Am I getting the correct information?

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Am I getting the correct information?

Horseychick

150 posts

Master Geek

#243589 19-Dec-2018 15:16

I'm just starting a new restaurant/bar so I rang the Spark business people to arrange for fibre to be connected as their website shows it is available at that site.

After talking for a few minutes I'm not sure the business person is giving me the correct information. He tells me that for 3 EFTPOS terminals and up to 7 tills plus laptop I will need a managed connection at $617 per month.

Or I can go with a basic fibre connection for $150 per month plus a specific Cisco router at another $130pm.

So my questions are:

I don't think I need a managed connection and static IP addresses mostly based on the cost, but am I being unwise?
Do I need to spend $130pm on their Cisco router, or could I buy one up front and it will cost me less in the long run?
Do you have any advice on my setup that might lead me in a diff direction?

I know those are quite broad, but I'm also open to anyone who thinks they can give me a better setup that doesn't make me feel like I'm being taken advantage of.

hio77

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Lizard Networks

#2147887 19-Dec-2018 15:42

As a small bar/restaurant, i suspect cost wise you may be better off going with the small business side.

Sounds to me like the plan you have been quoted is geared at medium to enterprise level.

If you have a particular need that the more Medium sized services require, I'm not seeing the detail in your post.

I have made a few assumptions.

1. Eftpos would be over IP, no a standard dialout

2. You don't have a complex security requirement that has guided this recommendation

3. you don't need an advanced phone feature set.

Your probably best off speaking to your local business hub as they know the products very well. Likely they have even setup other joints.

#include <std_disclaimer>

Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

xpd

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#2147888 19-Dec-2018 15:43

Most smaller businesses I know of, just get a basic connection and router and away they go. Talk to EFTPOS supplier about requirements over IP but doubt you'd need much at all.

Just remember, you're probably talking to a sales rep more than anything, so they'll want you to pay as much ;)

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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snnet

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#2147984 19-Dec-2018 16:22

EFTPOS over IP works out of the box so you can use a no frills standard supplied router, there are IP modules for most alarm systems, modern CCTV have cloud p2p access for remote viewing, no need for any of the stuff theyre talking about for a bar/restaurant.

Set things up for a few and just used the basic business options

cyril7

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#2147995 19-Dec-2018 16:27

Hi, for what you are after a $150/mth 100/100 small business fibre connection is all you require, it will come with a standard Huawei router which will be fine as long as you have under 30odd users.

If you need more, just go with a Edgerouter Draytek or Mikrotik, both will provide more than what you need, shelling out $130 for a managed solution is not good value for money.

The Draytek is probably the easiest to get going depending on your network knowledge, but I would rate the other two better, but more knowledge required.

Cyril

kornflake

409 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2148049 19-Dec-2018 19:30

Just get their (if you still want to) unlimited 100/100 fibre connection, and a $45 8 port gigabit switch, your bigger concern will be structured cabling.

chevrolux

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#2148071 19-Dec-2018 20:12

What's the rep's name?! I want to hire them for sales!! Pretty decent upsell going on there haha.

As others have said though, a bog standard $100/month for fibre is just fine. POS has very small bandwidth requirements. The basic Huawei router is just fine.

Perhaps just consider spending a couple hundred bucks with an IT guy and get a pro to set the network up right the first time. Where are you located? I'm sure there are people on here that could assist.

Edit: please please just dont go to a spark business hub. I haven't met a competent rep at one of them yet.

Horseychick

150 posts

Master Geek

#2148204 20-Dec-2018 09:36

Thanks guys, it definitely sounded like an upsell. I'm not clueless, but I haven't done a Fibre connection before so I appreciate your advice.

@chevrolux - he definitely didn't seem like a competent rep and yes he's from the Spark Business Hub

I'll get the basic Fibre and go from there. Good idea about getting someone to set it up, and I do have someone I can ask who will groan, but do it

Quic Broadband

Move to New Zealand's best fibre broadband service (affiliate link). Note that to use Quic Broadband you must be comfortable with configuring your own router.

xpd

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#2148211 20-Dec-2018 09:44

I found in my past dealings with the business hub guys, is that they seemed to be very sales focused rather than actually helping you get what you needed. One of my past employers, we went through about 3 "account managers" in a month......

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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Mattmannz

471 posts

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#2148366 20-Dec-2018 13:30

You won't get everything setup for a couple of hundred dollars but you would be best placed to engage a local small IT services company to supply a suitable business grade router and wifi solution and test things like site coverage etc. You will then have someone who is familiar with your site should you have issues moving forward. Also consider things like guest wifi, UPS for basic protection, backups and Antivirus which are all typical small business requirements.

Cheers

Matt