What else is needed for this business?
 

My friend and I are going to start up an internet/gaming cafe in the local area. It's a worthwhile idea since one hasn't been started here and there is an extensive youth based crowd. Designed mostly for PC gaming (with consoles to come later) and internet browsing.

Currently Decided On:
-8-10 gaming PC's with 24" monitors
-5 internet only PC's with 17" monitors
-2 Business only laptops to use wifi
-Probably a credit card reader. Not sure if it'll use phone lines or ethernet.
-1 wireless router
-Other assorted security and software based things

We'll be using Verizon FIOS (if it's available in our area) for our internet and either Vonage (doubt it...my friend is being a pain in the ass about it) or Time Warner Digital Phone.

I need help picking:

-A network switch/router (?) to allow internet connectivity
-A firewall
-An internet filter (currently looking at sonicwall products)
-A server (?)

I'll probably come up with other things to ask about, hardware and software wise.

Re: What else is needed for this business?
 

Have you thought about how gaming is going to work? Most games require login information nowadays, so you'd need to figure out a way for it to wipe that information from the computer each time it's used.

Anyways, I'm not sure Verizon FIOS is going to be enough for this sort of task, assuming you're not going to limit bandwidth for downloads any. What other available options do you have?

Seems to me this could possibly take a couple of months to get on track, but would be worthwhile indeed.

Re: What else is needed for this business?
 

you'll need a dedicated line if you want to have multiple PC's and a server.
Might want to contact about a business line.

You're also going to need a cash register, building to rent (cant do it at someones house), various certificates and things of the sort to run a business. And quite a few other things. Opening a business isn't exactly all straight forward

Re: What else is needed for this business?
 

I'd say you'd want more than just 5 internet-only PCs, as they're pretty cheap compared to gaming PCs. A business license for a reliable security suite would be a must. As for wiping login info, etc. using a master copy of the OS and program files, etc. that is wiped and reloaded every time someone logs in (just have an unpassworded guest account. All you need it for is being able to log out and in to refresh the system). I'm not sure the technical term, but my school has this and it seems to work. You'd want to avoid installing any games that people would have issues with multi-accounting, account sharing, etc. Getting people banned from their favorite game isn't good for business. I'd say you want a business line for sure, laggy gaming is also not good for business. Cooling/air condition would be a significant consideration with so many gaming computers around. Not so much concerned about the computers as about the customers.

Having some way to hold people accountable when dealing with expensive computers would be a good idea as well.