RedButton has launched it's Free WiFi product which gives restaurateurs and hoteliers the ability to wholly control Internet access and use it as a tool to control patron habits.

The hospitality industry is becoming a cut-throat business. The first spend to be hit in an economic downturn is luxury purchases. For some restaurant and coffee shop owners, this means that there are often more tables than patrons and each one is spending less money per sitting.

Two years ago, wireless hotspot offerings were a rare thing in a restaurant. Today many venue owners have installed this offering, but have been frustrated by customers who spend endless time (and data) while only purchasing a bottomless cup of coffee. Most offerings today are either free access at all times, or more often, a rather steep R2 per Meg charge.

RedButton has developed a new offering for their nation-wide client base which allows them to control the amount of data offered, when it’s offered and at what price.

“Each restaurant has its own peculiar trends. A coffee shop on Long Street may have a brisk trade for breakfast, but then slow down mid-morning. By offering them complete control of how they allow patrons to connect to the Internet means they can drive up traffic during their quiet time”, explains Nico de Wet , product and marketing manager of RedButton.

This particular offering allows a limited free offering to entice people into the venue, then when tables are busy, a data charge can be implemented which can also act as an additional revenue for the establishment. The real time manipulation means that the venue can change times and rates as it sees fit.

Installation is also easy with a plug and play device connecting into an ADSL router. RedButton is able to assist management with their settings, but ultimately the control rest with the owner.

“There is a particular need for this in the market as tourism increases. Global travellers are accustomed to having always-on Internet, the trick is to use this as a means to control traffic and purchasing patterns to suit your needs,” de Wet concludes.

The product itself is based on nearly a year's worth of research and development. Intense Broadband, a leading national wireless internet provider, was instrumental in the initiation of RedButton's Free WiFi.

According the Peter Marais, MD of Intense Broadband "There is a need for free wireless internet in South Africa. Most clients that want to download mail and use the web don’t use a lot of bandwidth and providing a free limited megabyte package through RedButton has proved to be a reliable and successful business venture as clients are using it more and more."

RedButton's Free WiFi product is already boosting the business of popular restaurants and coffee shops nationwide. Locations in Cape Town include Wimpy Rondebosch, Long Street Cafe, Depasco and Beleza. Locations in Gauteng include Cuppacino's, Greenfields and Primi Junxion. Click here for a listing of public RedButton hotspot locations.