What is iPlus?
In order to provide Outdoor Broadband Services for everyone, Cityspace provides networks of interactive touch screen terminals known as iPlus Points, which deliver a 'walled garden' of internet-based services on-street. They are free and easy to use.
The content on iPlus Points can be tailored to suit each client, and ranges from local council, transport and community information to free email and job finding services. Users benefit from the opportunity to access what they need, where and when they need it.
The new iPlus Multipoint combines all the functionality of an iPlus Point with valuable digital services:
- LCD Broadcast Screen presenting an innovative and engaging medium to broadcast local information and services.
- iCash Point providing a convenience LINK ATM as well as service to areas with a low penetration of cash machines.
Furthermore iPlus Multipoints can now be deployed on a fully funded basis depending on the suitability of locations, helping local authorities to offer broadband-delivered services to their community without the need to draw upon council funds.
The design of iPlus structures ensures that they are an attractive part of the Cityscape, as well as being weather-proof and resistant to vandalism.
What iPlus Networks can do for Cities
By installing a free to use on-street iPlus Network that is available 24/7, cities are investing in the 'shop window' of Outdoor Broadband. Such as a network of terminals ensures that broadband access is available to everyone.
The iPlus Multipoint broadcast screen provides an effective communication tool for councils as they can be used to promote local services to citizens, such as Real-Time Passenger Information (RTPI) for local transport.
In addition, the physical presence an iPlus Network on-street acts as a signage and marketing tool for councils and the Town or City.
The 'walled garden' of content supplied on iPlus Networks ensures the most appropriate services to suit the needs of citizens are available, e.g. council, government, transport and local news services.
Because no IT skills are required to use iPlus, the information provided is accessible to all.
The on-street terminals can also act as the backbone for a town or city's broadband infrastructure, as they can be used as wireless (Wi-Fi) distribution points for Cityspace's StreetNet service.
Content Services
Many towns and cities have already benefited from the following iPlus services:
e-Government Services
Who's My Councillor?
Ensuring that the public is familiar with, and has a means of contacting, its elected representatives.
Council feedback
Giving people the chance to report problems or concerns to relevant council departments - everything from health hazards to noisy neighbours.
Send me a form
Enabling those on the move or without access to a PC to order council forms. Council Jobs - Making it possible for councils to recruit from their local public cost-effectively
A - Z of Council Services
Providing a simple index of council services and how to access them. iPoll - Using a simple YES or NO voting mechanism, councils can take a simple straw poll of public opinion on any relevant local issue.
Transport Services
Real-time passenger information
Bus and train arrival news.
Journey planning
Multi-modal planning to promote sustainable transport.
Quicklook timetables
Reducing the need for costly and confusing paper timetables.
Ticketing
Including roadside bus ticketing and smart card re-charging.
For the full range of travel and transport services, please visit Services for Transport.
Complementary services
Community-based applications on iPlus
Can help to build social cohesion and inclusion, and clearly demonstrate a Town or City's commitment to Outdoor Broadband for everyone.
Freemail
Sends free email anywhere in the world. Users can also send e-Postcards of the local area, or video mail of themselves.
Job search
Worktrain as well as jobsgopublic for public sector employment opportunities, provides job searches based on a progressively widening radius from the iPlus Point.
News
Local, national and international news from the BBC.
iPlus Mapping
Defaults to the location of the iPlus Point to offer a 'You are here' service as well as allow the user to search by postcode, street and town, zoom in and out and pan North, East, South and West. The map can also be printed out.
Crimestoppers
Because using an iPlus Point is an anonymous process, it has proved to be a useful tool for allowing the public to provide information about suspected criminal activity to their local police force.
Advice
Those in need can find confidential advice quickly, anonymously and free-of-charge through an iPlus Point. The advice menu will usually have links to Missing Persons, Homelessness, Domestic Violence and Childline services.
For more images of iPlus services see What's on iPlus
Hardware
The iPlus Point 100/200
The new iPlus Points 100/200 are fully customisable, modular and multi-functional touch-screen terminals providing interactive access to digital information services for outdoor public spaces. These terminals are ideal for providing out-of-home users with rapid and efficient access to internet-based information and services.
Internal and external parts are roconfigurable so that as requirements change, new options can be installed at a later date.
Up-to-date features include:
- High spec on-board computer
- High-speed internet connectivity to ensure ease and speed of use for the customer
- Strong data security features to prevent abuse of the service
- Ruggedised urban design to resist both vandalism and inclement weather
- Reliable printing to provide maps, ticketing etc. to ensure a complete service for the user
- Help Point and CCTV to help users feel safe and connected to the Authority (optional)
- Wireless connectivity (optional)
- Transaction processing via smart card to make the service complete and satisfying (optional)
- Single or dual broadcast screen (optional)
- Illuminated branded panel (optional)
For the public all of this means easy access to high quality information and services through a safe and attractive on-street terminal.
The iPlus Point classic
A classic iPlus Point design for Outdoor and Indoor use ideal for extending existing networks. Both providing inveractive and quick access to internet-based information services via an interactive touch screen, they are build to last incorporating vandal-proof features. The indoor iPlus Points classic work in exactly the same way as the outdoor iPlus Points classic but without the weather-resistant structure. The indoor terminal can be freestanding or wall-mounted.
The iPlus Multipoint
Available as two separate units an individual iPlus Point and an iCash Point or as one combined unit.
The iPlus Multipoint 's eye-catching design incorporates tough vandal-proof features, yet it's built for the everyday user in mind.
All Cityspace hardware options are robust, and built with the safety of the public in mind.
Find out more about:
iPlus
Point for Outdoor Use- iPlus
Point for Indoor Use
- iPlus
Multipoint
- Additional designs are available specifically for Transport authorities.
A complete solution
Cityspace clients benefit from a comprehensive scheduled maintenance programme:
Physical Maintenance
iPlus Points are continuously checked, cleaned weekly and periodically re-furbished to maintain an efficient, well-maintained network.
Technical Maintenance
The iPlus Network architecture is built around industry standard technologies to provide a stable and reliable platform for information delivery. Networks are managed and monitored remotely by Cityspace
Find out more about:
Support for Cities
The Cityspace Fully Managed Solution ensures that an iPlus Network retains its use and function for many years, serving the needs of the public with a constantly evolving range of information channels.
The benefits of such a solution include:
- The whole service is provide by Cityspace, a single supplier, making it easier for local authorities to manage.
- Because an iPlus Network works consistently and remains pleasant to use, it becomes a trusted part of the Town or City community.
- An iPlus Network is fully future-proof, as it is upgradeable as and when new technologies and services become available.
- A fully managed network remains a prestigious part of the Cityscape throughout its deployment
Content Development
Just as the needs of towns and Cities will change over time, so too will information needs. Network content is kept under constant review to help maintain relevance for both the Town or City and the end user, and to keep it up-to-date with advances in information technology.
Cityspace maintains a close relationship with its partners to ensure content is of a high standard throughout the life of the network.
Usage Data
A tailored report is compiled for each network on a monthly basis, providing data such as:
- Total number of users
- Average users per day
- Users per channel
- Total e-Government usage
- Average and total user time
- Cityspace News quarterly
Back to Services for Local Authorities
