Lack of Wifi at the Elkhart Service Center

bg1811 · 08-25-2007, 04:10 AM

I just had some work done at Plant 9 in Elkhart, IN. As usual, the experience was good. I've had four Monaco units and have been to the factory 3-4 times. The one negative at the factory is the lack of high speed internet. Of course, all of us, on this board have computers. I'm always amazed that the only internet service at Elkhart is dial-up. I don't have a dial-up account so it is worthless to me. It would not be much expense to add a wireless network that would cover the waiting area and the coach parking area in the rear. One antenna in the rear should cover it. Anyway, I'm mailing a letter to Kay Toolson today making this suggestion. Maybe some more requests would help.

bg1811 · 08-25-2007, 04:10 AM

I just had some work done at Plant 9 in Elkhart, IN. As usual, the experience was good. I've had four Monaco units and have been to the factory 3-4 times. The one negative at the factory is the lack of high speed internet. Of course, all of us, on this board have computers. I'm always amazed that the only internet service at Elkhart is dial-up. I don't have a dial-up account so it is worthless to me. It would not be much expense to add a wireless network that would cover the waiting area and the coach parking area in the rear. One antenna in the rear should cover it. Anyway, I'm mailing a letter to Kay Toolson today making this suggestion. Maybe some more requests would help.

MonacoMama · 08-25-2007, 04:45 AM

Actually..they should install it at all their service centers....
(but then...maybe we should take a count of how many other branda have it at their centers...If Monaco is the only one...we could voice that to Mr Toolson

**Route 66** · 08-25-2007, 04:57 AM

Newmar has 1 dialup phone jack in the customer lounge, but nothing in the highline customer lounge.

Spartan has WiFi in their customer lounge.

The cost of a cable modem, and service, or a phone company DSL or fiber line is not prohibitive.

Just having WiFi in the customer lounge would be quite satisfactory, and it doesn't need to reach the campsites as that does get expensive.

MonacoMama · 08-25-2007, 05:03 AM

Thanks for that info, Route 66 ....
May have to make a poll up on the general board...hmmmm

**Route 66** · 08-25-2007, 05:17 AM

I have created a shortcut in the Technology section.

Let's see what others say.

rebelsbeach · 08-25-2007, 05:31 AM

While I know it's something we all use, I personally don't see wifi as a must have in manufacturer service centers...

With all the other hotspots available in communities, I'm happy to allow my manufacturer to concentrate on what they do best....My coach.

If you're full time you'll likely have an aircard or some other mode of internet access.

In Nappanee most folks go to the library in town and there's even wireless access at the McDonalds available....

Pusherpilot · 08-25-2007, 10:09 AM

Any facility where they have a network that is internet enabled can add a wireless router and allow users to sign on with issued passwords. The net is protected no acces to the net is necessary.
Ron

GaryKD · 08-25-2007, 01:44 PM

Dirk,
What are you doing in the high line customer service lounge?

Did Bob lend you one of his LADB jackets?

**Route 66** · 08-25-2007, 01:48 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">What are you doing in the high line customer service lounge? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

If you hang with the high line owners, they'll let you in.

itdave · 08-26-2007, 05:26 AM

There is a major security issue for most companies to add a wireless router to their network. There are way to do it so the wireless is blocked from the company network but that can be expensive and there are still security risks. For these guys to add wireless for customers they really need to have a seperate conneting to the internet. Most internet providers don't like you sharing a home connetion with large number of people. So Monaco or other manufactures would need to get a business internet connection to let customers share. This is much more costly than the home type connection.

BIGRED1 · 08-29-2007, 01:02 AM

I use a T-mobile wireless GPRS/EDGE network card and service for just such situations. Even with it I can't always connect to the web; for example on St. George Island, FL. If I want to get on the internet, I have to drive down to the local Subway sandwich shop and use their hot spot, but they expect you to make a purchase.