Tech Hurdles: Internet solution for the mobile church.

The Sanctuary meets in a Minneapolis Public School.

We’ve long had the desire to move our kids’ check-in system to the web-based system that comes with Fellowship One (Our church management software). Internet access has always been a hurdle. The school isn’t able to allow us to use their network. They also aren’t able to let us install our own line. So, we’ve had to come up with a new solution.

That’s where the Novatel 2200 comes into play. We’re going to be using this handy little device on the Verizon network to give us internet access for our 3 check-in stations. Certainly it’s not optimal. But in my early tests, We’ve been able to simultaneously use two check-in stations and watch a video on YouTube with almost no hindrance. And that’s in our office which tends to be an network dead zone (just two bars coming through).

The simplicity of this device is also a winner. Just 1 button. Let me say that again, just 1 button. You turn it on, it shows up as a wi-fi network in your regular drop-downs, pop in the password and you’re off. No real set-up, just push the button. Brilliant.

I’m very excited to give this a spin as we begin real-world testing in early December preparing for launch in the beginning of January.

UPDATE 11/08/09: Fantastic first time use running our Counts Team machines as they processed checks and gifts from our congregation today. Fast. Simple. Plenty of connection to go around.