WLAN Notes and Mobile Device Practice
Error messages and delays on the mobile device
In general, there should be neither error messages nor waiting times when using the CLOU MOBILE, mPOS and mobile payment terminals, with rare exceptions.
- When the system is busy, text messages appear. For example, if a table is to be settled and reopened before it is printed. In such situations, you need to give the system a few seconds. In practice, there are no known problems with this. However, if such messages frequently interfere with your workflow, settings and devices can be adjusted so that this no longer occurs. Contact your reseller or Hypersoft support for more information.
- Short waiting times in the WLAN lead to a dialogue about connection problems being displayed. In borderline areas of the WLAN, with unusually high workloads or in connection with exceptional circumstances, this notice may be tolerated. It should not occur frequently at all. If this leads to frequent waiting times, you need to have your WLAN, LAN and the devices involved checked. If the message is yellow, the network is accessible, but the //IIS
Internet Information Service
This is a Microsoft service platform for PCs and servers. They are used to make documents and files accessible on the network. is not. If the message is coloured red, no network is available. - Waiting times in the Web service that are not displayed by the wizard. For example, a "circular wait symbol" appears. This is an exception that should not occur in normal operation. The CLOU MOBILE system has sent a request and is waiting for the reply. If this frequently leads to waiting times, you must have your WLAN, LAN and the devices involved checked.
Normally, none of the three variants can be created or prevented by the mPOS programmes, but only by optimal configuration of all components involved. Rather, the dialogs and especially the wizard already consist of special programs, which were only created to solve occurring problems as easily and independently as possible.
Technical WLAN requirements of the devices
- Prefers DHCP, fixed IP's after arrangement.
- Depending on the end device, special WLAN options:
| Device type | Devices Model | 2.4 GHz | 5 GHz |
| POINT OF SALE | All in One 4 | Yes | Yes |
| POINT OF SALE | Lifestyle Mini | Yes | Yes |
| POINT OF SALE | Lifestyle Pro | Yes | Yes |
| POINT OF SALE | lifestyle plus | Yes | Yes |
| POINT OF SALE | Project One | No WLAN | No WLAN |
| POINT OF SALE | Vitality | No WLAN | No WLAN |
| POS | Plain |
No WLAN*1 |
No WLAN*1 |
| POS | Shape compact unit |
No WLAN*1 |
No WLAN*1 |
| POS | Balance |
No WLAN*1 |
No WLAN*1 |
| Printers | Belt printer BR_SPP-R200II (with WLAN) | Yes |
No |
| Printers | Multiprinter 3 | Yes | Yes |
| Printers | Multi-printer444 |
No WLAN*1 |
No WLAN*1 |
| mPOS | Hypersoft Tablet //4 | Yes | Yes |
| mPOS | Orbit | Yes | Yes |
| mPOS | Orbit NEXT (cancelled) | Yes | Yes |
| mPOS | Old ROCKET | Yes | Yes |
| mPOS | Sonic V 1 and V2 | Yes | Yes |
| mPOS | Rocket (for Android) | Yes | Yes |
| HS Pay | Verifone Countertop P400Plus Hypersoft Pay Edition | Yes | Yes |
| HS Pay | Verifone Portable V400M Hypersoft Pay Edition | Yes | Yes |
| HS Pay | Saturn F2 (portable) | Yes | Yes |
| HS Pay | Saturn EL | Yes | Yes |
*1 - In the Hypersoft Standard the unit is delivered without WLAN, there is the possibility to make the unit WLAN capable via an extra WLAN dongle, please contact your sales contact if required.
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The target is approx. 50% reception strength in all areas. Sometimes it can be too expensive to illuminate every area via WLAN. But remember: if you do not light up some areas correctly, write this down and hang it out with a simple diagram. So every employee (even those who join later) can easily know in which areas the devices are to be used. Example:
- If you generate a WLAN area and measures the reception strength, one looks involuntarily to the access point/antenna). However, the operators of the mobile device usually stand with their faces to the guests and their backs to the access point. The WLAN is then shielded by the own body and in practice a much lower level is reached. While in rooms walls may still be able to help by reflecting the signals, the WLAN on a terrace must radiate via the straight path from the access point to the mobile device and from the mobile device with the limited energy of the battery back again. On a terrace the effect of the shielding body is even more absolute.
- When illuminating, make sure to hold the measuring devices as an operator would hold the mobile devices later. Position yourself more intentionally so that the body is securely between the device and the access point.
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Although the use of so-called repeaters or bridges increases the range per repeater/access point, the transmission rate is at least halved at the same time. So the network becomes much slower.
- This can always only be an "emergency solution", use high-quality components such as controllers for access points instead.
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It is more advisable to use several access points on different channels which are connected via a controller.
- Access points must not be too close to each other, otherwise they will have a negative influence on each other (this also applies to Orderman antennas, by the way).
- Precise planning of the correct distance between the access points and the exact positions as well as antenna alignment is very important.
Pay particular attention to correct mounting when positioning the access points on the ceiling (so that the access point also transmits into your rooms and not against the ceiling).
- A well-placed access point can work better than multiple badly-placed and poorly-tuned devices.
- Multiple access points should be controlled by an additional controller, especially when roaming is set up (mobile devices should connect to the most appropriate antenna). However, if you use several individual areas, it may be better to assign individual devices exactly to these areas and then label them and instruct employees so that they are only used there. It can make sense for an employee to switch on his or her device at the point of use instead of in the "wrong area". You should also bear this in mind with the payment terminals, as these could cause disruption to normal operations, especially when roaming (depending on the model - consult your EC terminal supplier if necessary).
- The least loaded channel or channels should be used for the AP. Channels should have a spacing of at least four channel numbers. Therefore, certain channel combinations are preferred for overlapping radio cells (e.g. 1,5,9,13 in normal case otherwise depending on protocol). Normal for Casio And Honeywell are 54MbIt (unless n protocol is used, at 11g the channel bandwidth is 20 MHz, so channels 1, 5, 9 and 13 remain separate from each other). With the 11n standard, the bandwidth grew to 40 MHz, so in the 2.4 GHz band only channels 3 and 11 can transmit without overlapping. It should also be noted that WLAN channels 9 and 10 are close to the peak value of the "leakage frequency" of conventional microwave ovens (2.455 GHz), which may interfere with these channels.
- If you want to "help yourself" you can, for example, use the "Wifi Analyzer for Android" to find out which channels are already heavily "preloaded" by other devices in the vicinity (possibly switch off your own existing WLAN).
Observe the respective access point settings to better control the transmission power of the access point. Many outdoor access points must be set to "Outdoor" in the device, which usually influences the transmission power of the access point.
Urgent multicast recommendation (no broadcast)
A common reason for hidden difficulties in the WLAN can possibly be explained and remedied here. In fact, there is a setting that usually improves the constant communication with the handsets:
There are several forms of network communication. Common forms include broadcast and multicast. With broadcast, information is sent to all endpoints, whereas with multicast, information is sent specifically to the affected devices.
With the manufacturer Unify, we have been able to ascertain vicariously that Broadcast is set in the standard and that this leads to poor connection performance with our devices (as the form of communication in this context can slow down the entire network). We assume that with multicast, in contrast to broadcast, targeted communication takes place and thus the entire network is also less heavily loaded.
Our experience also shows with other manufacturers that broadcast technology can cause difficulties in network communication. Therefore, we explicitly recommend using the multicast method for networks with Hypersoft in the standard.
Settings and designations...
The setting to switch to multicast can be made in the router or controller. Unfortunately, the designation of the setting is different depending on the manufacturer and possibly even on the device generation of the same manufacturer.
With a Fritz box, the effect can be achieved with the setting Optimise WLAN transmission for live TV, with other manufacturers it is called IGMP or similar. It is important to find a setting for the multicast procedure. If necessary, contact the manufacturer's support.
Roaming is used to use the best access point when moving the mobile device and several access points. Mobile devices and access points can use very different WLAN components from different technical generations. What appears to be technically compatible at first glance can then turn out to be problematic in stressful situations.
If the mobile device itself actively supports roaming, it will select the appropriate access point when the signal strength of the currently connected one is no longer good. However, there are also access points (which we recommend) that become active themselves and may even communicate with each other. These then take care that the mobile device is addressed with the appropriate access point.
So in practice, it may well happen that your modern smart phone works well everywhere in the WLAN and at the same time your payment terminal (which, due to its design, is technologically already rather several years old when it was delivered in the past) has problems with roaming. With these devices, there is an additional essential aspect if they are linked to the POS system and are to support Pay At Table.
Inform and train your employees so that they do not consciously or unconsciously use mobile devices in areas where there is no Wi-Fi (for example: kitchen or staff rooms). If this is unavoidable, we recommend using additional access points there for homogenisation (so that the mobile devices do not have to constantly log out and log in). If necessary, reduce the transmission power of such access points so that your mobile device logs back into the actual working area as quickly as possible and does not start switching over there.
Warning against improper handling during charging
One of the most common causes of mobile device failures is defects in the charging contacts. These can be caused mechanically, by improper battery replacement or chemically by contamination. Batteries must never be changed under the influence of stress, as this can lead to incorrect operation, which can reflexively result in the application of inappropriate force. In addition, contacts are unfortunately soiled in practice, e.g. with sweat, drinks and even dipping sauces. If the devices are then connected so dirty for charging, galvanic reactions occur and the copper contacts dissolve or insulating layers form, which can lead to charging problems. Therefore, please ensure that such contact points are always kept clean and dry before placing devices in charging trays or connecting them to chargers.
Our tip : Training on how to change batteries in an orderly manner is standard for every employee with mobile devices and exchangeable batteries.
Special equipment requirements and recommendations
- Train your staff to change the batteries properly and to check and clean the contacts before plugging in/charging. The units last much longer and work more reliably.
- In the event of a technical malfunction, it may be necessary to connect a mobile device to a PC so that your dealer, Hypersoft Support or you can access it yourself. For this purpose, a USB interface cable is used on a PC on which the Hypersoft Suite is installed. In the event of support, a PC should be accessible and a contact person should be available for this purpose.
- If you are working with a server, it may rarely be restarted. It may be necessary to restart the server after several weeks of continuous use to restore performance. This is required, for example, if updates are required for the operating system or other components.
- Updates: Hypersoft distributes updates and hotfixes for the Hypersoft programs several times a year. These are also forwarded to the mobile devices.
- For security reasons, some mobile device generations (CLOU MOBILE for Windows) require an entry before installation, which you must confirm positively - otherwise work with the devices cannot be continued.
Load distribution and devices
The mobile devices are fast enough to work well with. However, the other components must also be fast enough to provide and transaction the information. The following components are involved:
WI-FI...
The WLAN transports the data in both directions. The more devices registered in the WLAN, the more devices must share the available bandwidth. Devices with better reception have an advantage here.
Hypersoft Programmes...
CLOU MOBILE loads the item data and some other information into the local memory after an operator login. When a transaction is opened, the (entire) POS system is informed, but the CLOU MOBILE then works without a interface and does not require any WLAN bandwidth until the transaction is concluded again with "New balance" or as "paid".
The creation of order receipts and invoices as well as the entire information transactioning takes place in so-called subsystems - these are CLOU cash register programs without visible dialogues. Subsystems can run on POS terminals or on a server. Since POS terminals usually have less power than servers, a subsystem on the server can run the mobile devices faster than on a POS terminal.
Since only one sales point can be addressed per PC (e.g. relevant for merchandise management), several subsystems (such as POS programs) may need to be used due to different settings, and the subsystems may have to be distributed to several devices. The load should then also be taken into account in such a way that the strongest devices also carry the most load.
Also very important is the /IIS Internet Information Service
This is a Microsoft service platform for PCs and servers. They are used to make documents and files accessible on the network. (Internet Information Service) which communicates with the mobile devices via Hypersoft. The IIS should run on a strong device. Since it is a Windows component, a current Windows operating system should also be used.
The ZEN SQL database is very powerful and is usually not a limitation to the working speed. If, for example, a (relatively inefficient) POS terminal functions as a server, the SQL database for all transactions is used in addition to the IIS, waiting times may occur if larger or many transactions are billed at the POS at the same time. In addition, the SQL database as a server license is designed much differently and is more powerful.
Orderman Devices...
Orderman devices, on the other hand, act like remote controls and are always wirelessly connected to the cash registers when in use. The radio frequency is far below the WLAN frequencies, so Orderman is also a good alternative to (the rare) insurmountable WLAN interference. Note the announcements Discontinuation of Orderman products
Error messages and correction
| issue | resolution |
| When the operators log on, the data is not transferred - the CLOU MOBILE cashier mode does not appear. | If you work with multiple IP ranges and use IP routing, this effect may occur. Contact your administrator: use an IP range or move the system so that the effect is avoided. |
| Recurrent sporadic failure of the WLAN interface. | Check for interference. This is caused, for example, by "cheap imported LED lamps" or by (defective) microwave ovens. |
| When opening and closing an transaction, the Wizard appears for a short time | This behavior can be related to a specific problem: Certain access points cannot transaction messages related to the power save mode of mobile devices. Switch off the Power-Save mode of the mobile devices to avoid these short interruptions. |
| Slowed system | Check the server or PC that controls the mobile devices. Restart it and compare the speed. |
| Increase of error messages | Check the server or PC that controls the mobile devices. Restart it and compare the number of error messages. |
| Older: The units do not establish a USB connection. |
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Further remarks
The following remarks do not apply in all situations and only serve to supplement existing knowledge.
If you use the Hypersoft Multidrucker 3 in WLAN, you are currently technically limited to 2.4 GHZ. To avoid interference, set your Wi-Fi so that the printer can always connect to the Wi-Fi. We recommend that you switch off 5 GHZ so that the multi-printer can always connect specifically.
If this is not possible for you, you should create a separate SSID for the printer.
Set up ONLY WPA2 ( AES)
During configuration it is essential to ensure that only "WPA2" or "WPA2 (AES)" is selected as the protocol. Most APs/routers are set to "WPA / WPA" or so. "WPA mixed Mode" etc. ( depends on the language usage of the manufacturer). For WPA, there may also be a key handover setting called TKIP. The guidelines for TKIP stipulate that routers that have activated this protocol may connect with a maximum of 54 MBit.
For this reason, please always activate WPA2 as the only setting (unless old hardware must be connected via WPA). Otherwise it can happen that all devices only connect with max. 54MHz.
Select 20MHZ wide channels, DO NOT select the 40MHz, change / check router....
At 2.4GHz 802.11n, the radio bandwidth is approximately 20 MHz. However, the channels are all only 5 MHz apart, so that adjacent channels interfere with each other. There should always be 5 channels "space" ( 25 MHz ) to avoid interferences.
Example: 1. AP on channel 1, further AP on channel 6 etc.
By using 40MHz wide channels, which allow routers, almost the entire WLAN spectrum is already occupied. Another WLAN would immediately interfere. So this option should NEVER be used ( not even on automatic ).
A high level display on the handset indicates a good reception strength ( purely technical ) - but does not guarantee a transmission possibility for a long time. The actual amount of data transferred depends on several parameters.
Interference from other WLANs
As a 5GHz 802.11ac solution if there are too many adjacent WLANs or interference and range is not the problem. 5GHz WLan can be very helpful in case of doubt, but shortens the range due to the frequency. Nevertheless, it may be useful to use it.
At 2.4GHz ( 802.11n ) there are many devices that transmit on the same or a neighbouring frequency or cause interference.
These are microwaves, wireless light switches, wireless sensors of any kind, headphones, heating controls, music controls and much more. In addition, any neighboring WLAN in the environment interferes.
At 5 Ghz there are enough free channels in 80MHz bandwidth and hardly any other interfering devices.
Besides:
- A weak 5GHz WLAN in the limit range can run much better than a 2.4 Ghz network with "full deflection".
- In the case of neighbouring APs in the vicinity, if there is an overlap with the owner, talk about whether it is possible to agree on a coordinated channel use.
Back to the parent page: WLAN requirements