Internet Cafe Setup

[jahman182]

Not a problem we always try to help our members. Keep us posted.

[oodads]

HandyCafe downloaded and am just waiting now for those NComputing devices to become available...Was hoping to get them locally but trying to get someone to order and ship them for me now.

I use HandyCafe, its free and simple...
And I use Nexxt Wireless Adopters with all my PCs

[kilaj1]

There a few people here that know me personally, mostly from owning and operating my own Internet Cafe...those initial start up cost is actually ALOT lower than what i had. My initial investment was 500k which i got from a Credit Union. If I recall correctly 15 systems cost me around 300k. This was years back so prices definitely alot lower. This was wehn a 5MB package from Lime cost 10 grand a month. I also did all the networking my self.

Ill try to give you an idea of what i went through, the ups and the HUGE downs to this type of business.

LAN gaming and Computer specs

Looking over your system specs I'm not too familiar with how u have them listed. But one avenue which Im sure you have considered is online gaming. Specifically the FPS games. This was a major driver for my cafe, it put people in the seats. That being said, i would base my system specs around that, a system that can run the popular FPS at at least mid quality settings.

From there I would setup the network to support that, meaning (which has already been said) Cat5e (if you have the cash CAT6) with a 24 Gigiabit port, preferably managed, cost more but allow for advanced setup of your network.

What ever specs you get, try to make ALL systems the same hardware....check below for why

Microsoft VS open source, MS office

A few people will tell you to go Open source, and the way they crack down on licensing nowa days Im inclined to go that way, but the flip side of that is learning curve for your customers. But MS has a deal where office 2013 cost around $15USD for 2 copies, not sure of any deal on the OS. There are a few Linux gurus on tech JA who would definitely help you go open source.

For Cafe management I evaluated around 20 different programs and I found the easiest, feature rich, customizable one by far was TynaSoft Easy Cafe. It allows you to create custom splash screens on your client PCs, create time cards pretty nice.

Keeping your systems clean

One of the first things I implemented IT wise was to have a disaster recovery option and routine maintenance on my systems. as you can expect, you wont get the most tech savy people and the occasional shady people. I used Symantec ghost to re-image all of my systems weekly. the way it worked was i popped in a boot disk and connect to a main system i setup with a clean image of the system and in around 20-30mins the systems is as if it was just built.

[Flexx17]

^ very good post yo....TJ needs a thank system enuh

[kilaj1]

Thanks, there is a lot that goes into starting up companies like this. Ive seen may start and fail, including my own for various reasons. btw oodads, do you have a location for this place already? if so do you know the layout, that adds to the cost when your spec'ing out your network and furniture, which is just as important as getting the PCs in.

Ive been in a few shops that where so dam compact it was very uncomfortable to be in, I can only assume the one thing that got people coming back was the location. My shop was very spacious even enough to host fairly large LAN parties, people could bring there own systems and I had a huge table in the center of the room for that. But the location was not the best.

Do you have a business plan? usually its best to have that not just for your own benchmarking and milestones, but if you, for what ever reason, need a partner to come in or go to a bank, its best to have that on hand.


Then again, after re-reading all this....I realize you could just be asking about the tech side only...so let us know so i not giving u useless info lol

[nickhu1]

I was and still am considering starting up an Internet cafe myself. There are a few things here that i have considered and others that I have not. But I have a great business plan which by the way needs to be updated and a source for money. I welcome any ideas to modifying my business and make it a success. i should be getting back about $700 grand from Gov as tax re-reimbursement.

[jahman182]

It's a great time now to open an Internet Cafe in Jamaica considering the fact that the Govt and private partners are being forced by International Lending Organisations to increase Internet connectivity to the masses in Jamaica which will help to increase productivity (another topic) in many sectors e.g. Education, App development and Agriculture to name a few. The good thing is the demand for Internet connectivity is on the rise and the demand will certainly affect The Internet cafe owner in a positive way. In the US Internet acces is taken for granted as it is available everywhere you go and when you compare Jamaica it hard to fathom that there are some places you can't even get access via your phone.
That being said; here are a few things to consider when developing a business plan for your Internet cafe. The Thin client setup will save you bunches of dollars for the initial cash outlay, operation, maintainance and electricity bills most importantly.
Smart phones and Tablets are the norm today so make provisions for them in your cafe setup so make sure you provide a wireless service with high concurrent user capability. Not everyone will be a user of your in house terminals and prepaid wireless will generate additional revenue with little capital outlay. You can even provide always on prepaid wireless to the immediate community surrounding your store. Supplement your cash flow with beverages, snacks etc it's a way to enhance and maintain your cash flow and encourage people to come in and buy something even if it's just to get a soda. Also sell small items such as SD cards, flash drives etc. and as the cash flow strengthens you may want to consider doing some computer repairs if you have the skills. The sale of Used and refurbished laptop and desktop computers are also in high demand because of the cost to acquire them and the savings afforded to your customers.

[oodads]

Thanks for all the questions...

business plan: check.
Partner: check - he could be a little more active though but it's good.
location: Oakton Plaza in HWT right behind the Portmore bus stop.
Layout: Six(6) stations along one side of the shop...trying to upload some pics.
Target Niche: internet surfers, students finishing up projects and need print jobs. The plaza is heavily trafficked with students etc in the environs....
Not targeting the power user LAN party type people because of high energy consumption - which is what I've found to be a killer and as such decided to avoid the individual cpu's and go with a virtual setup instead (NComputing Extenda X550)

Thanks, there is a lot that goes into starting up companies like this. Ive seen may start and fail, including my own for various reasons. btw oodads, do you have a location for this place already? if so do you know the layout, that adds to the cost when your spec'ing out your network and furniture, which is just as important as getting the PCs in.

Ive been in a few shops that where so dam compact it was very uncomfortable to be in, I can only assume the one thing that got people coming back was the location. My shop was very spacious even enough to host fairly large LAN parties, people could bring there own systems and I had a huge table in the center of the room for that. But the location was not the best.

Do you have a business plan? usually its best to have that not just for your own benchmarking and milestones, but if you, for what ever reason, need a partner to come in or go to a bank, its best to have that on hand.


Then again, after re-reading all this....I realize you could just be asking about the tech side only...so let us know so i not giving u useless info lol

[jahman182]

Great......Seems like you're on your way. All the best.

[kilaj1]

Thanks for all the questions...

business plan: check.
Partner: check - he could be a little more active though but it's good.
location: Oakton Plaza in HWT right behind the Portmore bus stop.
Layout: Six(6) stations along one side of the shop...trying to upload some pics.
Target Niche: internet surfers, students finishing up projects and need print jobs. The plaza is heavily trafficked with students etc in the environs....
Not targeting the power user LAN party type people because of high energy consumption - which is what I've found to be a killer and as such decided to avoid the individual cpu's and go with a virtual setup instead (NComputing Extenda X550)

nice, me kinda nitpicking but what kinda printer you getting? you want to be careful with that selection as small things like ink can eat into profits. and if its going to cater to the schoolers with the SBAs and projects and such, ink will get used up alot. Laser printers are usually a big investment but easier on the toner vs ink jet printers

those NComputing Extenda X550 unit are interesting devices, my company use to use ones called wyse terminals which is pretty similar, have you done any testing with it?

I was and still am considering starting up an Internet cafe myself. There are a few things here that i have considered and others that I have not. But I have a great business plan which by the way needs to be updated and a source for money. I welcome any ideas to modifying my business and make it a success. i should be getting back about $700 grand from Gov as tax re-reimbursement.

depends on where you are in your planning oodads layed out exactly where he is and where hes going. If its source for funds Credit Unions are usually easier to get than most banks, but you said u getting back a decent amount from taxes. Most of whats really needed to start something like this up has been said though.