Wicoms have just published it’s white paper on WiFi in Retail. The white paper describes and recognises the shifting emphasis of WiFi devices as a strong constituent part of a retail Omni Channel marketing plan.

Click here to request a copy of the white paper.

Press Release – Wi-Trends 1.1 Launched and Being Deployed by Customers

Today, 4^th February 2013, Wicoms has launched the latest version (1.1) of the intuitive Wi-Trends WiFi analytics and management platform, which is already being used in retail, banking and enterprise WiFi services applications.

Wi-Trends Analytics is a cloud-based service, which is transforming the way venues and customers view and use public WiFi. Displaying valuable trends (well beyond how many people logged into a venue on a particular day) – such as repeat visitors to first time users; tablet users to mobile users; the quietest time of the day and usage to peak hours – the analytics and security features generated by Wi-Trends are both innovative and extensive.

The Wi-Trends platform is also compatible with a wide range of hardware, making deployment even more cost effective by re-using existing installations.

These analytics tools are the difference between simply allowing customers to browse the internet and really understanding trends and user activity. Wi-Trends makes available location based information, tailored to your user base and with your brand or messages in full view throughout.

Key Features

•       Dashboard
  - The intuitive dashboard instantly gives you an analytical overview of the network. Here you can view live and relevant user session and monitoring information.
•       Reports
  - The reports generated by Wi-Trends are extensive, from basic sessions information to advanced user trends analytics. Wi-Trends Analytics has them all.
•       Monitoring
  - Live monitoring information from venues is crucial for the WiFi service so we’ve made it a key component of Wi-Trends Analytics. All live monitoring and session data is overlaid on a map for clean and clear analysis and dynamic responses to traffic patterns or faults.

Peter Hase, CEO of Wicoms said

“Wicoms has established a significant lead in regards to analytics over WiFi and we remain focused on what the venue needs to make best use of the key data from users on their locations. We have built this latest release of Wi-Trends on the back of actual user feedback across many applications and following the successful launch of the Free Skype WiFi service.

“With the retail markets now ever more dependent on their mobile customer experience and multi-channel to enhance their relationships with customers, Wicoms expands the proposition for our customers. Just a few months on from the Free Skype WiFi service launch, Wicoms now has the Enterprise and Guest WiFi users covered with a sophisticated analytics platform that will continue to add value from WiFi applications”.

A recently published White Paper from Wicoms clearly shows that customers in-store want to see offers and promotions on their mobile device when they are out and that they are using these devices more and more whilst they shop the High Street.

Wicoms has an expanding range of service partners that engage with their customers to deliver a complete end-to-end WiFi solution and has plans to expand Globally with their platforms and partnerships.

About Wicoms

Wicoms is a wireless integration business, selling with channel partners, to service and support the needs of enterprise customers that require sophisticated wireless solutions. Wicoms blends it’s own technology for user access and management of wireless services, with products from major industry players, to arrive at a fully managed solution. Operating since 2007, we have a superb pedigree working with customers and partners such as Skype, Motorola and JT Global. By 2014 Wicoms will have an integrated wireless management platform that will enable the support and control of many wireless technologies and hardware for enterprise users.

Embedded within all our services is our analysis platform (Wi-Trends) that allows networks and their venues to understand how their own customers use WiFi and has sophisticated analytics included.

In May 2011 Wicoms was acquired by Auster Capital Partners (ACP), a New York-based private equity and investment advisory firm. With the proliferation of tablets and smartphones, ACP believes that the WiFi space is set for more expansion and that Wicoms’ enterprise focus means it can deliver unique solutions to business.

Wicoms take content filtering extremely seriously.  The safety of consumers, the reputation of the venues they are in and the brands of the carriers and partners we work with are all at stake.  We block porn in all the locations that use our technology and service.  We also block malware and phishing sites as we value the safety and security of all those users that put their trust in us.

Wicoms operates a belt and braces system, with two levels of filtering.  Whilst content filtering can never be 100% failsafe all the time, we think we do a pretty thorough job.  Firstly all traffic is filtered by our own content system, for which we buy a commercial block list that is updated hourly.  Secondly we also use the world leading OpenDNS service (as used by one in three US schools) as a second line of defence in the unlikely event we miss something.

We firmly believe public WiFi should be as safe as possible, and should foster a safe environment for children.

In a recent YouGov survey conducted by Wicoms, 52 percent of all the people surveyed

who had used public Wi-Fi hotspots whilst out shopping, said that the experience is generally poor. Wicoms and Skype have partnered to create the Free Skype WiFi network to improve the Wi-Fi experience for consumers by bringing easily accessible and free public WiFi that consumers can trust.

Wicoms’ new Free Skype WiFi will allow Skype users to log in to any participating Free Skype WiFi location across the UK and Ireland with their Skype ID using the Skype WiFi app. For those without a Skype ID, all it takes is a single step email entry in order to gain access. Once connected, consumers can use the reliable and free Wi-Fi provided by Wicoms to browse the web, engage with social media, access and send emails, shop, compare prices and even download special deals from participating high street retailers.

Shadi Mahassel, Program Manager for Skype Access commented: “Simplicity is at the heart of everything Skype does. We believe that internet access should be available to everyone in a simple and affordable way. Our partnership with Wicoms enhances our ability to make Skype universally accessible and expands on our WiFi strategy, which today provides paid WiFi access at over one million locations worldwide.”

Free Skype WiFi will also provide businesses with the opportunity to engage directly with customers on premise through their mobile phones. Wicom’s survey revealed that at least 33% of 18-34 year olds are browsing Amazon, eBay or Google on their mobile phones to compare prices and products while out shopping. With Free Skype WiFi, businesses can provide their customers with direct connectivity onsite and start to engage with customers in-store, providing special deals and product information to drive sales conversion.

Wicom’s survey also revealed that over 50% of 18-34 year olds would be more likely to buy something from a store there and then, if the store was able to send a discount or voucher to their phone when they entered.

Owen Geddes, Managing Director at Wicoms commented: “We’re helping brick and mortar retailers effectively compete with online retailers. By working with a globally trusted partner like Skype to provide Free Skype WiFi on-premise, business owners and high street retailers can open a dialogue with potential customers and encourage sales conversion with the power of the mobile phone.”

Free Skype WiFi is available for businesses and venues through a number of different packages starting from £9.99 + VAT a month, plus a router costing £49 +VAT. However, throughout October 2012, Wicoms is offering businesses, free of charge, use of the hardware and the ability to deliver the WiFi service, for the duration of October 2012. There are no strings attached; at the end of October, Wicoms will contact every business which has accepted this offer to see if it wants to continue providing the WiFi service, and if it doesn’t, it can still keep the router free of charge.

Included in each package is a detailed analytical dashboard to help merchants make the best use of the data from the WiFi service. All packages are available from Wicoms at http://skypewifi.wicoms.com.

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For further details on Wicoms, please contact:

Neil Robertson at Speed Communications

Neil.robertson@speedcommunications.com

Tel: 0207 842 3211

@neil_robertson

Nicole Hudspith at Speed Communications

Nicole.hudspith@speedcommunications.com

Tel: 0207 842 3245

@nicolehudspith

For more information on Skype please contact:

Josh Wheeler at Grayling

Josh.Wheeler@grayling.com

Tel: 0207 025 7597

About Wicoms

Wicoms, formed in 2007, supplies WiFi solutions to carriers and brands. Wicoms has a team of industry experts with decades of experience with an innovative approach, allowing Wicoms to truly lead the global wireless broadband market with customers such as Skype and JT.

Embedded within all our services is our analysis platform (wi-trends) that allows networks and their venues to understand how their own customers use WiFi.

In May 2011 Wicoms was acquired by Auster Capital Partners (ACP), a New York-based private equity and investment advisory firm. With the proliferation of tablets and smartphones, ACP believes that the WiFi space is set for more expansion and that Wicoms’ enterprise focus means it can deliver unique solutions to business.

About Skype WiFi

With Skype WiFi you can surf the web, visit your favorite social networks, check out your email and make free Skype-to-Skype voice and video calls* in bars and restaurants, hotels, public transport and airports… Wherever there is a Skype WiFi compatible third party WiFi network.

It’s really easy to use. You only have to make sure you have the latest version of Skype installed on your Windows or Mac device, or the Skype WiFi app on your iOS device**. Just connect to the ‘Skype WiFi’ hotspot on your device’s WiFi settings, and follow the instructions. Find out more about Skype WiFi at http://www.skype.com/go/skypewifi 
About Skype

Skype is communications software whose purpose is to break down barriers to communication. With an Internet-connected device, families, friends and colleagues can get together for free with messaging, voice and video. At low cost, they can also call landlines or mobiles virtually anywhere in the world. Founded in 2003 and based in Luxembourg, Skype is a division of Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT). Skype can be downloaded onto computers, mobile phones and other connected devices for free at www.skype.com.

*Skype to Skype calling is free, calls to landlines or mobiles cost just a little using Skype Credit or a Skype Subscription. Web browsing is also available.
**iOS devices include iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad running iOS 4.1 or newer.

JT have embraced the Wicoms WiFi For Carriers solution to deliver public WiFi and private enterprise propositions to their customers. We will be updating the Wicoms site with a case study soon, but until then you can see the JT product page.