Ms. Chen, the manager of a scenic area in Singapore, was extremely troubled last year during the peak season regarding the rental of audio guides - when there were a large number of tourists, renting by the time (which allows one to visit the entire scenic area in one go) was too wasteful. Some tourists would only visit the core attractions for 2 hours but had to pay for the full day's rental, jokingly saying it was "not worth it". During the off-season when there were fewer tourists, renting by the hour was a loss, as the equipment was left idle while still having to pay for the management fee. What was even more infuriating was that the previous rental partner was very inflexible and only offered "either by the time or by the hour", completely unable to adapt to the changing tourist flow. In fact, not only Ms. Chen, but many overseas users who rent audio guides also struggled with the choice of "by the time or by the hour", fearing that they might make a wrong decision and waste money unnecessarily.
    As the core business of Hefei Huima Information Technology Co., Ltd. for 15 years, Yingmi Audio Guide Rental has never adopted a "one-size-fits-all" approach. For different scenarios such as overseas scenic spots, enterprises, museums, and educational tours, it has specially developed three methods: "by the time, by the hour, and customized packages", so that users do not have to accommodate the rules; instead, the rules adapt to the needs. This has enabled Yingmi to maintain long-term cooperation with clients such as Xiamen Gulangyu, Huawei, and the British Museum, and has been recognized by over 4,000 overseas users worldwide. Yingmi's confidence lies in "whatever is the most cost-effective, let it be so" - it is not a "fixed-cost tool", but more like a flexible helper that helps overseas guides "save costs and save energy".

I. Overseas Rental Model, First Look at the Scenario: By the Hour or By the Session?

Many overseas users are confused about "by the hour or by the session", which actually means they haven't found the right applicable scenario. Yingmi has provided the optimal choices for 4 common scenarios after 15 years of overseas service. Each choice is made based on real needs:

1. Free Tour in Scenic Areas: Rent by the Hour, Calculate for the Duration You Spend

Tourists on free tours in overseas scenic spots have a wide range of time differences - some spend 2 hours visiting the Lion of the Wave Park and leave, while others need to spend 5 hours to visit the surrounding areas. Renting by the session (fixed at 4-6 hours per time) is either wasteful or insufficient. Yingmi's renting by the hour is just right:
Calculating Rules are Simple: Renting starts at 1 hour, for each extra hour, it's calculated as 30 minutes. There's no need to make up for full hours. For example, renting for 2 and a half hours, only 2 and a half hours' worth of rent is charged. Sister Chen's scenic spot changed to this model, "Tourists said, 'Finally, there's no need to pay for the time not spent,' the complaint rate dropped by 60%, and even repeat customers increased";
Operation is Very Convenient: Tourists scan the code on the Z50 self-service rental counter, select "by the hour", input the estimated duration, and pay with Visa or Apple Pay to get the equipment, no need for advance reservation. Overseas tourist Lily said, "It's simpler than renting a shared charging station. The first time I used it, I knew how to do it without asking the staff";
Seasonal Discounts Can Be Offered: The scenic spot can use Yingmi's backend to set "hourly rental discounts" during peak times (such as from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.). For example, renting for 3 hours gives a 1-hour discount. Tourists are willing to stay longer, "On the peak season of Gulangyu Island, this model saw a 50% increase in hourly rental orders, and revenue also increased significantly";
It's also convenient for bulk rentals: If an enterprise rents by the session 10 times or more at a time, they can enjoy an 80% discount and get free multilingual explanations. Last year, Volkswagen rented by the session 20 times, "They saved over 10,000 yuan, and their revenue also increased significantly";
Adding Rentals in a Hurry Doesn't Affect the Process: If there's a sudden need to add a group, inform Yingmi 2 hours in advance, and they can add the rental temporarily. "Once, they added a group from the Middle East. Yingmi retrieved the equipment from the nearby warehouse and delivered it in 1 hour, without affecting the reception process";

2. Temporary Reception by Enterprises: Rent by the Session, One Session Corresponds to One Team

Most enterprise receptions are temporary - for example, Huawei needs to receive a German supplier group for 1 hour of visit; Volkswagen needs to receive 2 Japanese client groups, each for 2 hours. Renting by the session is the most convenient in this case. Yingmi's "by the session" is not fixed in duration but follows the team's needs:
How to Calculate by the Session: For example, "one session = 1 team visiting for 2 hours" "one session = 1 team viewing 3 workshops", the duration and process are all determined by the enterprise. Sister Li from Huawei said, "For the German supplier group reception, renting by the session once was just enough to cover the 1.5-hour workshop visit, without having to count the hours";
Bulk Rentals Can Save: If an enterprise rents by the session 10 times or more at a time, they can enjoy an 80% discount and get free multilingual explanations. Volkswagen last year rented by the session 20 times, "They saved over 10,000 yuan, and their revenue also increased significantly";
Adding Rentals in a Hurry Doesn't Affect the Process: If there's a sudden need to add a group, inform Yingmi 2 hours in advance, and they can add the rental temporarily. "Once, they added a group from the Middle East. Yingmi retrieved the equipment from the nearby warehouse and delivered it in 1 hour, without affecting the reception process";

3. Special Exhibitions in Museums: Combine By the Hour and By the Session, Want to Spend as Much Time as You Like

For tourists visiting special exhibitions in museums, some visit for 1 hour and leave, while others spend 3 hours to appreciate. A single model is not enough. Yingmi's "by the session + by the hour continuation" is particularly suitable:
Basic by the Session: "One session = 1 special exhibition entry", including 1 hour of basic explanation, core exhibits can be covered;
Continuation by the Hour for Extra Time: If you want to stay longer, the extra time is calculated by the hour, and the cost is 30% of the session's cost. No need to rent again. During the "Chinese Song Dynasty Ceramics Special Exhibition" at the British Museum, "60% of the tourists rented once + continued for 1 hour, they could both view the core exhibits and enjoy the favorite artifacts, and the satisfaction rate was 30% higher than before";
Group rentals are more cost-effective: For study tours and VIP groups, they are rented on a per-session basis. One session corresponds to the entire group's exhibition duration (e.g., 3 hours), which is 25% cheaper than renting by the hour. "For a Swedish study tour, renting on a per-session basis for 1 time, including 3 hours of exhibition and Swedish language interpretation, costs 200 euros less than renting by the hour."

4. Long-distance study tours: Per-session packages, handling multi-day trips in one go

Most overseas study tours are 3-7 days long. Visiting different places every day, renting separately by the hour or by the session is too troublesome. Yingmi's "per-session packages" are just right for this:
How to arrange the package: For example, "5-session package = 5-day itinerary, using 1 session per day (no time limit, covering all attractions of the day)" "10-session package = 7-day itinerary, using 1-2 sessions per day", the number of sessions in the package can be flexibly divided. The Icelandic study tour rented a "7-session package", "visiting 1 attraction per day, using 1 session, and the tour guide doesn't need to keep track of hours" ;
It can be used in various scenarios: The "sessions" in the package can be used in different places, for example, using it by the session on the first day at the glacier, and using it by the session at the museum on the second day, without changing modes. "The Dubai study tour went to the desert by the session in the morning and to the museum by the session in the afternoon, with one package handling everything, no need to rent separately";
High value for money： The package is 30%-50% cheaper than renting by the session alone， and it also includes equipment cleaning and multilingual updates. "The Nordic study tour rented a 10-session package， saving nearly 3，000 euros， and Yingmi also updated the Swedish language interpretation for free， which is particularly worth it."

II. The practical benefits of Yingmi's leasing model: No empty promises, only addressing real problems

The Yingmi leasing model makes overseas users feel convenient. Not only do they have more choices, but each option can solve real problems, turning leasing from a "troublesome matter" into a "convenient task":

1. Clear financial calculation, no hidden charges

Overseas users are most afraid of hidden charges - such as overtime fees, cleaning fees, accessory fees. Yingmi puts all the money on the table:
Hourly rental: Only charge for equipment usage (such as 5 euros per hour), no deposit required, no cleaning fees. The overtime fee will be displayed on the rental cabinet screen in real time, clear as can be;
Per-use rental: The cost includes basic accessories such as equipment, multilingual explanations, and earphone straps. There are no additional charges;
Package rental: The total amount, the number of uses, and the duration are clearly stated at once. If not used by the end of the period, it can be extended (up to 30 days). There is no worry of waste.
Ms. Chen said: "Before renting from other brands, there was an additional 'explanation recording fee' after the usage period. Yingmi includes it all in the price, no need to pay an extra penny. The financial reconciliation is also more convenient."

2. Self-service operation, 24/7 rental and return

Overseas users often encounter problems such as "the rental point closes and it's not possible to rent" or "it takes time to return the equipment and wait for staff". The Yingmi Z50 self-service rental cabinet solves these problems:
Open 24/7: Rental cabinets in scenic spots, airports, and exhibition halls can be rented and returned 24/7. Tourists on early morning shifts, teams visiting night exhibitions - they can use it whenever they want;
10 seconds for operation: Scan the code → Select mode (per-use/hour/package) → Pay → Take the equipment. No need to fill in information or bind a mobile phone number. Lily, an overseas tourist, said: "I learned it the first time and it's as simple as buying water at a convenience store";
Multi-cabinet linkage, no need to go back and forth: For example, renting at the entrance of a scenic spot and returning at the exit, renting on the 1st floor of a museum and returning on the 3rd floor - no need to detour, the experience is very smooth.

3. No matter in which country, you can use it with peace of mind

Overseas users are worried about "it won't work in other countries" or "the voltage is not compatible for charging". Yingmi has considered this aspect:
Comprehensive certification, voltage compatibility: The equipment has passed the EU CE and RoHS certifications and is compatible with 40 countries. It can be used in Europe, America, and the Middle East with a 100-240V wide voltage range. No need to buy a converter for charging;
Multiple language interface, no worries about not understanding: The rental cabinet interface has 8 languages (English, French, German, Japanese, etc.) and the icons are intuitive - "per-use" is a calendar symbol, "hourly" is a clock symbol. You don't need to understand Chinese to operate;
Durable, can withstand extreme environments: The equipment is IP65 waterproof and dustproof. It can be used in the seaside, deserts, and at temperatures as low as -20°C in glaciers. "The equipment rented to Iceland didn't crash even after being frozen for half a day, and the explanations were very clear."

4. Intelligent management, no need to keep an eye on the equipment

Overseas scenic spots and enterprises managing rental equipment are most afraid of "not being able to calculate the inventory" and "not knowing how much has been used". Yingmi's cloud backend can handle this:
Real-time data viewing: Log in to the backend using a mobile phone or computer, you can see the status of each device (rented out/waiting for rental/to repair), the number of rentals for the day, and which mode is the most popular (per-use/hour). "Knowing that there are more people at 10 a.m., you can replenish the equipment in advance; knowing that the per-hour rental is the most popular, you can prepare more inventory of hourly rentals.";
Pre-warning of faults: When the equipment is running low on power or has a weak signal, the backend will alert, and the staff can handle it in time. "There has never been a situation where 'tourists rented out a device that ran out of power' again.";
Automatic bill generation: Bills are generated on a daily or monthly basis, with clear details (number of rentals, hours, cost). No need to calculate manually. "Financial reconciliation saves a lot of time for the finance department."

III. Overseas Testing: How Flexible Is the Yingmi Rental Model?

Whether the Yingmi rental model is user-friendly is not something that can be determined by mere words. It is demonstrated by overseas users in actual scenarios. Every piece of feedback is truly substantial:

1. Gulangyu Island, Xiamen: Hourly rental, handling peak season tourist flow

On Gulangyu Island, during the peak season, 10 overseas independent travel groups are received every day. They use Yingmi's hourly rental service:
Most tourists rent for 2-3 hours, visiting core attractions such as the Sunlight Rock and the Sushang Garden. The cost is 40% lower than that of hourly rental, and the rental rate has increased from 40% to 85%;
The operations manager, Sister Wang, said: "Previously, tourists often complained that 'hourly rental is too expensive and it's a waste if you can't finish visiting.' After changing to hourly rental, no one brought up this issue anymore, and the number of complaints was reduced by half. The system can also show peak hours, and we added 2 temporary rental cabinets. There was no longer a situation of 'tourists queuing to rent equipment'";
After returning the equipment, the rental cabinets charge and disinfect themselves. They can be fully charged within 3 hours, and the next batch of tourists can directly use them without the need for staff to handle it.

2. Huawei Dubai Exhibition: Hourly rental, convenient for receiving multiple teams

Huawei held a global supplier exhibition in Dubai. 3 teams (Germany, Japan, and the Middle East) used Yingmi's hourly rental:
For 3 rentals, each corresponding to 1.5 hours of a team's workshop visit, the cost was fixed, and there was no need to keep track of the clock;
Yingmi customized German, Japanese, and Arabic explanations in advance, and after activating the equipment, it automatically matched the corresponding language, "German suppliers immediately heard the German explanations and didn't need to switch, they all said 'professional'";
An additional French team was added 2 hours in advance, and the equipment was brought in within 1 hour. With 1 rental, there was no delay in the reception.

3. British Museum Special Exhibition: Hourly + Hourly Renewal, Meeting Different Needs

For the "Special Exhibition of Chinese Song Dynasty Porcelain" at the British Museum, Yingmi's hourly + hourly renewal model was used:
60% of the tourists rented for 1 time (including 1 hour) + renewed for 1 hour, "Some tourists said, 'The core exhibits are enough for 1 hour, and they want to see more of the cultural relics they like,' renewing the hour just met their needs";
A Swedish study tour group rented for 1 time, viewing the exhibition for 3 hours, and the cost was 25% lower than hourly rental, and they also got free Swedish language explanations, "The students listened attentively and even asked 'What are the meanings of the patterns on the porcelain'";
The guide department's Jones said: "Previously, using a single hourly rental, tourists either complained about the short time or the high cost. Now with this model, the complaint rate has dropped to zero.";

4. Icelandic Study Tour Group: Hourly Package, Handling 7-day itinerary

For the 7-day study tour group to Iceland, Yingmi's "7 times package" was used:
Visit 1 attraction per day, use 1 time, no need to rent equipment every day, the tour guide doesn't need to keep track of the time, "In places like glaciers, volcanoes, and waterfalls, the equipment is durable and has no problems";
The package cost 3,000 euros less than single-hour rental and also got free Icelandic language explanations, "The students could understand the supplementary introductions from the local tour guides and the experience was much better than before";
The study tour director Mark said: "Previously, renting separately, calculating money and returning equipment every day was very troublesome. Now with a complete package, everything is taken care of, it's convenient and cost-effective."

IV. Conclusion: There is no "best" rental model; only "suitability"

For overseas users, renting an interpreter is not a matter of choosing between "per session or per hour", but rather "which model suits my situation". Yingmi did in 2015 what broke the "one-size-fits-all" rule - free-time tours in scenic spots are charged by the hour to save costs, enterprise receptions are charged by the session to save effort, flexible updates for special exhibitions in museums are charged by session and hour, and long-term study tours are charged by package to be more cost-effective.
If you are also struggling to decide which rental model to choose, feel free to talk to Yingmi: visit the website www.it2002.com to view different rental plans for various scenarios; call the 24-hour multilingual hotline 400-990-7677, and the global service team will recommend the most suitable method based on whether you are using it for scenic spots, enterprises, or study tours, as well as traffic flow and budget. After all, a good rental service shouldn't make users adapt to the rules; it should be the rules that adapt to the users' needs - this is what Yingmi has always wanted to do.