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Connectivity with a cuppa


Johannesburg, 02 Dec 2009

Along with the Internet comes an enormous range of opportunities and possibilities, from the notion of delivering connectivity through to the ability to conduct unrestricted trade.

One of the business models that has emerged is the ability to provide the convenience of connectivity with a cuppa; what better way to enjoy the Internet than with a good coffee. But the providers of such a service face their own challenges; a particular one is how they provision, measure and bill for the bandwidth provided.

For RedButton, the answer to what is a tricky question for non-techies turned out to be a simple one: the Web Africa API designed for this purpose.

RedButton provides Wireless Internet Hotspot services to the hospitality and residential sector of South Africa, explains the company MD Jalal Ghiassi-Razavi. It uses bandwidth supplied by Web Africa as well as the API (which stands for Application Programming Interface - a software program) to ensure simple control of bandwidth allocation and billing.

“WiFi connectivity in caf'es and restaurants is becoming a necessity; through our solution, we are able to give proprietors in the hospitality industry the ability to easily and conveniently provide Internet access at their premises,” Ghiassi-Razavi says.

The first and arguably most important step for RedButton is the connectivity itself. Ghiassi-Razavi explains that it services 288 wireless hotspots across the country. “For this, we look to Web Africa for the backbone to support the delivery of fast and reliable Internet access,” he says.

But it is the API that distinguishes the value that Web Africa creates. “Using this solution has resulted in substantial reduction in the time taken to set up a new hotspot. That's a crucial advantage in the service industry, as clients expect the best quality and speed of service when it comes to Internet connectivity,” Ghiassi-Razavi explains.

“We are the first and only South African ISP to offer such a service. It empowers our customers and gives them the flexibility to write their own systems, affording them the ability to reduce their operating costs and do business their way,” says Matthew Tagg, CEO of Web Africa.

He says its API was developed as the result of experience, which proved the limitations of existing solutions. “When we started in the ADSL space, we made use of the control panels that the larger ISPs provided to add, remove and manage our ADSL users on their system. As we grew, however, this became increasingly cumbersome, with ADSL signups taking the large majority of our time. That led to creation of our own authentication system, allowing us to completely manage the users on our systems,” he explains.

The Web Africa API provides essential functionality, including:

* Automatic billing - the Web Africa API provides the required facilities (such as reporting) for automated billing.
* Account creation - the RedButton operations team creates Internet accounts without delays. The API supports this dynamism, providing for automation of configurations.
* Reporting - RedButton can monitor account usage accurately, information which is used not only for billing, but also for marketing purposes.
* Account maintenance - for tasks such as enabling and disabling accounts and changing passwords.

Quality and speed, Ghiassi-Razavi continues, are key pillars, which underpin the RedButton value proposition; Web Africa in turn supports that through its API. “Using the solution allows us to automate key financial functions as well as elements of the operational requirements. This saves valuable time, provides for pinpoint accuracy and leaves us to focus most on what is important to us: our clients.”

In terms of support, Ghiassi-Razavi says the fact that RedButton can directly interface with the person who programmed the solution - Richard Smuts - is invaluable. “We communicate directly with Richard via instant messenger. That's a level of support than cannot be matched; one-on-one interaction with the person who made and designed the API. We've even contributed to the development of the product by providing input on feature requests. That shows Web Africa's commitment towards meeting our needs rather accurately.”

Ghiassi-Razavi says the features of the API are essential to the effective operation of RedButton. “The ease of use of the solution keeps us ahead of the competition; maybe that's something we shouldn't be telling them!”

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