Automated Print Job Cost Deduction from User Accounts

CafeCentra can be configured to automatically deduct print jobs from a Cyber or Internet Cafe users account which reflects as a reduction in minutes or available browsing time. Because CafeCentra uses the concept of units and not browsing time for user accounts creation, the cost of page of print job is configured based on units, which makes it extremely flexible and not susceptible to the problem of fixed time deduction which becomes a loss during bonanzas or non-uniform browsing time sales.

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Configurable and Dynamic Web Sites Restriction

A few other Cyber Café Billing software claiming web site restriction only work on Windows 2000 and XP and you would have to explicitly input all imaginable sites into the restriction list. With CafeCentra, the web site restriction works equally well on Windows 95,98, ME, 2000 and XP. To aid performance, you do not have to enter a vast array of sites to limit for example pornographic sites. A few key site parameters may only be entered for those who do not wish to include an exhaustive list that slows down performance. Even when users resort to using search engines to lookup restricted sites and try to navigate to view a cache of such site, CafeCentra totally restricts and foils such tactics, making its web restriction easily the most powerful available in any Cyber Café Billing and Management software on the market.

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Integrated Bandwidth Monitoring

CafeCentra stands in its own class as a veritable Cyber Café Billing and Management software and not just an ordinary "Cyber Café Timer" or "Cyber Café Biller". With CafeCentra, Cyber Café operators can monitor bandwidth traffic or usage on their network easily using both graphical and numeric data provided by the integrated bandwidth monitoring tool in CafeCentra Server and can restrict users to a threshold or have the administrator warned of usage excesses. Bandwidth is monitored in real-time, thus allowing real-time actions. The Bandwidth Monitoring tool distinguishes between TCP and UDP Traffic and provides information on each separately, thus allowing the network administrator to know the volume of traffic from each protocol. In addition, information on uploads and downloads are separately available to provide a finer grain of bandwidth traffic data for the network.

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Unauthorized Programs and Installations Restriction

CafeCentra client takes security to a higher level to unarguably become the most secure Cyber Cafe billing software available in the market. In addition to the security against user hacking, the integrated feature of Programs Execution Restriction allows Cyber Café operators to specify authorized programs that can be run on workstations or explicitly specify ones that they want banned from running. Programs to be allowed or denied access are listed by their executable names. CafeCentra is able to recognize the names and signature of the software programs allowed to run, thus foiling attempts to run banned programs carried out through a simple change of the executable name. General software such as Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, Microsoft Office Programs, Yahoo Messenger and MSN Messenger are automatically allowed access by the CafeCentra Programs Execution Restriction.

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Automatic Cyber Cafe Income Reports Mailing

Imagine being away from your cafe and still being able to know what is going on in your cafe. CafeCentra mails your report into your email account based on the interval you configure which can be daily, weekly or monthly. It can mail your income report, cafe administrator time allocation report and your printer jobs report in to your email. Click here to see how it works.

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Very Accurate and Comprehensive Cyber Cafe Reports 

CafeCentra allows you to know exactly how much is being made in your cafe. Batches up report into groups and shows the amount that has been made for each group for the period of time specified by you. CafeCentra offers more than 8 types of reports which are explained in the link provided for this feature. There is no other timer that gives a report as accurate as this. Cafe reports cannot be deleted and deletion of user accounts does not affect cafe report. Click here to see how it works.

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Automatic Workstations Hard Disk Cleaning and Maintenance

You can configure CafeCentra to schedule the cleaning of junk files downloaded by users from your client computer hard disks at regular intervals. You can specify a threshold or minimum free space for every client computer hard disk in your cafe, which if the available free spaces falls below, CafeCentra would automatically run a disk clean. The fully configurable disk cleaning and maintenance plug-in allows Cafe Administrators to specify cache folders where they know users generally download or store junk file for cleaning in addition to pre-defined locations such as Windows Temp and Temporary Internet Files folders.

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Restrict or Disallow Junk User Downloads and Web Installations

In addition to the security against user hacking, CafeCentra client now comes with a security plug-in that allows Cyber Cafe administrators to restrict or disallow junk downloads and the installation of programs such as Comet Cursor, Hot Sex Bars and the likes that clog hard disk space and hog bandwidth to download unsavory material on client computers. You can also selectively enable downloads for specific clients or workstations temporarily remotely from CafeCentra Server.

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Restrict Desktop Wallpaper, Internet Explorer Homepage and Other Changes

CafeCentra can now be configured to prevent not only users but also any downloaded program from arbitrarily changing client computer desktop wallpapers, Internet Explorer Homepage and other settings. Thus you can now rely on CafeCentra to keep your Internet Explorer home pages, search pages, etc and Desktop Wallpapers exactly as you want them every day!

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Very Flexible Multi-Point Access CafeCentra Server Extension

CafeCentra Server now comes with a configurable Server Extension that allows administrators or Cyber Cafe owners to be able to View Income Reports, Create User Accounts, Unlock User Accounts, Change Password and Edit Server Policies remotely from any point on a Local Area Network (LAN) or Wide Area Network (WAN) where CafeCentra Server is running. This gives unprecedented flexibility since a lot could be done without actually being physically present on the computer where CafeCentra Server is installed.

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Zero Hardware Cost and Flexible Virtual Point-Of-Sale Extension

CafeCentra now includes a Virtual Point-of-Sales client installation that is very flexible and ideal for Cafe attendants to log details of each sales of tickets which may be required by default to be unlocked before they could be used. This thus allows for exact tracking of tickets right from the point of sale to the point of use. Cafe attendants can also keep track of their individual sales for each operational day.

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Restrict or Limit Daily Single and Total Administrator Time Allocation

Now you can conveniently set a limit on the maximum time that an administrator can allocate per day apart from the limit on the maximum time that can be allocated by an administrator at once or in a single sitting!

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100% Hacker-Proof  Client Security

CafeCentra implements the most powerful security mechanism on any client timer, such that it is almost impossible for hackers to break it. CafeCentra has been tested with most of the hacking tools around and has been able to withstand all of them. If however, a user is finally able to terminate the program, CafeCentra client is automatically restarted. On a second hacking attempt, CafeCentra invalidates the user's ticket such that the user has to buy another ticket. A security report is logged on the server against the user account such that on checking the account history or the events log, administrators would know what the user tried to do. On a third hacking attempt, CafeCentra closes all application running and shuts the system down, frustrating even the most hardened Cyber Café timer hacker.

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Limit the Number of Windows That Can Be Opened On Client Computers

With CafeCentra you can limit the number of windows that can be opened on client computers. When a user opens windows that are more than the number specified by you, CafeCentra automatically reduces them to the number you specified and warns the user that he/she cannot open windows more that the number specified by you.

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Configurable and Interactive Internet Access Gateway/DNS Monitoring

You can configure CafeCentra to monitor your internet access gateway or your DNS or even any website and automatically notify client users on slow connection. Response time out and monitoring interval can also be configured by you. Click here for details on how this feature works.

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Automated CafeCentra Server Database Backup and Maintenance

A configurable automated server database backup component now comes with Earlyon CafeCentra, allowing for hourly or daily backing up of the CafeCentra Server database to a specified location on a local or network drive as a precaution against virus attacks and server crashing that could result in data loss. Also CafeCentra Server now has an in-built mechanism for automatically compressing the server database to avoid bloating and slow performance.

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Auto-Refill, Restricted and Time Bound User Accounts

You can create Auto-Refill User Accounts that are automatically refilled with their original value daily, weekly or monthly. Also you can create Restricted User Accounts that only work within a specified time frame and even specified days in a week, which is ideal for bonanzas. You can also create Time Bound User Accounts that are valid for use within a specified time frame and are expired after the time frame is exceeded irregardless of the amount value left in the account.

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Configurable User Accounts Creation Schemes

Now you can specify pre-defined parameters for all the different categories of User Accounts created in your Cyber Cafe and store them as Schemes. When you want to create new tickets, simply select the appropriate scheme and specify the quantity to create and all the other details would be automatically taken cared of.

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Superior Print Job Monitoring and Management

CafeCentra allows you to monitor all jobs printed in your cafe, even from computers not running CafeCentra clients and automatically logs jobs printed. You can specify that CafeCentra should notify users whenever they print any job so that an administrator can authorize the job. Users can also cancel print job if not intentional sent or queue job so that an administrator can later print for them. CafeCentra also logs the administrator that prints any job. This feature works on Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows NT, Windows 2000 and Windows XP. Click here for sample Print Monitoring Screenshots.

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Automatic Locking of CafeCentra Server System Date and Time

With CafeCentra, it is possible for you to lock your server's system date & time such that once you set your system date and time, it is impossible for dubious administrators to change your system date or time. This is very useful for Cyber Cafes that operate night browsing.

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Powerful and Comprehensive Events Log

CafeCentra events log is one of the most powerful tools you can ever get in any timer. The events log makes it possible to know exactly what has happened in your cafe ranging from accounts creation to administrator logon both on the client and server, jobs printed, accounts deleted etc. Events log records all activities in your cafe and it cannot be deleted by anybody except itself. It will automatically purge events that are older than a month. Click here to see a sample screenshot.

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Monitor or Prevent Printing from Computers Not Running CafeCentra Client

CafeCentra has made it possible for you to monitor or prevent jobs printed from computers not running CafeCentra client. This can be useful for cafes that allow people to browse with laptops in their cafes. You can now monitor or prevent jobs form such computers. In case you allow jobs to be printed from such computers, CafeCentra logs the number jobs printed, the computer name and the administrator that authorized it otherwise it will prevent the job from being printed.

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Close Opened Windows on Client Computers after Users Logout

With CafeCentra, right from the server, you can specify a time after which CafeCentra should automatically close client's opened windows when users logout. This time can be up to 1hour.

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Multiple Client User Account Types

CafeCentra offers different types of client user accounts. These account types are Pre-paid Regular account which is the normal account type that users buy to be able to log into CafeCentra client. There is also Pre-Paid Use Once account. This type of account can only be used once. Once a user logs in, he/she cannot log out again until he finishes the time. This might be useful for cafes that offer bonanza. Accounts can expire after activation or after creation. You can create as many administrators as you wish with different rights.

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Prevent File Downloads In Internet Explorer

CafeCentra give you the opportunity to disable file downloads in Internet Explorer such  that it is impossible for users to download and install nuisance software from the Internet; this helps you to have clean and virus free computers running in your Cyber Cafe.

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Multi-Rate Billing Configuration

It is possible to configure CafeCentra to bill with different rates at different times. It can be configured such that a ticket can be worth 20 minutes at a particular period of time and that same ticket will be worth 30minutes at another time.

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One-Click User Assistance

CafeCentra make browsing easy for users with the unique features it offers. Users can now close all opened windows with just a mouse click. Not only that, users can now access there popular mail sites like yahoo and hotmail with just the click of a mouse. This makes it easy for users to browse without wasting time to close windows opened by the previous user of the workstation.

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Remote Windows Management

Right from CafeCentra server, you can know all the windows opened on any workstation running CafeCentra client in your cafe and close any of those windows without standing up from your server.

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Automated Bulk User Account Creation

CafeCentra  makes it easy to create bulk accounts and with CafeCentra using both username and password, you can be certain that each account is unique. It also provides space to specify selling price for each group created to make income reports very easy to use.

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Multiple Client and Server Administrator Accounts

With CafeCentra, it is possible to create multiple administrator accounts with different levels of rights which can be used both on the client and server. You can set different maximum time that can be allocated for different administrators. Time allocated by each administrator is logged for reporting purposes.

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Multiple User Accounts Ticket Formats

There are three types of user accounts ticket formats in CafeCentra namely Compact, Normal and Informational. A single A4 paper can contain 36, 26 and 20 tickets of the Compact, Normal and Informational formats respectively.

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Multi-Computer Billing Rates

With CafeCentra, it is possible to bill different workstations at different rates such that a ticket worth 20mins on a computer might be worth 30mins on another.

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Automatic Setting of Client Internet Explorer Home Page

CafeCentra make it possible for you to set all your workstations' home page right from the server and have the client automatically set the home page at every startup and even during usage.

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Prevent CafeCentra Client Uninstall

You can prevent clients from uninstalling CafeCentra client from your workstation even when CafeCentra client is not running. CafeCentra can only be uninstalled with an administrator password that has the right to edit client policies.

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Client User Accounts History

With CafeCentra you can check the history of any user account. The need might arise when a user brings a ticket and says it is no longer valid. All you just need to do is to collect the ticket and type in the username in the history section. CafeCentra automatically gives you all the information needed on the user accounts such as the systems on which the ticket was used, the logout and login times, the remaining value and the starting, expiry date etc.

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Easy and Flexible Remote Actions

Right from CafeCentra server, it possible for you to perform remote actions on all workstations running CafeCentra client. These actions include remote shutdown of workstations, remote reboot, remote viewing of client printer jobs, remote viewing of opened windows ,remote logout, remote pause etc. CafeCentra makes performing these actions very easy in that it allows you select any number of workstations as you like and perform any action on them.

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Dynamic User Accounts Combination

With CafeCentra, users can combine accounts without having to log out. A situation might arise where a user is browsing and his account is about to finish, the user can just buy another ticket and combine with the existing one without having to log out.

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Standalone Time Allocation

With CafeCentra, it is possible to allocate time if for one reason or the other, CafeCentra server is down and any time workstations are able to connect to CafeCentra server, all time allocated are updated on the server such that you can still know the number of minutes allocated. With CafeCentra, it is possible to set      the maximum time that can be allocated using standalone and you can also disable standalone if CafeCentra server is running.

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Multiple System and Operational Policies

CafeCentra offers you more than 35 system and operational policies to help you manage and maintain your cafe. These policies reduce the stress your administrators have to go through to keep users from messing up your workstations. Click here for a list of policies implemented.

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Support for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol [DHCP] Networks

CafeCentra clients can be configured to support DHCP networks such that the clients automatically search for and locate CafeCentra server on the network without any user intervention once the server is up and running on any machine on the Local Area Network.

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Send or Broadcast Messages To Client Workstations

CafeCentra makes it easy for you to send messages to client workstation right from the server. You can select any number of workstations and send messages to them.

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Automatic Deletion of Expired and Zero-Value User Accounts

CafeCentra automatically deletes expired and zero value user accounts such that you do not need to give administrator rights to delete accounts. Deletion of user accounts does not affect your income report like it affects some billing software.

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Intelligent CafeCentra Server IP Address Binder

You can configure CafeCentra Server to bind to a particular Server IP Address on a computer with multiple network cards or adapters. This allows only computers on the specified network range to be able to access and connect to CafeCentra Server.

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Unique Licensing Model

CafeCentra licensing model is very unique. Once you purchase the license, you can continue to use the license on your system even when you format the system.

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