehouses, deploys CloudCommand Hotspot Edition for customers seeking its revenue-generating features and simple-to-use front desk interface.

Key Benefits CloudCommand Hotspot Edition

Key benefits of the CloudCommand Hotspot Edition include the ability to:

• Deploy commercial hotspots as simply as connecting a wireless access point
• Build revenue-generating service plans based on multiple parameters such as pricing, usage, time of access and bandwidth
• Process online credit-card payments with no setup required
• Simultaneously offer different hotspot service plans to different users
• Provide introductory, free service upgradable to paid options  
• Limit user access by session duration and/or total bandwidth usage
• Deliver time-limited free access activated through text messaging
• Customize branded login portals, terms of use and more

About PowerCloud Systems, Inc.

PowerCloud Systems is the leading provider of cloud managed networking device software for OEMs.  The CloudCommand online platform makes networking equipment and resources economical and dramatically easier to deploy, configure, secure and manage.  Based in Palo Alto, Calif., PowerCloud Systems is a spin-out from PARC that is funded by PARC, Walden Venture Capital and Javelin Venture Partners.  For more information, visit www.powercloudsystems.com.

For more information, contact
Brian D. Johnson, PowerCloud Systems, Inc.
925.337.8911
[email protected]

SOURCE PowerCloud Systems, Inc.