FAQs. Frequently Asked Questions.

Do I need a PC to control a Wilico Access Point (AP)?

Wilico APs are very advanced electronic devices that may work stand alone; no PC is needed to control them. An IP connection is needed to remotely manage content as well as have access to real time statistics from your AP proximity channel. If no IP connection is available, APs will store your data; all the stored data will synchronize with the ASP server once the IP connection is available.

What mobile phones are compatible?

Wilico APs are compatible with any Bluetooth^® enabled mobile device that uses OBEX protocol, including PDAs (+ 1000 different models).

What is OBEX protocol?

OBEX is one of the protocols used by Bluetooth^® devices to exchange information. For example, a wireless keyboard implements Bluetooth^® radio, but does not use OBEX, so no content transfer is possible.

What is the advantage of using the ASP architecture?

The ASP architecture permits you to create your own proximity private network, gathering all data in real time and centralizing content management with a simple mouse click. Centralizing the control of your core network, by means of the Wilico ASP server, guarantees AP firmware and the database of Bluetooth^® enabled mobile phones created are kept updated. APs are scalable and can be equipped with modules for Wi-Fi and NFC. The Wilico Suite is a powerful back office solution used to control the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns. Any new content on your network can be deployed to the AP with a simple click of the button (you can either select a specific AP, or group them).

What is the coverage radius of Wilico APs ?

Transmission power of the Wilico APs Bluetooth^® modules can be regulated through the Suite Wilico from 1 mW (some 3 meters of coverage) up to 100 mW (some 100 meters of coverage and the legal maximum EIRP transmission power for Bluetooth^® devices). The effective coverage depends not only on the power transmission but also from the Bluetooth^® mobile phone handset antenna that is interacting with the AP. Most part of the mobile phones only accept a maximum of 15-25 meters coverage even when the AP is transmitting at 100mW.

Is it complex to install a Wilico AP?

Wilico APs are designed and delivered for easy "plug & play" set-up. Nevertheless we can raise a quotation for any specific need you may have (either local or multinational events).

How many simultaneous connections are supported by a Wilico AP?

The Wilico APs includes 3 Bluetooth^® modules permitting 21 simultaneous connections. However, in a master-slave configuration of 1 master +3 slaves, you may increase the connection figure up to 80.

In a very crowded environment such as a Fair with many radios coexisting at the same time in the same space, can the system collapse?

No. Although you may pre-configure the firmware for this scenario using our Suite, we would recommend contacting our technical support for advice on architecture implementation. For a Fair scenario we would recommend load-balancing the workflow using a master-slave configuration of 1+3 APs (cooperative mode). Our APs cross-communicate and distribute the load of tasks. Many times we have seen other solutions collapse while our users happily enjoy receiving large quantities of data.

Do I need client software to download content?

No you do not. Wilico APs will identify the brand and model of your mobile phone (more than 1000 models are recognized) and will send you adapted content, matching your phone’s capabilities (operating system and display size and resolution are configured), thus maximizing your multimedia experience. If you require client software development services, FuturLink can also be providing this.

Is it possible to send information from mobile phones to Wilico APs?

Yes, provided the mobile phone has previously downloaded a client application that permits this interaction (today almost 60% of the mobile park permits this: Windows Mobile 2003+, Symbian 7.0+ and 2.1 UIQ+ as well as MIDP2 JAVA compatible devices). This is a powerful tool that permits contextual/proximity based interactions. FuturLink will soon offer Wilico API software permitting software developers to create 2-way applications.

Does the Wilico platform store MAC addresses or information from the mobile phone owner?

No, this would not be legal. The Wilico technology assigns a correlative and unique ID for each mobile phone interacting with our platform; we do not know or store information about the owner of the phone, the Mobile Operator or mobile number.

Is it possible to integrate the Wilico platform with other platforms (CRM, CMS)?

Yes, FuturLink may license its platform for big roll outs. We have our own APIs that can be utilized after we analyze your architecture. Our Services department can provide you a quote if requested.

Do the Wilico APs re-send the same content after the first download?

No, unless the Wilico owner has modified the content. This is permission based technology; our solution is designed to not bombard the recipients. APs within the same network cross-communicate so that a user who has downloaded content in a particular location of a shopping centre, for example, will not be invited to download the same content when at a new location in that same network… even if they are located in different cities/countries.

I am not a radio expert, how do I configure the AP chipsets?

The Wilico Suite does this for you. You will only have to select the appropriate scenario (Shopping centre, Music event, Fair, etc) and the system will automatically adapt its firmware your proximity environment. This unique feature of Wilico enables you to maximize the performance of the AP in complex environments.

How can you guarantee I will receive new updates of the Wilico Suite and AP firmware?

FuturLink offers updates of new Bluetooth^® mobile phones entering the market on a weekly basis. The Wilico platform incorporates new functionalities and firmware updates to enhance user performance. FuturLink offers update packages and new plug-ins to its client base.

Can Wilico APs send my own rich multimedia interactive applications?

Yes, the Wilico Suite permits to assign different content (including rich interactive applications programmed in any version of JAVA, Symbian or Windows Mobile) to a specific mobile phone or select a family of mobile phones sharing same Operating System or same display size. The wizard will inform of any mobile phone without assigned content assuring that any mobile phone will at least receive some controlled content.

Can I send specific content to a specific mobile phone model?

Yes, using the manual assignment option within the Wilico Suite you can control what content is sent to each mobile phone.

How many downloads can a Wilico AP process daily?

Maximum number of daily downloads depends on the weight of content to be downloaded and the number of clients to attend.

May I use Wilico APs outdoors?

Wilico APs are designed for indoors. However there is a cost-effective solution we recommend in using NEMA outdoor IP65 plastic boxes.

Can Wilico APs run on batteries?

Wilico APs may run on external DC batteries ranging from 6V to 15V. Outdoor billboards using a public light system, for example, would need a charger at night. With each charging cycle it is possible to have up to 14 hours of operation using high capacity low profile batteries.