Many retail stores around the globe have already deployed or have been deploying Wi-Fi to expand their relationship with customers. In a recent study entitled “2011 Devicescape Wi-Fi Report 2011”, Jiwire Mobile Audience (News - Alert) Insights indicated that 80.5 percent of respondents prefer retail stores with Wi-Fi versus those without it, while 65 percent would take advantage of Wi-Fi for various reasons and 53 percent are willing to share their location to receive more relevant content and promotions.
Cashing in on this market trend, Mountain View, California-based AirTight Networks – a provider of wireless intrusion prevention systems (WIPS), PCI (News - Alert) wireless compliance scanning and secure Wi-Fi access for retailers – has started offering AirTight Cloud Services, formerly SpectraGuard Online.
The company’s Cloud Services are a suite of managed services that add Wi-Fi access – branded as AirTight Secure Wi-Fi – to its portfolio of on-demand wireless security and compliance solutions. These services are ideal for retail, hospitality and quick serve restaurants, as the suite of managed services provide them with a secure WLAN network with minimum cost and complexity while satisfying all PCI DSS wireless security requirements at no additional cost.
As the first company to offer hosted, cloud-based, secure Wi-Fi access, PCI scanning, and network security in a single device, AirTight has incorporated key benefits into the AirTight Cloud Services such as pay for only the wireless security and Wi-Fi access features required; predictable total cost of ownership; no hardware or software obsolescence; and more.
Built specifically as a cloud offering, AirTight Cloud Services are offered as three levels with a simple automated upgrade to any of the other modules as required such as AirTight Wi-Fi; Wi-Fi access with captive portal/walled garden; Wireless IPS; compliance scanning and reporting; real time alerts; wireless security; and more.
In particular, the AirTight Cloud platform delivers the most cost effective enterprise solution for in-store Wi-Fi as well as for all the security and centralized management of the traditional WLAN vendors at a low, all inclusive monthly fee per store.
The company’s Cloud Wi-Fi access is offered as hosted, cloud-based, secure Wi-Fi access, PCI scanning, and network security in a single device.
“AirTight's Cloud Services allow restaurants, hospitality venues and retailers to expand their relationship with customers with Wi-Fi based, value-added services such as customized content and e-coupon special deals,” said Jack Torgow, VP of sales for AirTight, in a statement. “The captive portal and walled garden capabilities give merchants a way to expand their interaction with guests by providing opt-in localized content, creating loyalty programs and garnering in-store customer feedback, all of which are incentives to keep the customer coming back and in the store for longer periods of time.”
In recent news, AirTight Networks joined the Juniper Networks (News 
- Alert) Technology Alliance Program, which is designed for partners who work with Juniper to deliver exceptional customer experiences through complementary technology solutions.
Want to learn more about Managed Service Providers? Then be sure to attend MSPWorld, collocated with TMC’s ITEXPO East 2012, taking place Jan. 31-Feb. 3 2012, in Miami, FL. Since its inception, MSPWorld has been the only event with a single, vendor-agnostic focus of supporting Managed Service providers and their respective ecosystems. MSPWorld in Miami will delve into the most pressing channel and end-user issues that MSPs and their customers confront every day. For more information on registering for MSPWorld click here.
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Jayashree Adkoli is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Jayashree's articles, please visit her columnist page.Edited by
Jennifer Russell
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